Liam Livingstone scored the quickest ODI half-century at Lord’s as England cruised to a 186-run victory over Australia in the fourth ODI, tying the series at 2-2.
Australia put England to bat, and Livingstone arrived late. He was allowed just 8.4 overs to work with, but he made an impact, hitting seven sixes and three fours during his innings, reaching 50 from just 25 deliveries, and putting on an incredible display with an unbeaten 62. Mitchell Starc (0-70), who helped create a new record of 12 sixes at Lord’s by one team, was dispatched for four sixes and a four in the penultimate over of the innings, encapsulating his remarkable performance.Ben Duckett (64) and skipper Harry Brook (87) both made significant contributions, as England scored the highest ODI cricket score ever on this field. Australia began the match well, taking six wickets in seven overs as Brydon Carse (3-36), Jofra Archer (2-33), and Matthew Potts (4-38) made their marks. Despite setting a lofty target of 313 to win the match and series overall, the visitors were only able to muster 126 runs before being bowled out.
The series’ next fifth matchs will now be decided in Bristol on Sunday.Play was limited to 39 overs per side following a rain delay that lasted over two hours. England took their time to build an innings, using up time on a wicket that moved, making them work hard. Australia struck first, with Will Jacks (10) falling to captain Mitch Marsh (1-27) and Phil Salt (22) to Josh Hazlewood (1-40), leaving England on 72-2 after 14 overs with work to do.
But from that point on, two early heroes emerged. First, Duckett, the opener, cantered to his half-century from 51 balls with four fours and one six, and Brook played excellent companion to him.
Josh Inglis made a major appeal, believing he had caught Brook behind in the 17th over, during some classic Lord’s wicketkeeper drama as Duckett and Brook developed a solid partnership. Nevertheless, an umpire review revealed that it was grounded, and the cricket home was rocked by jeers.
Brook carried on his excellent form from the third ODI at Durham, bringing up his fourth ODI fifty in just 37 deliveries, despite the keeper drama and Duckett’s dismissal by Adam Zampa (2-66) in the 23rd over.Brook appeared to be coasting to his second ODI hundred in as many outings, but a superb innings that included 11 fours and a six was stopped by a spectacular catch made by Glenn Maxwell (1-30) on the boundary from a Zampa delivery. After being dismissed by a Maxwell delivery with England trailing 232-4, England had seven overs and five wickets remaining to increase their score as much as possible. Jamie Smith (39) fell next.
Taking that as an opportunity, Livingstone unleashed an incredible assault, scoring 62 runs with seven sixes to amaze the audience. Not even the most seasoned death bowler, Starc, could stop him from scoring as he helped set a tough goal of 313 runs.
