England vs Australia, AUS in ENG, 5 ODIs, 2024 Full score card

OUT! BOWLED! It also brings up the 50th wicket in ODIs for Adil Rashid against Australia. It is a straighter one, around leg stump, a tad short, which stays low as well. Josh Hazlewood rocks back to pull but is defeated by the lack of bounce and the ball hits the leg stump. ENGLAND WIN BY 186 RUNS AND LEVEL THE SERIES 2-2!

The googly, short in length, outside off, Starc spoons a cut over point for a single.

Around off, punched towards mid off.

3 WIDES. Massive turn but misdirected. Rashid bowls it too full down the leg side, Starc looks to sweep but misses. Initially, Starc says wait but then, when he sees that the ball has gone far, starts to run and completes a couple.

A full toss, around middle, Mitchell Starc whips it through mid-wicket and oh wow - does not take the single. He does want to take on the leggie. If there is anything in his slot, watch out for that slog sweep over mid-wicket.

Outside off, pushed towards point to end a DOUBLE-WICKET MAIDEN! Sensational figures for Matthew Potts as he finishes his job with figures of 8-2-38-4. Unfortunately for him, he cannot get a 5-fer.

Around off, good bounce, Hazlewood is unable to rise with the bounce but somehow fends it towards the slips, on the bounce.

The wobbly seam from Potts, around off, coming in with the angle from around the wicket, Josh Hazlewood stays leg side of the ball and plays inside the line, getting beaten. On its way to the keeper, the ball wobbles a bit.

Partner in crime with the new ball, Josh Hazlewood now comes to the crease to have some fun with the bat with Mitchell Starc.

OUT! CAUGHT! Two in the over for Potts and he now has four as Zampa lasts 2 balls. A short ball, outside off, Adam Zampa looks to hoick it over the leg side but he is in no position to play that shot. The extra bounce does him in and he only manages to spoon it straight up in the air. Liam Livingstone runs a yard or so to his right to take his second catch of the evening. England a wicket away from levelling the series.

No hattrick for Potts. Very full, around off, Adam Zampa digs it out.

Adam Zampa walks in at number 10, replacing Alex Carey. The Aussies 9, 10 and Jack will now be having a competition amongst themselves as to who will be the highest scorer between them.

OUT! LBW! Wonderful review from England and Potts has his third! On a good length, outside off, Alex Carey looked to whip it through the leg side but missed as the ball darted back in. Potts appealed but the umpire turned it down. Initially it looked high to the naked eye, but one or two England fielders, probably from the slip cordon, told Harry Brook that it did not look that high. Brook agreed and decided to take the review and sure enough, Ball Tracker projected it to be hitting the top of leg stump! No heroics for Carey tonight as he goes for an unlucky 13. POTTS IS ON A HATTRICK!

Around off, the googly, punched towards cover.

Fuller, around off, well kept out.

On a good length, around off, punched towards mid off.

A full toss now, on middle, Mitchell Starc whips it through mid-wicket. The ball races across the turf but so does Phil Salt to his left at deep mid-wicket. He dives and saves a certain boundary, keeping the batters to a couple. Excellent commitment, even at this stage, when the game looks dead and buried. The hosts have been brilliant on the field tonight.

Around middle, a touch flatter, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.

Full, around leg stump, Alex Carey works this through mid-wicket for a single.

Mitchell Starc comes in at number 9, as England enter the bowling territory of the Aussies.

OUT! CAUGHT. And that is the end of that. Potts keeps it full again, outside off and this time, Abbott just tries to chip it over the infield. There is no attempt to heave but there is no power on the flick either. The shot is more or less the same, a no-look one but the ball just travels in the air. Not enough distance as Liam Livingstone rushes across to his right from mid on and completes the formalities. Pott's figures read 7-1-38-2.

SIX! PUMMELED! Shades of the shots from Abbott's 34-ball century in the 2023 Vitality Blast. That had come at The Oval, which is also in London, not too far from here. A length ball, outside off, Sean Abbott just plays a Martin Guptillesque shot, not looking at the ball and flicking it over mid-wicket. High and handsome it goes, into the stands.

Has to be Abbott's best shot of the night but as luck would have it, it is met with an equally good fielding response. Very full, around off, Sean Abbott whips it through mid on but Liam Livingstone dives to his right and makes a superb stop.

Fuller, around off, Alex drives it towards Ben Duckett at mid off and calls for a quick single. Duckett takes his eyes off the ball and it goes through, allowing the single to be completed.

This is at the stumps, on a length, Carey dabs it towards short mid-wicket.

On a good length, just outside off, Alex Carey pushes inside the line and gets beaten.

Quicker one, outside off, pushed towards the off side.

Now comes the leg spinner. This is another massive turn, from outside off. So big is the turn that even the keeper misses it and first slip fumbles.

And again. Another wrong 'un, Abbott is just not able to pick him and dabs the ball down the pitch again.

A massively-spinning googly, outside off, comes back in a long way, Sean Abbott looks to cut but is cramped for room and gets a bottom edge.

Goes back now and dabs it towards fine leg for a single.

