ENG vs AUS Ball by Ball Commentary

8:54 PM IST So, that's that from the T20I series between these two then. Australia would be more than happy that they have gotten back to playing cricket after a 6-month hiatus due to the pandemic. With the T20Is done and dusted, we move to Manchester now, for the 3-match ODI series next. The first ODI will happen on Friday, 11th September 2020 at 1300 Local (1200 GMT). Do join us then and until then, stay safe and take good care.

8:51 PM IST Jos Buttler is named Player of the Series. And since he is not around, Moeen picks the award on his behalf. Tells that Buttler is an exceptional player and he has changed the way England play the shorter format of the game. Adds that he brings a lot of experience in the dressing room.

8:50 PM IST Moeen Ali, the England skipper, says that captaining the side was an amazing experience and he is proud to have led the side. Tells that he would've loved to win the game though. Says that they didn't take the chances they got in the field and also were 15-20 runs short. Adds that the fielders didn't back the bowlers well.

8:48 PM IST Aaron Finch, the Australian skipper, says that they know where they missed the chance. Feels they were excellent overall in this game. Praises Marsh for his performance. Tells that there are several areas where they need to improve. Presses on playing better against the spinners in the middle overs. Adds he is disappointed that they have lost the series. Says this has been a learning curve for the team, especially as they are coming after nearly a 6-month break. Feels that they are well placed for the upcoming T20 World Cup, with having more time.

8:43 PM IST Mitchell Marsh is named Player of the Match. Tells that he is happy to get the chance and do well in helping the team win the game. Feels that he got lucky as a couple of chances were spilled of him. On facing the quicks than the spinner, Marsh says that he did check if Rashid had finished his overs. Adds that he is from WACA, so he does enjoy the pace on the ball.

8:41 PM IST Stay tuned for the presentations...

8:35 PM IST England did strike back in the middle though and it looked like the managed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, the way they were taking wickets and keeping a lid on the scoring rate. Rashid was exceptional with the ball for the hosts, chipping away at the wickets. He bagged 3 in the end and was very economical in his spell as well. But despite his heroics, the target was very much within the reach of the Aussies and England's fielding in the death only resulted in aiding the visitors.

8:35 PM IST Nevertheless, the target was not a cakewalk and Australia did exercise great caution in their play. Finch and Wade played aggressive cricket but the latter was dismissed in the fourth over. Despite that, the skipper and Stoinis continued well.

8:31 PM IST It was a very gripping match to say the least, despite being a low scoring one, compared to the first two matches in this series. Overall, despite their struggle, Australia need to be given due credit for the way they performed. And the credit is due to their bowlers, who helped this happen. Restricting England to 145, it was a very commendable job. Their bowling at the death was nothing but exceptional.

8:26 PM IST So, Australia win, despite wobbling a little after the good start they got off to, courtesy Wade and Finch. They had a good deal of struggles in between and in the death overs as well but they held their nerves and have managed to scamper through. Ashton Agar and Mitchell Marsh ensured that they see their side through safely and have just about done that as well.

8:23 PM IST There's the run and the victory! Well done, Marsh! Direct hit and it would've been interesting but not to be. Full and just outside off, Marsh strokes it towards mid off and goes for the single. The fielder from mid off who allowed an easy run on the last ball of the last over is quick to the ball this time. He fires the throw at the non-striker's end but fails to hit the stumps. Had he hit, it would've been a close call. And since he didn't, AUSTRALIA WIN BY 5 WICKETS.

8:21 PM IST Another dot! Marsh is cool and calm though. Excellent from Jordan. Is there any twist left? Very full and around off, Marsh pushes it straight to Moeen Ali at short cover.

8:21 PM IST DOT! Low full toss, Marsh finds mid on.

8:20 PM IST Scores level! Full and around off, Marsh pushes it towards mid off and gets a run. Poor from the fielder there at mid off. He should've been quick to the ball but he was waiting for it.

8:19 PM IST Good length ball on middle, flicked towards mid-wicket.

8:18 PM IST Bouncer, Agar controls it well and pulls it towards fine leg for a run by rolling his wrists and keeping it down.

