2nd T20I, Southampton, September 06, 2020, 06:45 PM
Australia
157/7(20.0ov)
England
158/4(18.5ov)
England beat Australia by 6 wickets
So, that's that from the second T20I then. England have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the 3-match series and will look to win the last game as well, to effect a comprehensive whitewash against their arch-rivals. Australia, on the other hand, will want to put their best foot forward and ensure that they win the last game and go into the subsequent ODI series with a strong psychological footing. Who will have it their way? Join us on Tuesday, 8th September 2020 at 1800 Local (1700 GMT) for the third and final T20I. Until then, stay safe and take care!
JOS BUTTLER IS NAMED PLAYER OF THE MATCH! He says that he is happy with his performance and feels opening the batting is the best position to bat in T20 cricket. Like his skipper, he says that Archer set the tone with the ball for them. Praises Malan and Moeen for taking the pressure off during the run chase. Says that seeing the last game, he wanted to stay till the end and take the side home.
Eoin Morgan, England's skipper, says that it was a comprehensive win for them. Feels the batters started well. Praises the bowlers too for bowling well in the first six overs. Says that Jofra set the tone in the first over itself. On the question regarding Buttler continuing to open the batting, Morgan says that they will keep looking for options. On his injured finger, Morgan says that it is a bit sore and that they will have a check in the next couple of days.
Aaron Finch, the Aussie skipper, starts by telling that they were a few runs short but feels they couldn't do much with the ball in the Powerplay. Tells that he read the pitch wrong as the ball seamed a little more than they anticipated. Praises Buttler for the knock and says that he is taking on the good balls and one has to tip their hats off for him sometimes. Tells that they needed wickets at regular intervals and it was always going to be difficult to defend in the last couple of overs. Says that they felt that it might be tough to hit the spinners and hence he gave the over to Zampa but it didn't pay off. On the final game of the series, Finch says that they will try to field their best XI.
Stay tuned as the presentation ceremony is on its way...
Can't really fault the Aussies with the ball much. It would be harsh on them because once Buttler gets going, it would've always been difficult to stop him. They did well to dismiss Bairstow early but they looked clueless against Malan and Buttler. That partnership alone stole the initial momentum away from the visitors. Agar was good with the ball with 2 wickets to his name and Starc bowled well too. Zampa looked very out of touch with the ball and was hammered to all parts of the park by the English batters. The Australian bowlers though would feel that had some more runs been on the board, they could have defended better and one cannot discount that feeling.
England lost Bairstow early on but the second wicket partnership between Buttler and Malan more than sealed the game in their favour. And needless to add, the hosts have Buttler to thank for the victory as he stayed right till the end, hitting the winning runs as well. He lost Banton and then his skipper at the other end, but he held on to his end firmly. And then later, Moeen did well to strike a couple of blows to bring the Three Lions on the threshold of a victory.
Sensational run chase from England, unlike the Aussies who stuttered in the last game. It looked like we might be seeing some drama towards the end but Moeen's blow in the 19th over early on meant that the drama never happened and England cruised home quite easily. Fitting end in the end as it was Buttler who smoked a massive six to seal the match and the series.
18.5
6
SIX! Here's that hit and it comes off the willow of Buttler. What a strike to win the game. Tossed up around off, Buttler dances down the track and hammers it deep into the stands over long on. That went way back. ENGLAND WIN BY 6 WIICKETS AND THEY TAKE A 2-0 LEAD IN THIS 3-MATCH SERIES.
18.4
1
Now eases a run through the cover region. England just a hit away!
18.3
4
FOUR! Driven up and over! 10 from 2 and he takes England closer to the victory! Full and outside off, He hammers it over extra cover and fetches another boundary.
18.2
6
SIX! That is a body blow form Moeen. This will settle the nerves in the English camp! Tossed up and aroun off, Ali skips down the track and powers it over long off for a huge six.
18.1
1
Shortish and just around off, Buttler goes back and punches it to deep cover for a run.
In over# 1
1
1
0
1
1
1
Ashton Agar 27/2(4)
17.6
1
Single to end the over! Full and around off, Buttler pushes it towards long off for a single. 18 needed in the final 2 overs. Agar finishes with 2/27 from his 4 overs. Excellent bit of bowling this from him!
17.5
1
Darts this around off, Ali pushes it towards short third man and takes a quick run.
17.4
.
Fires this around off, Moeen comes down the track and then works it towards the mid-wicket fielder.
17.3
1
On middle, Buttler eases a run through mid-wickert.
Moeen Ali's strike-rate of 238.2 at the death in T20Is is the highest after Mohammad Nabi (241.3) among players from Test playing nations since 2019 (MIN: 50 runs)
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