Full, on middle, Alex Carey flicks it straight to short mid-wicket.

Potts bowls a good length ball outside off. Carey gets on his toes and punches it to deep point for a single.

In-beween length, outside off. Carey punches it to mid off.

Half-tracker angling down the leg. Alex Carey misses the flick on the inside edge. It goes off his pads to long leg for two leg byes.

Length ball outside off. Abbott opens the bat face and steers it to deep third for a single.

Short of a good length, this is cut square towards deep point for another run.

Fuller length outside off. Carey gets ahead with a prod and pushes it to mid off.

Full, pushed through, and tossed up outside off. Carey gets down on a knee and sweeps it to deep square leg for a single.

A googly on a length outside off. Abbott punches it to long off for a single.

Full and tossed up, on the stumps. Abbott cuts it to short extra cover.

An appeal for stumping and they are going upstairs. Seems to be a very close one this! Rashid dishes out a leg break, around off on a length and it turns away a bit as well. Abbott looks to drive, takes a half stride ahead but is beaten on the outside edge and also, by the turn. Jamie Smith collects the ball behind the stumps and takes the bails off and appeals for a stumping. And now, the TV umpire is summoned in to check if it is stumped. At first replay, it looked pretty much touch and go and seemed that his foot was just on the line, but the other side-on angle comes up and the umpire deems that Abbott got some part of his boot behind the popping crease. NOT OUT it is! The England players are shocked and so is the crowd, which replies with boos. Have to admit, very very surprised with that call. Abbott seems to be a lucky man though it is not going to matter much in this game.

A wrong'un, flat and quick on the off stump, and turning in, Sean Abbott reads the googly well, and punches it to cover off the back foot.

Rashid with a leg slip in place, bowls it on a good length, on the stumps, Alex Carey whips it across on the back foot towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Time for spin. Adil Rashid gets a go now. Will be a good test of his fingers after he went off the field post that dropped catch of Marnus Labuschagne. Most of the crowd has left the ground, most likely due to the cold conditions, as the temperature dips to 10 degrees Celsius. The ones remaining will really hope that England finish this off quickly. Don't think there is any neutral spectator in either England or Australia when the two play against one another but even the most positive of those would have probably bedded in for the night now, looking at the state of the game.

Length ball outside off. Carey nudges it to cover-point for a single. Australia now need 210 runs to win from 126 deliveries.

Darts in and almost yorks it up, around off does Archer, Alex Carey is a bit late to bring his bat vertically down to drive it straight down the ground. Hence, gets the toe end of the bat which bumps on the pitch and goes back to the keeper.

Abbott now pushes this fuller delivery around off with soft hands through covers and gets a quick single.

Length ball outside off. Abbott gets behind the line and defends it down the pitch.

Length, and angling into the stumps. Abbott gets on his toes and fends it to the point region.

Archer steams in, lands it on the back of a length on the off stump line, clocking 140 kph. Abbott hops and defends it back to the bowler.

Time to give Archer a rest? Guess he has done the job for the night. He has bowled his best spell not only in this series but for quite a while now. Oh no, says Brook. He wants Archer to blow the Aussies down and out.

100 up for Australia. Their passage from 50 to 100 has taken 60 balls. And it has cost them 6 wickets. Short of a good length, across off, Alex Carey weighs on the back foot and pulls it over mid-wicket. Phil Salt chases it down from deep mid-wicket to his right, slides and keeps the ball in play. Two runs taken.

Keeps the line of attack on off, and bowls on a nagging length again, Sean Abbott opens up his body and gets squared up. Pushes at it on the back foot but gets a healthy outside edge that runs down to deep third for an easy single.

Fuller length outside off, it comes back in with the angle. Abbott tucks it to short mid-wicket with soft hands.

Beaten! This is on a nagging length, pitching just a tad bit outside off, Sean Abbott stays on the back foot and goes for a punch, but it stays a tad bit low as well and beats his outside edge.

WIDE! A steep overhead bumper this time, Sean Abbott sways away from the line and lets it go. The umpire exercises his arms and signals for a wide.

Back of a length, on the top of off, Alex Carey gets on his toes and punches it through covers for a single.

Fuller length outside off. Carey goes for the cut but misses it to the keeper.

On middle, on a fuller length, Sean Abbott presents full face of the bat and defends it back to the bowler. Another successful over from Archer.

Back of a length outside off, Abbott has a poke at it, gets an inside edge on to the pads.

DRINKS BREAK. Seems like we are in for an early finish. Australia can put this score down to the total they are chasing but if they go back and check their dismissals, there is not much that most of the batters could have done. The ball is seaming a lot more under lights on this Lord's pitch and the Aussies are simply like a cat in front of a car's headlights. They were in a tremendous position before Head got out, but barring Smith's dismissal, cannot really fault any other batter. Sean Abbott walks in at number 8, replacing Glenn Maxwell. How do Australia play from here on? Do they try and bat out their 39 overs and literally get nothing apart from a bit of respect? Or do they throw caution to the wind and attack and see whether they can make a match out of this?

