Australia’s batting woes continued in Canberra on Friday night as they avoided defeat but not an embarrassing collapse in a rain-ruined T20 international against England in another worrying performance in the lead-up the World Cup.
Aaron Finch and Mitchell Marsh both departed for a golden duck from the first two balls of the home side’s innings while Glenn Maxwell, promoted to opener, continued his recent form slump by departing for eight.
Rain wreaked havoc throughout the night – the Aussies went off at 3-30 with Steve Smith (seven) and Marcus Stoinis (eight) trying to kick-start the innings after Chris Woakes destroyed their run-chase with two wickets in successive deliveries from the get-go and then removing Maxwell in the third over.
They were well behind the par score but with five overs needed to be bowled to constitute a match, the final rain interruption saved them from losing the series in a 3-0 whitewash.
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Multiple delays earlier meant the game was reduced to 12 overs per side, the visitors scoring 2-112 behind captain Jos Buttler’s unbeaten 65. England were cruising towards a large total at 2-73 when showers struck for a second time.
(Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
They had lost opener Alex Hales for an early duck but powered on regardless, with Buttler and Dawid Malan playing some powerful shots in a partnership of 56.
Malan continued to shine after his 82 on Wednesday night, crunching four boundaries in his 23 before he holed out off the bowling of Pat Cummins.
Buttler struck the ball cleanly throughout his knock, his own hot form also continuing after 68 in the series’ opener.
After the second rain delay England sought to make the most of their limited overs, taking 30 off the first eight balls when play resumed.
Australia recalled Smith in place of David Warner, who is suffering from a neck complaint after an incident in the field in game two.
The Australians will only play once more before the tournament begins, facing off against India in Brisbane on Monday.
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