David Warner struck a scorching century as Australia completed a problem free three-wicket win over England in the triangular series opener.
In what was a dress rehearsal for the side’s opening game of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, Eoin Morgan repaired early damage to England’s top order with a counter-attacking 121 which saw the score to 234 all out in 47.5 overs. No one else passed 30.
It wasn’t enough to deny Australia first blood as Warner’s 115-ball 127 gave the Australian the solid foundation to ease past the required score in 39.5 overs and secure a bonus point.
It was Warner’s third ODI century, his first for nearly three years. He has been in incredible Test form and is keen to add more consistency to the one-day arena. He notched 18 boundaries and escaped a tough missed chance to keeper Jos Buttler when on 70 when he edged Chris Jordan.
His century came in 97 balls, when he increased the rate to reach the total inside 40 overs, to collect the additional point. He finally fell to a Chris Woakes slower ball which he skied to Ian Bell at point.
Earlier, Morgan had outscored the rest of his team put together to steer his side to a respectable, if unthreatening total.
Earlier, it was skipper Morgan’s 121 in 136 balls that had rescued some respectability after the top order failed to fire and were reduced to 33 for four in the ninth over. His 11 fours and 3 sixes and shared a 67-run partnership with Buttler (28) for the sixth wicket to avoid embarrassment.
A 56-run partnership with Jordan, who made 17, for the eighth wicket further boosted a score that was never going to be enough to trouble the Australians.
James Buttler
As the editor of World Cricket Badger he is intent on building the website to give quality coverage of the domestic game around the world.
He is also the presenter of the Cricket Badger Radio Show on Radio Yorkshire every Tuesday evening between 7-9pm UK time.
James was the full-time Media Manager at Yorkshire County Cricket Club between 2007 and 2010.
James is a published author, a writer/video contributor to many cricket publications and a complete cricket badger!
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