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Archer gets his second and this just keeps getting worse for the Aussies now as they are 6 down even before 100 on the board. Jofra Archer tests Maxwell with a good length ball on the middle. It pitches and nips back in a fraction. Maxwell is in his crease and looks to heave it across the line but ends up getting the bottom edge to the keeper. Jamie Smith dives to his left and takes a good sharp catch. From 68/0, Australia have now slipped badly to 96/6.

Full and outside off. searing in at 146 kph. Maxwell squeezes it out to deep backward point for a brace.

Oh, did that carry? Nope, just a yard ahead of Duckett but we can see a sense of disappointment on Archer's face though. Length ball outside off. Carey pokes at it as he hangs his bat away from the body. Gets a healthy outside edge and it falls just short of Ben Duckett at first slip and runs behind him for a single.

Short of a length outside off. Carey steers it to short third.

Full and outside off. Maxwell goes for the drive without any feet movement and gets beaten on the outside edge. Stunning over from Carse - 4 runs and 2 wickets from it. 5-0-31-3 are his figures!

Glenn Maxwell is the last of the recognized batters for Australia, as he comes in at number 7, replacing Marnus Labuschagne.

OUT! CASTLED! This is top tier bowling from Carse! Length ball around off, it jags back in degrees from the angle. Marnus Labuschagne presents the full face of the bat but the ball sneaks through the edge as Marnus plays inside the line. It cannons into the off stump, uprooting it. Australia are teetering at 93/5 now in 14.5 overs. They need 220 more runs to win now.

Full and swinging into the off stump. Labuschagne gets forward and pushes it to mid off.

WIDE! Carse misfires it down the leg side and it's a wide ball called.

Pitched up and Carey drives it to mid on for a single.

Alex Carey walks in at number 6, replacing Josh Inglis, as Australia are stuck in a mire now. They need a partnership but all the same, in double quick time. That required rate has touched the roof. Boos around the ground. The crowd has still not forgotten what he did to Jonny Bairstow in the 2023 Ashes.

OUT! TAKEN! England keeps the pressure on! Length ball outside off. Inglis drives away from the body with no proper foot movement, and chips it straight to short cover off the outer half of the bat. Now, not sure whether Will Jacks lost the ball in the lights or was just late to react but he jumped pretty late and almost at the last moment, plucked it out of thin air. Inglis departs for 8 (15) and Australia are in a bit of a pickle here.

Scooped and lands safe! Length ball, on the stumps, Josh Inglis scoops this towards fine leg by shuffling across for a couple.

Punched through the covers for one more.

Short ball, around off, worked through square leg for one more.

Short ball, around the hips, nudged through square leg for a run.

WIDE. Short, down the leg side, Inglis misses out on the pull.

Banged in short at the body. Labuschagne swivels and pulls it all along the ground to deep backward square leg for a single.

Almost chopped on! Length delivery, on off, Labuschagne goes for the cut but gets an inside edge onto his pads.

Length ball around off stump. Labuschagne gets behind the line and blocks it down the pitch.

Adil Rashid going off the field now. While attempting that catch, he seems to have hurt his fingers.

Length ball outside off. Inglis fends it to short cover.

Length ball outside off. Inglis hops and pushes it to cover.

TOP EDGE, IN THE AIR, AND RASHID GRASSES IT! Dear, oh dear! A simple down gone begging as Rashid totally misjudged it. Short of a good length with an extra bit of bounce, on the stumps, Marnus Labuschagne miscues the pull shot off the top edge as he finds the ball getting heavier on him. It flies towards the deep backward square leg region where Adil Rashid spills a simple catch and the batters cross for a single. He is tentative to get to the ball, pauses just for a millisecond but eventually attempts to catch by diving. Gets his fingers at it, tumbles down and fails to sustain it in his hands.

Length ball angling into the leg stump. Josh Inglis pushes it to wide of mid on for a single.

A sharp call of 'NO' from Marnus Labuschagne and Inglis obeys and retreats back. Length, at off, Inglis drops it in the front of covers and sniffs a single but is send back.

Length ball outside off. Inglis hops and pushes it back to the bowler.

Attacks the stumps does Archer, bowls it full and angles further into the batter, Inglis gets on the front foot and goes for a forward push to the leg side, but gets it through the inner half of the bat. The ball runs to the square leg region for a single. Just three runs and a wicket from Archer's 4th over.

Back of a length outside off. Labuschagne gets on his toes to ride the bounce and steers it to short third for a single.

Nicely bowled! This one tails back in from the good length, pitches around off and comes in a long, long way. Marnus Labuschagne sees it closely and hangs his bat in the air. It passes over the top of off for the keeper, Jamie Smith to collect.

Seems like Marnus Labuschagne is in a pool of trouble. The physio has come rushing to the middle to treat him. Some taping done and all good to go now.

