England 112 for 2 (Buttler 65*, Malan 23, Cummins 1-23) vs Australia 30 for 3 (Stoinis 8*, Woakes 3-4) – Match abandoned
Under pressure Aaron Finch and Glenn Maxwell fell cheaply, but Australia avoided a clean sweep against England after the T20I series finale in Canberra was abandoned due to rain.
After two rain delays in England’s innings reduced the match to 12 overs a side, Australia were in a major hole at 30 for 3 chasing a revised target of 130 before inclement weather ended proceedings with seven deliveries still needed for a result.
An impressive England have started their T20 World Cup preparation in style after winning the opening two games, played in Perth and Canberra, in mirroring eight-run victories, while Australia have unresolved questions ahead of a title defence.
Buttler fires again, Stokes’ late cameo
Expected rain caused havoc in England’s innings, totalling 90 minutes, and a truncated match ensued. After being sent in for the third straight match, England were 73 for 2 in the 10th over when the second rain delay hit.
On resumption, with their innings almost over, Buttler and Ben Stokes knew they had to go all-out attack. Stokes, who had endured two failures in this series since being backed to bat up the order, didn’t waste time with a pulled six off Maxwell’s first ball back in an indication of what was ahead.
Player-of-the-Series Buttler then took over with an assault on quick Josh Hazlewood in the penultimate over, smashing 22 runs to punctuate his brilliant return from injury.
In better signs, Stokes was more fluent with 17 off 10 balls although he had a brain fade on the final ball when he smashed Maxwell down the ground and didn’t run thinking he had hit a boundary. But Steve Smith cut it off in the deep forcing a flustered Stokes to scamper for a single amid a near run out in a farcical end to England’s innings.
Woakes tears through Australia
Woakes was denied a hat-trick but picked up Maxwell shortly after to cap his stunning opening burst of 3 for 4 off 2 overs. With competition for England’s quicks fierce, with Sam Curran having starred in the opening two games before being rested, Woakes issued a reminder that he’s arguably England’s best new ball bowler.
Australia’s batting continues to misfire
With David Warner resting after a neck injury sustained while landing awkwardly in the field in game two, struggling Maxwell joined Finch at the top. Both batters failed once again with Maxwell’s rut now extending to 24 runs in his last seven T20I innings.
Through his all-round talents with ball and in the field, which he showed off with a masterful sliding save in the deep late in England’s innings, Maxwell is an almost certain starter for Australia’s opening T20 World Cup clash against New Zealand but pressure is building.
Smith, who earned a reprieve and replaced Warner, would have rued the inclement conditions as he tried to push his claim for a place. He was on 7 from eight balls when the match was finally abandoned.
Tristan Lavalette is a journalist based in Perth