England chased down the meager 126-run total against Australia tonight in 11.4 overs to remain unbeaten in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021.
The eight-wicket victory is the third consecutive win for Eoin Morgan’s men who have grown into serious title contenders for the mega event.
This marks Australia’s biggest defeat in terms of balls (50) in T20Is and their biggest loss in terms of wickets (8) at the men’s T20 World Cup.
Alike Pakistan, England are the only team in this tournament to have won their first three games.
Both teams have their one foot into the semi-finals.
They are brimming with confidence and have obtained six points so far.
Jordan picks MOTM
Chris Jordan did not let the Aussies take the game away from them in the death overs.
While it seemed like Australians may have gotten back into the game, Jordan remained calm and continued to bowl in the block holes.
His 3/17 included Aaron Finch, Steve Smith and Pat Cummins’s scalps.
He was awarded the Player of the Match trophy for dismantling Australia’s batting line-up.
“Trying to keep it simple, go with the rhythm of the game, hold our length, be nice and straight, and the way the boys batted was unbelievable,” Jordan said after the game.
“I backed my yorkers, stick your strengths and keep improving your game. So many players trying to make the team, but let everything else take care of itself.”
Chris Woakes (2/23) was sensational on his return along with all-rounder Liam Livingstone (1/15) who never the Australia batsmen go ballistic.
Adil Rashid went for 1/19.
Only Tymal Mills seemed to be the weak link for the Englishmen in tonight’s showdown as Australia’s tail targeted his death overs to get important runs.
He went for 2/45.
Buttler capitalizes on a great start
Jos Buttler stamped his authority from the beginning against the Kangaroos.
The wicket-keeper struck a 32-ball 71 which included five mammoth sixes and five fours.
In the words of Liam Livingstone, this inning showed why Buttler is the best batter in T20I cricket.
Buttler never allowed the Aussies to get back into the contest despite a top-notch fight back at the end of the first half.
He never let the run rate be an issue with a flurry of boundaries.
“Great depth in our line-up, then a pleasure to watch a genius at work [in Buttler]. He’s the best hitter of a white ball in the world. A clinic of white-ball hitting,” Livington said in a post-game interview after not having to swing his bat in the middle tonight.
Australia captain Aaron Finch was all praise for Buttler as well.
“We had to bowl them out, no issues there, but Buttler played a hell of an innings,” he said.
The skipper, who is also known for playing fiery knocks up the order, played out of his skin for Australia.
He played a sluggish knock of 44 (49) as the batters struggled to smack England bowlers for boundaries in the initial overs of the first half.
Morgan’s unit has adjusted to the UAE’s condition extremely well.
The skipper is glad to see his openers in good form.
“The openers look in really good form, Roy MoM against Bangladesh and Buttler following suit,” Morgan said.
England 126 for 2 (Buttler 71*) beat Australia 125 (Finch 44, Jordan 3-17) by eight wickets.