Former World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan described Harry Brook’s captaincy in the England team as a “baptism of fire” after Australia defeated them for a second consecutive time to go 2-0 in the five-match ODI series. The reigning ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup champions continued their stunning winning run in ODIs to 14 with a 68-run win over England in the second match of the five-match series at Headingley, Leeds.
However, Morgan did pick some positives from the game for his batting. “The positives from Trent Bridge would have been the batting. Ben Duckett and Will Jacks formed a strong partnership, giving us a very solid platform against a very good Australian side. Today, the positives probably lie with the ball,” he said in an interview.
He acknowledged that though bowlers from England were less consistent compared to Australians, such challenges are part of a learning curve for an evolving team.
“This is a baptism of fire for Brook right now, facing heavy defeats against a strong opponent,”
Morgan added.
Morgan said that the England squad could see key changes as the team gears up for the ensuing tours to possibly include India and the ICC Champions Trophy next year. “The ODI side could have a different look to it when we go to India for the tour or the Champions Trophy, with the possibility of guys like Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, and Joe Root coming back into the team. Therefore, it is very important for these young players to seize this series and the one against West Indies,” he said.
England seemed to have the better of their opponents at Headingley, having Australians struggle at 89 for 3. But Mitchell Marsh, particularly Alex Carey, bailed them out, making 67-ball 74. The important 49-run last-wicket stand with Josh Hazlewood saw Australia recover to post 270 runs in the end.
In response, Australian pacers ran riot over England’s top order, reducing it to 65 for 5 before Jamie Smith and Jacob Bethell led the fightback for the lower order to take the score into a respectable total. The second ODI will be played at Chester-le-Street on September 24 as Australia tries to seal top position in men’s ODIs.