8:18 PM IST FOUR! Drilled! This should do. This should surely do. Full and just outside off, Agar strokes it firmly. The mid off fielder is up in the ring and it is hit wide of him. Archer there dives to his left but he cannot stop it. Australia get the boundary. They are one hit away!

8:17 PM IST Another slower one, Marsh milks it through cover-point for an easy run. Australia know singles will do.

8:16 PM IST Short ball, slower one, Agar pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for an easy run.

8:14 PM IST Poor from England once again, in the field. Shortish ball around off and middle, Marsh pulls it towards mid-wicket. The fielder fails to stop the ball cleanly. The ball goes in the deep and they take two. 9 needed in 12 balls.

8:14 PM IST Direct hit and it would've been interesting. Shortish and slower, Agar works it towards the man at mid-wicket. They go for the risky run. The fielder fires the throw at the non-striker's end but misses. Maybe he chose the wrong end as he had to turn quickly to aim at the other end.

8:13 PM IST Fuller and on middle, this one is eased through mid on for a run.

8:12 PM IST Here's the dot! England need more of it. And if they can get a wicket, that will do. Full and around off, Marsh looks to drive but fails to time it well. The ball hits the toe end and goes towards the off side.

8:12 PM IST Full and outside off, drilled to deep cover for a run by Agar. England can't afford these easy singles.

8:11 PM IST Slower one just outside off, Marsh looks to cut but has to adjust. Does well to push it towards point and change ends.

8:10 PM IST Chris Jordan is back in the attack for the hosts. He has bowled just one over for 12.

8:09 PM IST Another dot! Good over from Curran. Just 5 from it. Full and on middle, Agar times it well but finds Moeen Ali at mid-wicket. 15 needed in 18 balls.

8:08 PM IST Down the leg side, Agar fails to flick. The ball hits his pad and goes behind. They think for the extra but decides against it.

8:07 PM IST Now forces this good length ball around off towards point to go to the other end.

8:07 PM IST A couple now! Curran bowls another slower bouncer. This time to the right-hander. Marsh does well to pull it towards deep square leg for a couple.

8:06 PM IST Slower bouncer around off, worked towards the leg side for a run. Agar picked that early.

8:05 PM IST Shortish and on middle and leg, Marsh works it towards fine leg and gets a single.

8:05 PM IST Tom Curran is back in the attack for England. 2-0-10-1 are his numbers.

8:03 PM IST Shortish and around middle, tucked towards the leg side for a run. 14 from the over. 20 needed in final 24 balls.

8:03 PM IST WIDE! Short ball down the leg side, Marsh lets it be. Wided by the umpire.

8:02 PM IST Punches it well but finds the cover fielder.

8:01 PM IST FOUR! This is drilled! What an over so far! Very full and outside off, Marsh stays back and then drills it through backward point. There is a fielder at deep cover but he has no chance to get there.

8:01 PM IST A couple now! Excellent running! Shortish ball around middle, Marsh tucks it towards mid-wicket and hares for the second.

8:00 PM IST Shortish and around off, Marsh looks to guide towards third man but ends up getting a bottom edge to the keeper.

7:59 PM IST SIX! Crunched! This is nailed by Finch. This should calms things down in the Aussie camp. Short and pacy bouncer from Wood to begin his second spell. Marsh goes on his back foot and whacks it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

7:58 PM IST Good length ball on off, worked to long off for a single.

7:57 PM IST Pacy bumper outside off, Mitch looks to pull at that but misses.

7:57 PM IST Around the pads, tucked to the on side for a single.

7:56 PM IST Full on the pads, Ashton works this towards deep square leg for a couple.

7:56 PM IST Full and outside off, driven behind point, towards third man for a couple.

7:55 PM IST Length ball on the pads, Marsh taps this to the on side for a single.

7:55 PM IST Jofra Archer is back in the attack. He has bowled 2 overs for 25.

7:53 PM IST On the pads now, Marsh flicks it towards deep mid-wicket. They think for the second but decide against it. Just 5 from the over.

7:53 PM IST Flatter one on middle, flicked to mid-wicket.

7:53 PM IST Another single as this shorter one pushes towards backward point by Agar.

