England's batting has been slammed as "poor" and "reckless" in the second ODI against Australia after they lost their last seven wickets for just 52 runs and capitulated to a 72 run defeat.
The win sealed a 2-0 series victory for Australia, who posted 280-8 in their innings with Steve Smith top scoring with 94 and Marnus Labuschagne and Mitchell Marsh also making half-centuries.
In response, England lost three early wickets in the powerplay, with Mitchell Starc removing both Jason Roy and Dawid Malan in the opening over for ducks. However, James Vince and Sam Billings shared an excellent 122 run partnership to rebuild the innings, with both players passing fifty.
But with England having seven wickets in hand, needing less than a run a ball to win the match and a lengthy batting line-up, they collapsed after Vince fell lbw to Josh Hazlewood in the 28th over for a well-made 60.
England went from being in control at 156-3 to 208 all out, with Starc and Adam Zampa picking up the remaining six wickets between them. And Australian spinner Chris Green was highly critical of the way England's innings collapsed.
Speaking on BBC Test Match Special, he said: "England had the game in complete control with the partnership of Sam Billings and James Vince but you've got to say it was poor batting after that. The dismissals were pretty reckless and they didn't show much fight at all."
Since Jos Buttler took over as white-ball captain after Eoin Morgan's international retirement, England have failed to win an ODI series. However, the format will now take centre stage for England as they focus on defending the 50-over World Cup trophy they won in 2019.
"England are not at their best, to be fair," former Australia bowler Stuart Clark added. "They are on their way down from the high of the World Cup while Australia have a point to prove after crashing out. But that World Cup is over and England are in the rebuilding phase now for the next one.
"That's what everyone is working towards and there are spots up for grabs. They've got to create good habits, good partnerships and working as a team. Spots will be up for grabs in that team, so everyone's got to be playing well."