Ashes 2019 revisited! How many of you remember the second ball bowled by Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne in the 2019 Ashes at Lord's, when the latter came in as a concussion substitute for Steven Smith? Just a ball ago, Archer had felled Smith with a bouncer, hitting him on the helmet and welcomed Labuschagne in a similar fashion, pinging him on the helmet. Memories revisited, 5 years later. Archer bowls this with sheer pace, banging it on a length outside off and getting it to come back in. The only difference this time though, is that Labuschagne sways away from the line of the ball, taking his head away from impact. But he still gets stung as the ball rears off a length and hits him somewhere between the thumb and forefinger of his right hand. He immediately drops his bat down and although he does not show any pain, the dropped bat is a good indicator of the same. Ouch.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! An absolute seed from Archer, through the defence of the Aussie skipper! Jofra Archer stays over the stumps, and attacks the line of the middle and the off stumps, it gets a bit of an away movement which is enough to deceive Marsh. He anticipates the ball to stay straight and hence, brings his bat vertically down to drive it down the ground and ends up playing inside the line of the ball. As a result, with a tinge of a deviation away from the bat, the ball whispers the outside edge and crashes into the pegs. Mitchell Marsh departs on 28 (34). Australia lose their third wicket and they slip from a comfortable 68/0 to 80/3. Marnus Labuschagne walks in at number 5, replacing his skipper.

Australia in deep trouble now, with the ball moving a bit extra under the lights.

WIDE! He will have to reload that one again! Archer tries to keep the line closer to the body but overcompensates and slips it down leg, on a length. Mitchell Marsh misses on his swipe across the line. Wide called.

Archer steams in, spears in an attempted yorker, wide of off, Mitchell Marsh covers the stumps and shovels it out off the toe end to the off side.

Harry Brook not wanting Australia to relax. Brings back Jofra Archer. 3-0-20-0 so far.

Full and outside off, Inglis goes for a drive through covers but plays inside the line and is beaten on the outside edge. Australia need 234 more runs to win from 28 remaining overs now.

Much tighter line now! Carse uses the width of the crease and angles it over the top of middle, Josh Inglis plays behind the line and pushes it to the off side with a firm bottom hand.

WIDE! Outside the tramline from Carse, Inglis leaves it alone to the keeper to collect.

Play and a miss! Into that uncertain corridor, just around off, on a good length, Josh Inglis with no real foot movement, plays it away from his body and gets beaten.

Short of a good length and skidding quickly on the batter, on leg, Josh Inglis hops on the back foot and wrists the glance towards deep square leg for a couple.

Length, and outside off, Inglis offers no shot at it and lets it be.

Brydon Carse bowls it quite full, angling on middle and leg, Mitchell Marsh swings across and flicks it to deep square leg for a single.

Josh Inglis has been promoted to number 4, replacing Steven Smith.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Well, England right back on top in this game now. Another weird shot from Smith, putting it down to the mounting required rate. He steps away down the leg side and Matthew Potts follows him, bowling it on a length. Smith attempts an ambitious inside-out shot but is cramped for room. The ball nips back in a long way and takes a thin inside edge, on its way to the keeper, Jamie Smith. England appeal but Smith does not even wait for the umpire's decision. Big wicket, as he departs for just 5 (6) and Australia have now slipped from 68/0 to 75/2. 238 more needed from 174 balls.

Outside off, a touch wide, left alone.

Down the leg side, Marsh helps this through square leg for a run.

Outside off, pushed towards cover for a quick single. 239 more needed from 177 balls.

FOUR! MAGNIFICENT! Now, that is more like Smith. Playing according to the ball. It is on a length, outside off, Steven Smith leans into the shot and drives the ball on the up, piercing the gap between cover and mid off. Gets off the mark in fine fashion.

On a good length, outside off, Mitchell Marsh slaps it through the covers for a single.

And now, a rare shot from Smith. That is the pressure of the required rate. It is on a good length, outside off and Smith stays leg side of the ball and plays a weird-looking inside-out shot. Very unlike him, on just the second ball of his innings. Misses. Just 2 runs and a wicket from his second over after going for 19 in his opener for Carse.

A toughie first up. Carse bowls it with the angle from over the wicket and bends his back. Steven Smith looks to defend but the ball nibbles away just, to beat the outside edge. Smith acknowledges that as well.

Steven Smith walks in at number 3, replacing Travis Head.

OUT! BOWLED! Excellent comeback by Carse after a punishing opening over. He just sticks to the basics, keeping the line pretty straight, targetting the stumps. Travis Head gives himself some room to the leg side and attempts a massive swing and that brings Carse into business. He follows the policy of 'You miss, I hit' and to his joy, Head misses. The ball doesn't and the bails are scattered. So England strike immediately after Powerplay 1 as Australia's opening stand is finally broken on 68. Head departs for a well-made 34 (23). The visitors need another 245 from 182 balls.

Short and wide, outside off, Mitchell Marsh slaps it through the off side but with the fielding restrictions lifted, there is protection at sweeper. Just a single.

Full, around off, Head mistimes his drive towards cover.

Full, around middle, Travis Head flicks it straight to short mid-wicket.

POWERPLAY 2 time. 4 fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle, till the 31st over.

