Australia vs England, 2nd T20I, Top Performances: Dawid Malan's 82, Marcus Stoinis' 3-34 and Sam Curran's 3-25 are top performances. England beat Australia by 8 runs in 2nd T20I and lead three match series by 2-0.
Brief Scores: England 178/7 (Malan 82, Moeen Ali 44, Stoinis 3-34) beat Australia 170/6 (Mitchell Marsh 45, David 40, Sam Curran 3-25) by 8 runs
Player of the Match: Dawid Malan - 82 (49)
After narrowly losing the first T20I in Perth by 8 runs, hosts Australia, led by Aaron Finch, took on England at the Manuka Oval in Canberra on Wednesday, in an attempt to even the series. For this game, the Australian team got back their pace battery trio of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc bowling together. Glenn Maxwell replaced in-form Cameron Green.
While England yet again managed to put up a show today, thanks to Dawid Malan’s brilliant 82-run innings which got them to a total of 178/7 runs in their 20 overs. Moeen Ali along with Dawid Malan also chipped in with his crucial 44 (27) with 2 massive sixes and 4 boundaries at the end of the innings to ensure England finish well and above the par score at the Manuka Oval.
While England’s middle order was on song on Wednesday, Australia’s Marcus Stoinis bowled beautifully picking up three crucial wickets of Dawid Malan, Alex Hales and Harry Brook. On the other hand leg-spinner, Adam Zampa also got dangerous looking Moeen Ali and Ben Stokes.
Australia fail to chase target against England again
Like their previous match, the Australians did not have a great outing in Canberra on Wednesdsay as well. While Australia’s top-order failed to perform to their fullest on Wednesday, only Mitchell Marsh looked confident to do some miracle for them but just when things started to look a bit normal for them, Ben Stokes got Marsh out caught at deep square leg, turning the match on its head. David Warner (4) also failed to give Australia a good start, and Steve Smith’s absence also hurt them like a bullet in the chest.
Tim David yet again proved the worth of his place in this Australian side playing some breathtaking shots over covers and long on to keep their hopes alive, but in the end, his knock of 40 was not enough for Australia to seal the deal.
The pick of the England bowlers was yet again the 24-year-old T20 specialist Sam Curran who took three crucial wickets of Glenn Maxwell (8), Tim David (40) and Marcus Stoinis (22) at critical junctures giving his side an upperhand in the game.
Let's discuss the top three performances from the 2nd T20I in Canberra between England and Australia.
Dawid Malan outplayus Australia (82 off 49)
Dawid Malan proved why he was considered the world's number 1 T20I batter for a long time. Talking about him, Malan is one such player who provides flexibility to this England batting line-up. England use him as a floater; whenever the conditions are tough, Malan walks in and makes things look easier for them. On Wednesday also it was no exception, Malan walked in when the team was in trouble making crucial 82 runs at a hefty strike rate of 167.34 helping his team reach a formidable total of 178/7.
Sam Curran returns best figures in the match (3-25)
Sam Curran was nothing short of remarkable on Wednesday. Showing why he is considered one of the best fast-bowling all-rounders in the world. The 24-year-old Sam Curran took three crucial Australian wickets which are certainly considered as Australia’s powerhouse - Maxwell, Stoinis and Tim David. Coming into the squad after having a decent 1st T20I in Perth. Sam Curran showed all his class in the 2nd T20I, registering figures of 4-0-25-3 at an economy of just 6.25 runs per over.
Considering that it was a high-scoring encounter, it takes extraordinary skills to bowl a four-over spell of 3-25 that is both economical and wicket-taking and it shows the class Curran possesses.
Read More: Aus vs Eng, 1st T20I, 2022-23: Buttler-Hales destructive 132-run opening stand takes England one up
Marcus Stoinis shines with the ball (3-34)
Although the dangerous trio of Hazlewood, Cummins and Starc returned for the 2nd T20I, it was Marcus Stoinis who showed his skills with the ball. Bowling some brilliant and deceptive slower ones in the middle, Stoinis has always been underrated as a seam bowler. Though his recent records show that he is a genuine wicket-taker and has a knack of taking wickets at regular intervals.
The all-rounder from Western Australia continued his impressive start to the series by dismissing Alex Hales (4) and Harry Brook (1) and ultimately getting the star of the match, Malan (82), registering figures of 4-0-34-3 with a decent economy of 8.50 runs per over.
What’s to Come
The two sides will take on each other in the third and final T20I of the series at the same venue in Canberra on October 14.
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