7:52 PM IST Tossed up on middle, tucked towards square leg for a run.

7:52 PM IST Shortish and around off, cut through point for another run.

7:51 PM IST Darted on the pads, it is worked on the leg side for a run.

7:51 PM IST Ashton Agar is the next man for Australia. Also, skipper Moeen Ali takes the responsibility with the ball.

7:49 PM IST OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Rashid strikes again! Australia tumbling here! Half the side back in the hut. What a spell from Rashid! Finch, Maxwell and now the big wicket of Smith. He tosses this around off on a fuller length, Smith looks to work it on the leg side but ends up getting a leading edge. The ball is chipped back to Rashid. He gets down and takes the catch. 46 needed in 42 balls.

7:49 PM IST Mitch comes down the track and pushes this to long off for a single.

7:49 PM IST Googly wide outside off, Marsh leaves that alone.

7:48 PM IST Smith paddles this on the leg side for one.

7:47 PM IST On off, worked to long off for a single.

7:47 PM IST Was there an edge there? Malan at first slip does not take it and so it does not matter, even if the batter had nicked that. Floated on off, Mitch draws forward and looks to drive. Did the ball spin sharply towards Malan or did Mitch nick that? Eitherways, as far as England are concerned Malan did not collect that anyway.

7:46 PM IST Full and outside off, this one is pushed through mid off by Marsh for a run.

7:45 PM IST Another one pushed through mid on. This time by Smith for a run.

7:45 PM IST Floated around off and middle, it is stroked through mid on for a run.

7:45 PM IST Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

7:45 PM IST EDGY FOUR! Malan should've taken that. Shortish ball just outside off, Marsh is on the back foot, trying to force it on the off side. He ends up getting a thick outside edge. The ball goes towards Malan at first slip. It is not too quick as it goes towards him. However, he is late in throwing himself towards the ball. He gets hand to the ball but it bursts through and goes to the fence.

7:44 PM IST Short and on middle, Smith pulls it towards the leg side to open is account.

7:43 PM IST Joe Denly to bowl now.

7:42 PM IST Fuller and around off, pushed towards the cover fielder

7:42 PM IST Floated on middle, flicked towards deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

7:42 PM IST Mitch Marsh is the new man in at the crease for the Aussies.

7:40 PM IST OUT! TIMBER! No need to review this one. Has Rashid turned the game around? He has gone through the gate of Finch. Tosses the googly around off and middle, Finch tries to go inside out but he is off balance and misses. The ball goes behind and disturbs the woodwork.

7:40 PM IST WIDE! NOT OUT! England lose the appeal there, not bat at all. Flatter ball down the leg side, Finch looked to play at that but misses. England think he nicked that and appeal but the umpire says no. They take it upstairs and find out that Finch did not nick that.

7:39 PM IST Review time! England take the review for a caught behind, down the leg side. UltraEdge rolls in and shows that there is no bat involved.

7:38 PM IST Floats this on off, Aaron works this towards covers.

7:38 PM IST Steve Smith is the next man in.

7:37 PM IST OUT! CAUGHT! Glenn Maxwell has the capacity to see his side home, but at times plays some weird shots and ends up holing out. It is a shocker from him to say the least! He connects on the reverse sweep this time, but gets it straight to Curran at backward point. Tom makes no mistake and this is a huge wicket for England.

7:36 PM IST A very feeble appeal for a catch, nothing more. Maxwell looks to reverse sweep but it comes off his body and goes to the man at slip. He collects that on the full but only Rashid appeals, albeit feebly. The umpire is least interested in that.

7:35 PM IST Another two! Great running once again! This is shortish and outside off, Finch cuts it through cover-point. The call is once again for a couple. It is risky but they are on their bike. Finch makes it in as the throw comes to the keeper. The keeper anyway fails to collect the ball.

7:34 PM IST Excellent running! Slower one around middle and leg, Finch spots it early and tucks it towards square leg gently. What does that do? Allows him to return for the second. Excellent.

7:34 PM IST A single as Maxwell pushes it towards mid on.

7:33 PM IST Shortish and around off, Maxwell punches it powerfully towards the cover fielder.

