1st ODI, Adelaide Oval
England 287-9 (50 overs): Milan 134 (128); Zampa 3-55, Cummins 3-62
Australia 291-4 (46.5 overs): Warner 86 (84), Smith 80* (78), Head 69 (57); Wiley 2-51
Australia won by six wickets.
Australia defeated England by six wickets in the first ODI played in Adelaide.
Chasing 288 for victory, David Warner (86), Travis Head (69) and Steve Smith (80*) left the hosts with 19 balls to spare.
England scored 287-9 in their 50 overs, with David Mullan’s knock of 134 off 128 balls, recovering to 31-3 and 118-5.
The remaining games of the three-match series will be played on Saturday and Tuesday from 03:20 GMT.
Three of England’s T20 World Cup-winning team – captain Jos Buttler, Phil Salt and Chris Jordan – played, while Moeen Ali, who called it “terrifying” to play the game four days after Sunday’s victory, Sam Curran, Adil Rashid and Chris Jordan. Wex sat outside.
It created opportunities for others, with opener Jason Roy returning after being left out of the World Cup squad, but was bowled by Mitchell Starc for six.
David Willey (51-2-2) impressed by dismissing Warner and Marence Libeschen in the middle overs, to lead his unbeaten 34, while left-arm spinner Liam Dawson took 1-65 in a scant 1-65. Bowled with a reward.
Malan Drags England to Score
England will be concerned about their top-order’s struggles – they have now gone past 100 for the loss of three wickets just once in six games – especially with their 50-over World Cup defense now in India. Less than 12 months to go.
It was their highest score since Jos Buttler took over the captaincy, after a series defeat to India and a draw against South Africa in the home summer, but it was as good as anything.
He lost regular wickets, with a stand of 60 for the eighth wicket between Milan and David Willey being the highest in the innings.
Milan’s innings was brilliant. Buttler and head coach Matthew Mott opted to “rest” him for Sunday’s T20 World Cup final after he returned to the squad after recovering from a back injury sustained in England’s final Super 12 match.
He persevered until he reached his century – his second in one-day internationals – off 107 balls.
The 35-year-old was typically strong with his legs and hips, regularly strolling and flicking into the leg side, while he bowled spinners Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar for six.
This takes his ODI average to 64.71, but with the likes of Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Liam Livingstone, Harry Brooke, Ben Duckett still likely to return to the squad, there is no guarantee that Milan will also be on board for the world. Cup next October, let alone in the team.
