Australia seek another series win
The Big Picture
What more can England do? Well, perhaps not bowl half-volleys in the dying stages of a run chase, but apart from that they played as well in the Brisbane ODI as they have on this whole tour of Australia. Still, they lost. They were effectively 'Faulknered'. It will be difficult for England not to slump after getting their hopes up only to have them dashed, but they should take confidence from the Gabba match. They scored 300, Eoin Morgan became their first century-maker since Ben Stokes in the Perth Test, Ian Bell looked in good touch until he was run out, their fielding was good - a lot went right for England. They can enter the third match in Sydney with belief, if they can convince themselves to do so. They must avoid telling themselves that the Gabba heist proves Australia are unbeatable.
James Faulkner hit Tim Bresnan for three consecutive fours to win the game, Australia v England, 2nd ODI, Gabba, January 17, 2014
England were 'Faulknered' in Brisbane, now they must win in Sydney to keep the series alive
For Australia, this is a chance to secure the five-match series after three games. It would be the first time in five campaigns that a team followed an Ashes win with an accompanying victory in the one-dayers. The road to No.1 in the world would become that little bit shorter. Their challenge is to avoid complacency. Faulkner got them out of jail - Michael Clarke's disbelieving smile after the match showed that he knew it. The rest of the players must not take the win for granted. England can beat them. Much of Australia's pace bowling was off the mark in Brisbane; they need to find their line once again. And if they can extend England's pain one more match, they will celebrate another series win in Sydney.
The Big Picture
What more can England do? Well, perhaps not bowl half-volleys in the dying stages of a run chase, but apart from that they played as well in the Brisbane ODI as they have on this whole tour of Australia. Still, they lost. They were effectively 'Faulknered'. It will be difficult for England not to slump after getting their hopes up only to have them dashed, but they should take confidence from the Gabba match. They scored 300, Eoin Morgan became their first century-maker since Ben Stokes in the Perth Test, Ian Bell looked in good touch until he was run out, their fielding was good - a lot went right for England. They can enter the third match in Sydney with belief, if they can convince themselves to do so. They must avoid telling themselves that the Gabba heist proves Australia are unbeatable.
James Faulkner hit Tim Bresnan for three consecutive fours to win the game, Australia v England, 2nd ODI, Gabba, January 17, 2014
England were 'Faulknered' in Brisbane, now they must win in Sydney to keep the series alive
For Australia, this is a chance to secure the five-match series after three games. It would be the first time in five campaigns that a team followed an Ashes win with an accompanying victory in the one-dayers. The road to No.1 in the world would become that little bit shorter. Their challenge is to avoid complacency. Faulkner got them out of jail - Michael Clarke's disbelieving smile after the match showed that he knew it. The rest of the players must not take the win for granted. England can beat them. Much of Australia's pace bowling was off the mark in Brisbane; they need to find their line once again. And if they can extend England's pain one more match, they will celebrate another series win in Sydney.