England vs Australia 4th ODI Highlights

Well, denied even a calm coffee break, aye? The players are back on. Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh are opening for Australia, with Matthew Potts having the new ball. Marsh on strike.

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Right then, after a powerful stint with the bat, England would aim to mirror the same performance with the ball. But don't you predict the winner from now. Australia has got an equally threatening batting unit at their helm. And with Travis Head back in the ranks raring to tonk the ball around the park, England will have to be at their A-game with the ball. Given how the conditions have gotten sunny out there, batting has become relatively easy. And everyone knows how deep Australia bats. An immersive run chase is on cards, folks! Stay tuned.

However, Australia may regret not fully exploiting the conditions. They created some chances here and there but in vain as they allowed two partnerships exceeding 70 runs to develop in the mid phase. England completely dominated the second Powerplay and managed to mount 197 runs for 4 wickets between overs 9-31.

Australia's bowlers on the other hand, started strongly, capitalizing on the seam-friendly conditions. Hazlewood and Starc bowled in tandem, posing challenging questions with movement and variable bounce. Despite a favorable Powerplay, they secured only one wicket with the new ball. Seeing much offer for the pacers, and without Cameron Green, Mitch Marsh himself decided to have a go with the ball and struck gold. Marsh then turned to spin, deploying Maxwell and Zampa in tandem to create breakthroughs. Although these spinners faced some heavy hitting, they managed to claim three wickets between them.

However, the team's momentum was briefly interrupted when both set batsmen fell within a span of just two overs. This sudden setback necessitated another period of consolidation and a push for a strong finish. Rising to the challenge, Livingstone unleashed an aggressive onslaught, while Bethell provided a steady, anchoring presence at the other end. Putting the icing on the cake, Livingstone lived up to his big-hitting reputation in style. He went absolutely berserk in the final over, smashing four massive sixes and a boundary. He squeezed out a whopping 28 runs off Starc's over, giving the innings a grand finale.

Duckett adopted a cautious approach, gradually building confidence as he spent more time at the crease. He found success by targeting the 'V' region. It was the Duckett-Brook partnership of 79 runs that steered England out of trouble. They skillfully manoeuvred through the middle overs without taking unnecessary risks and targeted the loose balls effectively. After Duckett's departure, Brook and Jamie Smith forged a formidable partnership, skillfully navigating the middle overs. Their 75-run stand considerably bolstered England's already strong position. By the 30-over mark, England had posted a commanding 224/3, setting the stage for a powerful finish in the death overs.

England's innings began on shaky ground as they grappled with early movement in damp, wet conditions. Salt and Duckett narrowly escaped edges but managed to navigate the Powerplay. The difficult pitch conditions prevented the ball from coming easily onto the bat, restricting the English openers from playing freely inside the restrictions.

Take a breath, folks! We have just witnessed a batting onslaught of the highest quality from the English batters. Yes, reading the scorecard at 312/5 might not get you quizzed a bit as it is the new normal to breach that range in modern-day cricket. But, remember, this is a shortened game, and these runs were scored in just 39 overs. After a fantastic start in the first Powerplay, where Australia just conceded 35 runs, they must be kicking themselves for not capitalising on that.

FOUR! Sliced away, which means Starc concedes 28 RUNS IN THE FINAL OVER! This was actually not a bad ball. It was nearly a wide yorker, outside off, but Liam Livingstone managed to get under it and squeeze it behind point. ENGLAND FINISH ON A COMMANDING 312/5!

SIX! Starc changes his length but the result does not change! A short ball, around off, Livingstone pulls it massively over mid-wicket!

SIX! The records keep tumbling! Number 11 now. Fuller, around off, Liam Livingstone gets underneath it again and sends it sailing over long off! A 25-ball 50 for Liam Livingstone! 300 UP FOR ENGLAND and we still have 2 balls left.

SIX! Once again Starc goes for the yorker and misses. It is an overpitched delivery and Livingstone flicks it miles over mid-wicket! This is now a new record at Lord's - FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ODIS, A TEAM HAS HIT 10 SIXES OR MORE IN AN INNING!

A slower-ball bouncer, around off, angling away, Liam misses out on the pull.

SIX! HUMONGOUS! That has gone into the first tier. Fourth six for Liam Livingstone. Fuller in length, around middle, right in the slot, Livingstone gets under the ball and sends it sailing into orbit over long on. Moves to 40 from 22 balls.

Fine yorker wide outside off, squeezd through the covers for one. Excellent finish for Josh Hazlewood, who despite not being at his best, ends up as the best bowler for Australia for the day - 8-1-40-1 for him.

A bouncer, around middle, Liam looks to hook but misses.

FOUR! HAMMERED! Excellent from Livingstone. This time, the batter does not move much. Waits for the ball to come, which is full, around off. Belts it straight back past the bowler. Long on and long off are not even visible. The stand moves to 42 from 34 balls.

Hazlewood sees Livingstone back away to the leg side early and bowls a perfect yorker, wide outside off, just inside the tramline. Liam Livingstone cannot reach the ball and is forced to leave it.

Down the leg side, Bethell misses his flick and takes it on the pads. A leg bye taken.