England vs Australia: Liam Livingstone scores historic half-century as England dominate Australia with 186-run win | Cricket News

Liam Livingstone made history with the fastest ODI half-century at Lord’s as England registered a 186-run win over Australia in the fourth ODI to level the series 2-2.

After England were sent to bat by Australia, Livingstone came into the game late and had just 8.4 overs to get to work and count, seven sixes and three fours coming from his innings, his 50 coming from just 25 deliveries and his unbeaten 62 a sensational show.

His eye-catching performance was rounded off in the final over of the innings when Mitchell Starc (0-70) was sent off for four sixes and a four, helping to set a new record of 12 sixes at Lord’s by one team.

There were also important contributions from Ben Duckett (64) and captain Harry Brook (87), with England posting their highest ever score in ODI cricket.

Australia had set a challenging target of 313 to win the game and the series overall. It got off to a strong start but then fell apart, with six wickets falling in seven overs, with Brydon Carse (3-36), Jofra Archer (2-33) and Matthew Potts (4-38) making their mark, the visitors able ultimately only scoring 126 runs on the board before being bowled out.

The five-game series will now be decided on Sunday in Bristol.

Livingstone steals the show with a record-breaking 50

After a rain delay of more than two hours, the game was reduced to 39 overs per team. England took their time to grow into the innings, time was short and the pitch was full of movement so they had to work hard.

Australia struck early, Phil Salt (22) falling to Josh Hazlewood (1-40) and Will Jacks (10) to captain Mitch Marsh (1-27), leaving England at 72-2 after 14 overs and with work to do .

From then on, however, two early stars came to the fore, opener Duckett, who galloped to his half-century in 51 balls, four fours and a six, with Brook providing excellent support.

While Duckett built a strong partnership with Brook, there was some classic Lord’s wicketkeeping drama with Josh Inglis making a big appeal thinking he had caught Brook in the 17th over. However, a review by the umpire revealed that the stadium was closed and boos could be heard in the home of cricket.

After the keeper drama and Duckett’s dismissal by Adam Zampa (2-66) in the 23rd over, Brook continued to score with sensational ease as he continued his good form from the third ODI in Durham, scoring his fourth ODI in 50 minutes off just 37 deliveries.

Although it looked like Brook would reach his second ODI hundred in two games, a sensational catch from Glenn Maxwell (1-30) on the boundary off a Zampa ball saw him reach 87, 11 fours and a six scored in a brilliant strike.

With England at 232-4, Jamie Smith (39) was then denied by a delivery from Maxwell, leaving England with seven overs and five wickets to increase their score as much as possible.

Livingstone took the opportunity to play with aggressive freedom and launch an incredible attack. 62 runs with seven sixes thrilled the crowd and even the most experienced death bowler in Starc couldn’t stop him from scoring as he helped reach an impressive target of 313.

Potts, Carse and Archer bat as Australia’s batters falter

It was expected that Australia would be at full strength after a tough run-rate required, and they got off to a flying start, with Mitch Marsh (28) and Travis Head (34) quickly reaching a score of 10 after the eight-over powerplay 66-0 – the highest ever achieved by a visiting team at Lord’s.

Despite their exceptional start, England continued to attack and found the moment to attack: six wickets fell for just 28 runs from 43 deliveries.

After the ever-dangerous Head was bowled over by a brilliant carse ball, Potts took the opportunity to dismiss Steve Smith (10), a Jaffa from Archer and then the Australian skipper in the 12th over.

Carse then continued to throw beautiful shots and was rewarded when he added two more to his three in the 15th over, taking Josh Inglis (8) and Marnus Labuschagne (4) ahead.

The onslaught continued in the 16th, with Archer dismissing Maxwell (0) for a duck as Australia were decimated 96-6.

Potts then decided it was his time to shine, knocking out Sean Abbott (10) in the 22nd over, then both Alex Carey (13) and Adam Zampa (0) in the 24th over, leaving Australia at 122 :9 faltered.

It was then left to veteran spinner Adil Rashid (1-11) to finish things off and secure his 50th ODI wicket by bowling Josh Haazlewood (0) to secure England’s 186-run win.

After winning 14 ODIs in a row, Australia have now suffered two consecutive defeats against England.

Marsh: We were outplayed | Brook: We bowled wonderfully

Player of the match and England captain Harry Brook:

“We took advantage of all the positive aspects and momentum and brought it here.

“Duckett, we know how good he is at the top and that he is extremely difficult to bowl.”

“Livingstone, we know what he’s capable of and he showed it tonight.”

“We simply identify the times when we need to apply pressure.

“They bowled beautifully and smashed the lengths beautifully on an interesting wicket.”

“Archer bowled quickly with some bounce and seam. Hopefully we can see more of this in the future.”

Australia captain Mitchell Marsh:

“We were a bit off today but, to be fair to England, they put us under pressure.”

“They outdid us today.

“Probably a little above average but Liam Livingstone played a great innings.”

“In a chase like this you need a few strong partners and a few people to get going.”

“England bowled well. That’s cricket.”

“Bristol will be a great experience, England have come back strong.”

England vs Australia schedule – all games live on Sky Sports

Regard the fifth and final ODI between England and Australia at the Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol live on Sky Sports Cricket from 10.30am on Sunday September 29 (first ball, 11am). With NOW you can also stream contract-free.