England are starting to show why they have a very real chance of claiming a second T20 World Cup after putting the reigning champions away with ease.
Dawid Malan and Moeen Ali stepped up with the bat, while Sam Curran showed his all round value with a series-winning performance to put the Aussies to bed with a game to spare. An eight run win over a full strength Aussie lineup in Canberra meant a 2-0 lead with just one game left on Friday, and was another ideal stepping stone towards the T20 World Cup with Curran and Malan playing the starring roles.
Malan's 82 was the mainstay of the England innings of 178-7, but while Australia fielded as though the ball was lathered in vaseline, England’s fielding was on another level entirely and their five catches from five chances also made a big difference. Curran’s 3-25, including the 20th over shut out, made it his night with the ball, but Malan’s highest score against the Aussies was the perfect way to celebrate his 50th T20 game for England.
“It is always nice to contribute towards a win,” said Malan, who received his 50th cap from assistant coach Mike Hussey. “Hopefully that puts me in good stead for the tournament. I have started to find my rhythm and hopefully this can keep going from here.”
Skipper Jos Buttler added: “Dawid is a high class player and he showed that tonight. He got his 50th cap and he’s done it against every attack in the world, he was outstanding.”
Stuck into bat England found themselves in a spot of bother at 54-4 with Alex Hales, Ben Stokes and Harry Brook falling for single figures before Malan and Moeen's rebuilding job. Malan was relegated to No.7 in the first game to make way for the big hitters to cash in on a fast start, but here he was superb at first drop with four sixes and seven boundaries to show he can hit a long ball too.
With Moeen’s easy timing to the fore, the pair added 92 from just 51 balls and give their bowlers something to work with. It might not have been as successful as it was had Australia taken any of the four chances they put down including when Moeen was on just one and Glenn Maxwell spilled a dolly at backward point.
Aussie skipper Aaron Finch admitted: “We were very sloppy in the field and that was the difference tonight.” David Warner suffered a double blow when he dropped Moeen on the point boundary, mistiming his jump and then smacking his head into the turf as he landed which required a concussion check.
He was given the all clear to bat at the start of the second innings, but it was a knock to forget as he chipped a leading edge to cover for just four from 11 balls. Mitch Marsh and Tim David threatened to haul Australia towards their target, but each time they inched ahead, a wicket would pin them back.