Landed outside off, The Bison walks into the shot and defends. Australia end Powerplay 1 on a fine 66/0, way ahead of where England were - 35/0 - but they have got a daunting task ahead to catch up in the middle overs. England scored 197/4 in 23 overs in that phase. Ouch.

Landed outside off, the skipper walks into the shot and pushes the ball towards point.

FOUR! POUNDED! Very full, from Potts and Marsh drives it straight back to where it came from. No chance for mid on to his left. 247 more needed from 188 balls.

Outside off, on a length, punched towards cover.

He had no idea about that one. Very full, around off, Travis Head plays all around it and gets a thick inside edge which goes past the stumps towards fine leg. Head is searching for the ball, rotating 360 degrees but Marsh calls him through for the single.

Huge shout for LBW, but once again, Marsh gets himself outside the line. On a good length, outside off, comes back in sharply, Mitchell Marsh gets across to whip but misses and is hit on the pads. The ball rolls towards point and a leg bye is taken. Potts appeals but it is not entertained. Ball Tracker shows the impact to be outside off.

Change of ends now for Potts. 3-1-16-0 from the other end.

FOUR! Not the best of shots but Head will take it. A fuller ball, following the batter down the leg side from around the wicket, Travis Head looks to flick but is a tad late onto the shot. The ball takes the inside edge and scoots past the sliding effort from Adil Rashid at short fine leg. 19 from Carse's opening over!

We have lost the ball now. The umpires are checking for the replacement ball. Ready to resume.

SIX! PLUNDERED! A short ball, around off, coming in with the angle, Head fetches this and pulls it magnanimously over deep square leg! 257 more needed from 193 balls.

FOUR! Nothing lucky about this one. Carse goes full and Travis Head goes down a touch on his knee and lofts this nicely over cover. 50-STAND UP IN 40 BALLS!

On a length, just outside off, Travis feels for it but misses.

EDGED, FOUR! That is the way he plays. Carse goes short and Head immediately takes him on. Attempts the pull but is done in by the pace. Gets a top edge which flies over the keeper and lands just in front of the fine leg fence. 267 more needed from 196 balls.

Starts well, does Carse. On a good length, outside off, making it to move away, Mitchell Marsh pushes it towards deep third for a single.

First change of the evening. Brydon Carse to bowl.

Misfield. Very full, around middle, Travis whips it straight to Liam Livingstone at square leg. But the fielder takes his eyes off the ball and it escapes through the formed London Bridge. Livingstone himself has to get up and retrieve the ball and Head comes back for the second by then.

Very full, nearly a yorker, outside off, the skipper pushes it towards mid on for a run.

Back to bowling length balls, without much room, Marsh tries to create some room by moving a bit to the leg side and then attempting to force it through the off side. Only manages a bottom edge down the pitch.

FOUR! PLUNDERED! A rare bad ball from Archer. Short and wide outside off, Mitchell Marsh latches onto the opportunity and flays his arms at it, getting the cut over point. Never intended to keep it down.

On a good length again, much closer to the off stump this time. Head taps it in front of cover and takes a quick single. 279 more needed from 202 balls.

On a good length wide outside off, Travis Head slashes hard but misses. Feet were nowhere near the ball, forget the bat.

Was there a noise? Potts asks, Smith is not sure. On a length, outside off, MM comes down the track and looks to hammer it through the off side but misses. The ball deviates in a long way and the keeper, Jamie Smith, does really well to follow the ball to his left, dive to that side and take it.

Around off, on a good length, Mitch pushes it towards cover.

On a good length, just outside off, moving away at the last moment. The Bison pushes at it, getting a thick outside edge which flies wide of second slip. Jofra Archer is a tad slow in getting to the ball and even slower in releasing it. Should have been just a single but gets doubled.

A short ball now, but pace taken off. From outside off, the skipper looks to pull but is early into the shot and gets hit on the back.

SIX! MURDERED! Finally Marsh connects with one. Back of a length, outside off, Mitchell Marsh launches into this one, pulling it comfortably over mid-wicket.

On a good length, outside off, Mitchell Marsh walks down the track and looks to defend but the ball straightens and beats the outside edge.

Around off, on a length, moving away, Head nearly guides it into the keeper's mitts.

FOUR! IMPERIOUS! Jofra Archer tries something different and alters his length. Goes full, outside off and Travis Head hammers it down the ground, beating mid off to his left. 288 more needed from 211 balls.

Comes over the wicket to the right hander, does Archer. Bends his back and bowls a length ball, but down the leg side, with extra bounce. Mitchell Marsh looks to tuck it away but gets tucked away for room instead. The ball rolls off his pads and the batters take a leg bye. Archer puts in an appeal for LBW but that was hitting the 6th stump down the leg side.

A short ball, but down the leg side, Travis swivels with his right leg in the air and helps the ball down to fine leg for a single.

Similar line and length, Head gets bat on ball this time, pushing the ball towards point.

Perfect from Archer. Hits the line at the top of off, on a good length, gets Travis Head to play away from his body and then makes the ball move away from the batter, to beat the outside edge.

Beauty this time. Matthew Potts bowls it on a good length, just outside off, MM looks to defend but the ball pitches and then straightens a touch, to square Marsh and beat the outside edge. Technically a maiden for Potts.

