After weeks of Twenty20 cricket, it suddenly felt like everyone had time to breathe. With the luxury of space in the 50-over form, Dawid Malan assembled one of his best innings to carry England to 287 for nine, before David Warner’s typical riposte set Australia off to a running start, allowing them to walk down 291 for four in 47 overs. Starting a three-match one-day international series, the home team left Adelaide Oval leading 1-0.
Discontent from England players about this series arriving so soon after the T20 World Cup has been well documented, and was reflected in the one-day team that took the field. Of those finalists, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Adil Rashid and Chris Woakes were rested. The only ones who played were Malan, who missed the final, captain Jos Buttler, and late-tournament injury replacements Chris Jordan and Phil Salt. The other seven spots in the side were taken up by new arrivals.