7:33 PM IST Bouncer just around off, Maxwell lets it be.

7:32 PM IST Short and on middle, Maxwell whacks it towards long on and the call is for two straightaway! That puts Jordan under pressure and he fumbles and they get the second comfortably.

7:31 PM IST WOW! What was that. A high full toss outside off. Finch should smash it out of the park. But what he does? Fails to even lay bat on it.

7:31 PM IST In the air but safe. Full and on middle and leg, Finch looks to sweep but gets a top edge. The ball balloons towards short fine leg. The fielder tries to get around but fails to do so. Two taken.

7:31 PM IST Floated on middle, it is worked towards square leg for a run.

7:30 PM IST Full and outside off, eased for a run through cover-point.

7:30 PM IST Full and around off, Maxwell strokes it through mid off for a run.

7:30 PM IST Full and around off, drilled to deep cover for a run.

7:28 PM IST Fullish on off, worked past mid off for a single.

7:27 PM IST Fuller length delivery this time. Glenn lofts this over covers for a single.

7:26 PM IST Length again, on off, punched to cover.

7:26 PM IST Length ball on off, defended by Glenn.

7:25 PM IST A direct hit and Maxwell would have been a gonner. Finch nudges this good length ball to the leg side and calls for a single. Maxwell hurries to the striker's end as Billings collects and throws it but misses the stumps.

7:25 PM IST Glenn Maxwell is the new man at the crease.

7:24 PM IST OUT! CAUGHT! Stoinis holds out in the deep, on the leg side. Curran dishes out a slow length ball on the off pole line, Stoinis looks to go big on the leg side but does not pick up the slower one well. He ends up skying it high towards deep square leg where Tom Banton holds on to a good catch, keeping low.

7:23 PM IST Tom Curran in the attack now. Can he do some magic?

7:23 PM IST Short on off, pulled to the leg side for a couple.

7:22 PM IST DROPPED! Bairstow called it early, got himself in a good position but drops it somehow. Adil is not happy with that. He floats this on off, Finch looked to sweep that high over deep square leg but ends up getting a top edge. It goes high in the air over where short mid-wicket would have been. Bairstow comes running in and gets himself under it but spills it.

7:21 PM IST Flat outside off, cut past point for one.

7:21 PM IST Finch punches this off the back foot on the off side for a single.

7:20 PM IST FOUR! The Australians have just timed the ball beautifully today. Flatter ball outside off, Finch powers this through the carpet on the off side, towards deep extra cover for a boundary.

7:20 PM IST Floated outside off, Marcus comes down and works this to long off for one.

7:20 PM IST What a superb Powerplay for Australia! They have probably learned the lesson from the first game and do not want to get under the pump this time around. These two are looking really well and would not want to take this game too deep.

7:19 PM IST Adil Rashid to bowl now.

7:18 PM IST FOUR! Boundary to begin the over, boundary to end the over and the Powerplay. England have been sloppy in the field and this is on display once again. Shortish and just outside off, Finch punches it towards Denly at point. It goes straight to him but he is late in getting down. The ball goes through and then races away to the fence. 61/1 at the end of the Powerplay.

7:17 PM IST Quick run! Now pushes this fuller one wide of the mid off fielder and calls for a quick run.

7:17 PM IST Shortish and around off, watchfully blocked.

7:16 PM IST FOUR! Another boundary for Stoinis. The Hulk is finding the middle of the blade. Short ball on middle and leg, Stoinis moves inside and then uses the pace of the bowler and pulls it to the fine leg fence.

7:15 PM IST Landed around off on a good length, blocked.

7:15 PM IST FOUR! That was timed so well! Shortish and around off, Stoinis goes back and taps it past Banton at backward point. The ball then races away to the fence. Banton should've done a lot better there. 50 up for Australia.

7:14 PM IST Slower and on the shorter side on off, tucked to square leg for one.

7:13 PM IST FOUR! Fullish and on the stumps, Marcus whacks that straight back past the bowler for a boundary. Almost took the umpire out there as well.

7:12 PM IST In the air but safe! Archer stretches at mid off to get a hand but cannot as the ball was past his stretch. Stoinis looks to go big on the off side but ends up getting a safe top edge past Archer for a couple.