Perhaps a change in pace this time. A length ball, outside off, coming in massively, Mitch winds up for a big pull but is months early into the shot. Misses and is hit on the pad, prompting an appeal from the close-in fielders. But nothing much from the bowler. Going down leg.

Good-length ball, just outside off, The Bison cannot get it away. Pushes it to cover-point.

On a good length, outside off, the skipper pushes it towards cover.

Better from Potts, landing it just outside off, keeping it full, Marsh defends.

FOUR LEG BYES! Down the leg side, Mitchell Marsh cannot get bat on it but the ball runs off his hips, past the keeper, to his left and into the fine leg fence.

Outside off, dabbed into the off side. An eventful opening over from Archer.

A length ball, just outside off, coming in, Travis has a mindless hack and misses.

Good comeback by the bowler. Bends his back and bowls a sharp short ball, around off, gets it to come in with te angle, Head is squared up in defense and is beaten on the outside edge.

SIX! That will frustrate Archer even more. He bowls a fast ball but it is full and on the pads. Travis Head gets off the mark in some style as he whips it nonchalantly over backward square leg. 298 more needed from 225 balls.

TOP EDGE, BUT NOT TAKEN! Massive miscommunication and the bowler is not happy. Another quick short ball from Archer and Marsh instantaneously goes for the hook. Like the previous ball, he is hurried onto the shot and gets a massive top edge. The ball goes high in the air and two players go after it in the direction of fine leg - Jamie Smith, the keeper and Will Jacks, from first slip. Now, Jacks assumes that the keeper will go for it but strangely, Smith does not call at all. In the end, Jacks has to dive and eventually, he does not even get fingertips to it. A single taken with that let off.

Fiery from Archer. Bowls a sharp short ball, around off, Mitchell Marsh looks to go for the pull but is beaten by pace, taking a blow on the left chest.

Jofra Archer to bowl from his favourite end at Lord's - The Pavillion End.

Around middle and off, well kept out. Barring those wides, not a bad start from Potts.

On a good length, coming back in from outside off, from around the wicket, Travis Head hops and dabs it towards mid on.

Big deliberation from England. But they don't review. Mitch walks down the track and Matthew Potts bowls a sharp indipper from a length outside off. Marsh gets hit on the pads and then the ball goes off the bat towards mid off. The batters take a quick single and Harry Brook has a big debate with Jamie Smith. Two questions are asked - 1. Whether the ball hit the pad first or at all 2. Where was the impact. There is no definite answer and Brook does not want to waste a review. Good decision too. Ball Tracker shows the impact to be outside off.

WIDE. Third one of the over. All identical. Down the leg side, flick shot missed.

Potts corrects his line this time. Bowls it just outside off and gets the ball to move around. The Bison is squared up and pushes at it. Gets a thick outside edge which flies to the right of second slip. By the time deep third gets across, two runs are taken.

ANOTHER WIDE. Potts struggling with ihs line at the moment, bowls one more length ball down the leg side. The skipper cannot connect with his flick once more.

WIDE. Potts sprays this down the leg side, Marsh cannot connect.

Around off, punched down the track.

A length ball, down the leg side, Mitchell Marsh flicks it to the right of short fine leg. Deep square leg gets across and puts in a dive, keeping the batters to a couple.

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.

A huge appeal for a caught behind! Started by Inglis, joined by Hazlewood. The umpire pays no heed and Inglis convinces Marsh to take the final review for Australia. It was a short ball, around middle and leg, Jacob Bethell shaped up for the reverse pull but missed it. The keeper, Josh Inglis collected it and seemed to be the most interested, claiming he heard a noise. Nothing on UltraEdge. It did not even clip the shirt. No more reviews left for Australia in this innings, though wonder, whether the water has already gone onto the roof.

Very full, outside off, Bethell drives it towards long off for one.

Gutsy? Risky? Lucky? Square leg and fine leg are up inside the circle and Mitchell Starc goes for the bouncer. He rolls his fingers over it and perhaps that's why, gets away with it. Jacob Bethell is early into the pull and misses, getting hit on the body.

Goes down the leg side, keeps it full, Liam looks to swing but misses. That was a buffet ball, with fine leg up. Luckily for Starc, the batter does not get any bat on it. The ball deflects off his pads towards short fine leg and a leg bye is taken.

Very full, around off, Livingstone hammers it straight back to the bowler who is able to stop the ball and bear the sting.

SIX! FETCH THAT! This guy is in some merciless mood. Starc misses his mark, goes for the yorker, but delivers a half volley. Liam Livingstone gets under it, targets the bigger part of the boundary and clears it with ease. Miles over long off. 8th six of the innings, 3rd for Livingstone.

Full, outside off, Jacob Bethell drives it towards long off for a single.

Mitchell Starc is back on. 6-0-34-0 so far.

Very full, around middle, Jacob Bethell can only drag it towards long on for a single. 11 from the over.

