So, that's it! What a (practice) match we have had between the defending champions of the ICC Cricket World Cup, Australia, and the favourites this season to win the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, England. Put to bat first, Australia rode on a brilliant century by Steve Smith, who scored 116 to help Australia post a challenging total of 297/9 on the board. In reply, England got off to a good start thanks to some sloppy fielding by Australia but kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Jos Buttler showed his magic and scored 52 off 31 balls, but was dismissed soon. James Vince got a half-century too but missed the chance to guide his team home.
However, some great bowling by Jason Behrendorff and Nathan Lyon added by sensible death over bowling and fielding by Marcus Stoinis did the job for Australia as they triumphed England by 12 runs. England could manage 285/10 in reply to Australia's 297/9 and lost the game by 12 runs.
OUT! Jofra Archer becomes the last England wicket to fall, as Australia wins the match by 12 runs. Marcus Stoinis effected a run-out and bowled well at the end in the last over to dismiss Liam Plunkett. England could manage 285/10 in reply to Australia's 297/9.
Has Marcus Stoinis done the job for Australia? The all-rounder gave away just 3 runs. However, it was his run out which got out Chris Woakes off his own bowling that can be the difference between victory and defeat.
OUT! Just as England seemed to be getting over the target, Chris Woakes departs at a crucial stage. Stoinis produces an important run-out off his own bowling. Woakes played an useful hand but was undone by hard-luck and clever fielding by Stoinis. CR Woakes run out by Stoinis 40 (44 balls).
Chris Woakes and Liam Plunkett are doing the job for England. The match seems to be going England's way as they need 24 off 18 balls. Can Australia produce some magic to win this game?
Nathan Lion finishes his 10 overs with figures of 37/1. Chris Woakes and Liam Plunkett are fighting for England. England needs 31 off 24 balls to win the match. Australia need 3 wickets to win the match.
OUT! Just as it seemed that England would comfortably get home, Kane Richardson picks up the wicket of Tom Curran. However, it is Woakes who is doing the damage for Australia with 32 off 33 balls. Curran tried to cut the ball to get a boundary towards third man but found the man at short third man. TK Curran c Khawaja b Richardson 2 (5 Balls).
OUT! Moin Ali dismissed at the wrong time for England. Australia couldn't have asked for a wicket at the right time. MM Ali c Richardson b Zampa 22 (26 Balls).
Though England is way ahead of where Australia was at the end of 40th over, the concern of England is that they have two relatively new batsmen on the crease. Though Woakes and Ali can bat, England will definitely need an experienced hand to guide them home in the run chase.
OUT! Yet another soft dismissal for England. James Vince loses his wicket as he tries to guide the ball to third man, only to find the short third man. Vince was the set batsman for England and was looking good for his side. However, his wicket turns things for England as Behrendorff continues to have a great bowling exercise. JM Vince c Lyon b Behrendorff 64 (76 Balls).
OUT! Jos Buttler dismissed by Coulter-Nile after he brings up his fifty off 30 balls. The right-handed batsman will be disappointed with the soft dismissal. Buttler was threatening to run-away with the match but Australia put the brakes just at the right time. Khawaja takes an easy catch at mid-wicket. JC Buttler c Khawaja b Coulter-Nile 52 (31 Balls).
The Jos Buttler show has begun! England's right-handed talismanic batsman hit 2 sixes and 3 fours off Coulter-Nile's over in the 28th over of the match, This is the most expensive over of the match, so far.
James Vince is close to his fifty. Adam Zampa has completed four overs but failed to pick a wicket. However, Nathan Lyon picked the important wicket of Ben Stokes. England are 127-3 half-way through the innings. Buttler and Vince are on the crease.
OUT! Ben Stokes stumped by Alex Carey off the bowling of Nathan Lyon. Ben Stokes fails to make much of an impact, out for 20 off 32 balls. Trying to take the aerial rule, Stokes misses the ball completely as Carey does te rest behind the stumps. BA Stokes st Carey b Lyon 20 (32).
England moving ahead with confidence. However, they are still behind the required run-rate but they won't mind that as they have the likes of Buttler later in the innings. Australia has bowled well but would have liked to have another wicket in their kitty. England need 201 runs off 180 balls to win the match. Australia requires 8 wickets to defeat England.
The match is evenly poised as England end 15 overs with the score of 72 runs, for the loss of 2 wickets. James Vince is batting well but has a long way to go if he wants to be the hero in this chase. Ben Stokes has joined him on the crease as the competition gets exciting.
OUT! Jason Roy's uncertain innings comes to an end. Kane Richardson tastes success in his second over. Roy tries to muscle the ball but ends up sending the ball in the air as Nathan Lyon takes the catch. JJ Roy c Lyon b Richardson 32(37b).
Hosts England will take on arch-rivals and defending champions Australia in the third warm-up match of ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 at The Rose Bowl, Southampton. England are a confident lot as they recently beat Pakistan 4-0 in an ODI series at home, with their batting line-up showing their potential. Australia, on the other hand, also beat Pakistan in the five-match ODI series by 5-0 at UAE. Stay tuned for ENG vs AUS live score updates. England vs Australia Cricket Score 3rd Warm-up ODI Match.
While England has been in stunning form, Australia is peaking just at the right time, say experts. The inclusion of David Warner and Steve Smith into the side after the ball tempering row has surely added to the spirits of the kangaroos. Warner, in particular, has been in great form and Smith provides Australia with the stability they needed in the middle-order.
England Squad: Eoin Morgan (Captain), Joe Root, Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Johnny Bairstow (wk), Jos Buttler(wk), Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.
Australia Squad: Aaron Finch (captain), David Warner, Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Usman Khawaja, Nathon Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 25, 2019 02:20 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).