England set up a decider against Australia at Bristol on Sunday after levelling the ODI series in emphatic fashion with a rain-affected 186-run victory at Lord's. In a contest reduced to 39 overs per side, Harry Brook followed up his maiden ODI hundred on Tuesday with a scintillating 87 off 58 balls before Liam Livingstone's staggering demonstration of six-hitting. Livingstone belted seven in total, including four in Mitchell Starc's final over which yielded 28, to equal Andrew Flintoff's record for the most sixes in an ODI at Lord's as England posted 312 for five.
Australia raced to 68 without loss in reply but stumbled to 96 for six after Brydon Carse and Jofra Archer, in his first ODI at the home of cricket since the 2019 World Cup final, turned up the heat. On a sticky pitch offering assistance under lights, the pair each exceeded 90mph to take five of the first six wickets. Carse finished with three for 36 with Archer collecting two for 33.
Matthew Potts claimed four for 38 as England backed up their win in Chester-le-Street this week and the momentum is now firmly with them, having come from 2-0 down to level the five-match series at 2-2. Another triumph over the 50-over world champions was built on a fantastic batting display after rain delayed the start by more than two hours, although Australia were initially on top having won the toss. Starc and Josh Hazlewood were exemplary, settling into Test-match lengths in helpful conditions to repeatedly trouble England's open.