7:11 PM IST FOUR! Short on middle, Stoinis pulls it to deep square leg for a boundary. The ball just about races away to the boundary.

7:10 PM IST Full on the stumps, blocked to covers.

7:10 PM IST Finch goes back and taps this shorter ball on the off side for a single.

7:09 PM IST Chris Jordan to bowl now.

7:08 PM IST FOUR! No, like in the first over, Wood concedes a boundary on the last ball of the over. Full length delivery on the off pole, Stoinis lofts this uppishly over mid off. One bounce and into the fence. Good way to open the account by Stoinis.

7:07 PM IST Shorter length ball on top of the stumps, Stoinis defends. A wicket and just a run in the form of extra so far. Can Wood finish the over on a high?

7:07 PM IST WIDE! Wayward bouncer on top of middle and leg, Stoinis lets that through. Wide called.

7:06 PM IST Short and outside off again, cut towards the man at point.

7:05 PM IST Shorter outside off, driven towards point off the back foot.

7:05 PM IST Back of a length delivery on top of the stumps, defended.

7:04 PM IST Marcus Stoinis is the new man in at the crease.

7:03 PM IST OUT! CAUGHT! Does not bounce as much as he expected, Wade! Mark Wood gets the first breakthrough for England. A shorter ball outside off, Wade looks to pull that towards mid-wicket. He though ends up mistiming it straight to the man at mid on. Chris Jordan there takes a simple catch and the Three Lions are underway with that.

7:02 PM IST Length ball down the leg side, Finch looks to flick but misses.

7:01 PM IST SIX! Finch, gets a maximum, although he would have fancied it to come in a more conclusive fashion. Short length delivery on top of off, he pulls that but gets a top edge. It goes sky-high but lands over the ropes behind square on the leg side for a maximum.

7:00 PM IST Good stop by Moeen at short mid-wicket. Saved a boundary. Full length ball on the stumps, Wade hits this hard towards Moeen there. The English skipper stops that but cannot contain that completely and hence the batters sneak in a single there.

6:59 PM IST Wade goes across and looks to drive on the off side, misses the full length delivery, which was almost in the blockhole, outside off.

6:59 PM IST Length again, on top of off this time. Finch rocks back and drives this on the off side for one.

6:58 PM IST Length ball around the hip, Wade tucks this to the leg side for a single.

6:57 PM IST FOUR! Last ball spoils the over! He bowls this fuller one on the pads of Finch. He whips it uppishly and the ball races to the fence at deep mid-wicket.

6:56 PM IST Full ball on the off pole, Finch drives to mid on.

6:55 PM IST On off, Finch defends this one out as well.

6:54 PM IST Pacy good length ball on middle, Aaron blocks it out.

6:54 PM IST Wade works this fuller ball past mid on for a single.

6:53 PM IST On middle, worked to mid-wicket for a single.

6:53 PM IST Mark Wood it is!

6:53 PM IST Excellent start for the Aussies in the first over! The bowler who will bowl the second over might feel the heat. In a total that is not a massive one, 16 in the first over puts more pressure. Let's see who gets the responsibility to contain the batters in the second over.

6:52 PM IST SIX! Where has that gone? It was high and mighty! Full on the stumps, he lofts this sky-high over deep square leg for a maximum.

6:51 PM IST On off, Wade drives this to mid off.

6:51 PM IST FOUR! Off the glove. A short ball, down the leg side, Wade looks to pull but gets a glove on it due to extra bounce. It lobs over Bairstow and then races to the fine leg fence.

6:50 PM IST Outside off, pushed wide of the man at mid off for a single.

6:49 PM IST FOUR! Picks the short ball early and gets a boundary, Finch! He is off the mark in elan. Finch pulls this short length delivery to deep square leg for a boundary.

6:48 PM IST We are back for the run chase! Aaron Finch and Matthew Wade are out in the middle. Jofra Archer with the ball for the England. An exciting chase awaits us. Off we go...

6:48 PM IST Back of a length delivery, Wade tucks that behind square on the leg side for one. He is off the mark.