A slight delay here. The physio is out in the middle, to check on Livingstone. Questions are asked, they are being answered, the helmet is checked and here we go again. All in readiness. Meanwhile, the umpire informs Hazlewood and the batters that it was the second bouncer of the over.

Gosh from Josh. A slower-ball bouncer alright, but it has pinned Livingstone. Right on the helmet. Liam is early into his hook and misses the ball, getting hit on the gear. The ball rolls towards fine leg and a single is taken. Leg bye signalled.

WIDE. A bumper, around middle, Liam looks to hook but misses. The square leg umpire signals a wide for height and Hazlewood ain't happy. That always looked high above the head to the naked eye.

SIX! FEROCIOUS! Hazlewood misses, Livingstone punishes. Right in the slot, outside off, just short of full, tailing in slightly, Liam Livingstone targets mid-wicket and hits the kitchen sink out of the ball, sending it rows into the crowd.

A slower ball, on a hard length, just outside off, Livingstone tries to be cheeky, bending his back and trying to ramp it over the keeper, but misses.

Slower ball, short in length, Jacob Bethell is early into his pull and mistimes it over mid-wicket for a run.

A yorker, just outside off, Liam Livingstone digs it out towards cover and takes a quick single.

Josh Hazlewood returns. 6-1-25-1 so far.

Slower again, fuller this time, on middle and leg, Jacob pushes it through mid on but Adam Zampa dives to his left to make a good stop. Just the six from that over and a good couple of overs for Zampa to finish, but overall, it has been a forgetful bowling display - 8-0-66-2.

Slower through the air now, on middle, pushed back to the bowler.

SIX! Excellent release of pressure! Bethell was getting under pressure having scored just 2 from his first 9 balls but he hits his way out. Quicker from Zampa, the wrong 'un, outside off, Jacob Bethell picks the line and quickly gets into position, reverse-sweeping it over deep third!

Zampa sees Bethell baack away and bowls a slow googly outside off. Jacob has to reach out and times his cover drive straight to the fielder.

Very full, outside leg, Bethell stays leg side of the ball and drives it back to the bowler.

Floated, around middle, Jacob Bethell comes down the track and defends.

A touch short, around off, Bethell works it towards long on for a run. Good comeback by Maxwell after that first-ball six, but still, a massive gamble by Marsh to bowl off spin at this juncture. Now that's a separate thought that every bowler is being given a tour of Lord's.

Outside off, Jacob Bethell punches it straight to point.

Quicker, around middle, LL uses his feet and bunts it down to long on. Wants the second but Bethell cannot make it. So they abort the thought.

Shorter but slower, outside off, Liam looks to cut but misses.

Slower through the air, around off, Livingstone can only dig it back to the bowler.

SIX! CREAMED! Big gamble by Marsh, to give Maxwell this over. And Livingstone makes him pay. Flighted, outside off, Liam Livingstone gets down on a knee and crashes the slog sweep miles over wide long on! 250 UP FOR ENGLAND, 35 balls to go.

Down the leg side, this time Livingstone uses his feet and drives it towards long on for another single.

Dragged short by Zampa but he gets away with it. JB can only pull it straight to deep square leg for one to get off the mark.

Tossed up wider outside off, Jacob looks to drive but can only get a bottom edge back to the bowler.

Flighted, around middle, Bethell uses his feet, gets to the pitch of the ball and drives the ball towards cover.

On middle and leg, Jacob Bethell flicks it towards short fine leg.

Full, around off, Liam Livingstone pushes this through mid off for a single.

Jacob Bethell walks in at number 7, repalcing Jamie Smith.

OUT! CAUGHT! Maxwell gets a wicket. Nothing special about this delivery but because England are aiming for death-kill, one attacking stroke proves to be too many. Short, outside off, Jamie Smith rocks back and looks to cut but gets a thick outside edge instead. The ball goes straight to Josh Hazlewood at backward point. Smith departs for a fine 39 (28) and England are 241/5 with 7 overs left.

Lucky escape. Full, around middle, Livingstone looks to play another slog sweep but is early into the stroke. Gets a massive top edge which somehow eludes Adam Zampa at short third, going over his head. A run taken.

FOUR! CRASH! A full toss, outside off, Liam Livingstone gets down on a knee and slog sweeps this powerfully through mid-wicket. There is a fielder in the deep who rushes across to his right, dives, but cannot get to the ball.

There's a little bit of rain falling now. But the clouds are broken, so this should only be a passing shower.

Outside off, thumped through cover for a run.

Another long hop, Jamie Smith just pulls it over the bowler, down to long off, for a couple.

A touch short, around off, worked through  mid-wicket for a single.

Tossed up, full and on off, Smith plays it inside out through cover, Carey this time saves two in the deep with a sliding stop.

Catch it is the call but it lands safe! Full and sliding on the middle and leg, Smith slogs it over mid-wicket. The ball dribbles before the ropes. Marnus Labuschagne there converges from the deep mid-wicket region to his left and flicks the ball inside the field of play. Saves two for his side.

Very full on fourth stump, Smith opens the face of his blade and guides it to deep backward point for a brace.

Livingstone whips this full ball to long on for a single.

Liam Livingstone is in at number 6.

OUT! GLENN MAXWELL, YOU BEAUTY! He takes a phenomenal catch to dismiss the dangerous-looking Harry Brook.  A tossed-up delivery by Zampa, Harry Brook tries to take him on, clears the front foot, and goes for the aerial route looking to clear the long on region but doesn't find the connection well and airs it off the toe end. As a result, he doesn't generate much power and it only goes as far as the wide long on region where Maxwell runs to his left and dives low to take a very sharp catch in the deep.

Sliding on middle and leg, full in length, Jamie Smith tries to heave it across but inside edges it to the square leg region for a single.

A perfect yorker tailing away on off, Harry Brook looks to loft this over cover but misses out completely. The extra delivery doesn't cost much to Australia.

NO BALL! Josh Hazlewood oversteps. Good length around the pads, Jamie Smith flicks this towards wide long on and settles for one. Free-Hit up next!

Back of a length on off, Harry Brook looks to guide this past short third but ends up chopping this near the stumps and takes one. Good call from Jamie Smith.

Good length around off, Harry Brook guides this to short third for no run.

FOUR! Another brilliantly struck boundary from the bat of in-form Harry Brook. Josh Hazlewood looks to bowl another short-pitched delivery around middle and leg, the ball doesn't bounce enough and Harry Brook pulls this flat and hard through the square leg region for a boundary.

Back of a length around middle and off, Harry Brook dabs this to short third for a dot.

FOUR! Innovative and effective from the English skipper. Good length around middle and off, Harry Brook moves across and scoops this right of the middle up and over short fine leg for a boundary behind the short fine leg fielder.

Clever from Abbott. Bends his back, and darts a short-pitched delivery, following the batter to his leg. Jamie Smith was left with no room to swing his arms and he ends up leaving it.

Angling on the pads, this is worked away towards mid-wicket by Harry Brook for a single.

On a length, this is nudged towards mid-wicket by Harry Brook.

Run out or SIX RUNS? Abbott errs in line again, sliding down the leg side, Brook helps it down to fine leg and they attempt for the second run. The throw comes to Josh Inglis, the keeper, who has a shy at the bowler's end after finding Jamie Smith casually running. He has not planted his bat inside the crease and there is a direct hit. The ball ricochets past mid off and it's a boundary unless Smith is run out. The decision is referred upstairs. The replays show that Smith has plonked his feet just in time as the wickets got broken. He survives and England cash in six runs!

Slightly short and on off, Jamie Smith makes room and hits it to sweeper cover for a single.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Slower one, short and around off, Jamie goes on his toes, rides the bounce and pulls it convincingly towards mid-wicket. It's in the gap and a boundary.

A bit short on middle, hit across the line to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Plays a full ball back to the bowler.

Walks forward and pushes through the line but finds the fielder on the off side.

Full toss on off, drilled to wide long off for a couple.

SIX! Smashed away! Marnus Labuschagne tosses up a full toss around off, Smith finds it in his radar and launches it over the bowler's head for a biggie.

Full toss on middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a run.

Tossed up on middle, knocked down to long on for a single.

FOUR! Short and asking to be hit. Brook latches onto the room and swats it past Head at point for a boundary.

Drifting down the leg side, Brook tries to sweep but misses. He wears it on his pads.

Uses his feet and works it in the gap at mid-wicket for a run.

A near yorker around off from Zampa, Brook digs it out past the bowler to long off for a run.

Fuller and on middle, bunted down to long on for one.

FOUR! Off the top edge! Short and on middle, Brook rocks back to pull but it takes the top edge and flies to fine leg for a boundary.

Drifting down the leg side, Smith clips it behind square leg for another single.

Drops it short and on middle, it's pulled away to deep square leg for a couple.

Three wides! Wayward! Short and way down the leg side, way outside the reach of both the batter and keeper. Bonus runs.

Short and on middle, pulled to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Abbott goes short again and Jamie Smith pulls this towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Pace off, back of a length, and swings away, Smith heaves across the line as the ball dies before it reaches him.

On a shorter length, Harry Brook clips it through the leg side with soft hands and takes a couple of runs to end the over. 15 runs off Zampa's 4th over.

Flatter and quicker through the air on middle, Harry Brook knocks it back to the bowler.

SIX! Pulled away neatly! They are not letting Zampa to settle down at all and are compelling him to change his plans! Short and on the middle from Zampa, Harry Brook transfers the weight on the back foot and pulls it over deep mid-wicket for a huge six.

A straighter delivery, and quicker as well, Harry Brook nudges it to the fielder at mid-wicket.

Sliding on the pads, this is worked through the on side by Jamie Smith for a single.

SIX! Up, up, and away! A tossed up delivery by Zampa, pitched right in the slot, Jamie Smith clears his front foot and slogs it across and over cow corner for a six.

A CENTURY AT DURHAM, NOW A FIFTY AT LORD'S FOR BROOK! A true captain's knock by the English skipper! Tad short outside off, Harry Brook rides the bounce and cuts it through point for a couple of runs.

Pitched up and on middle and leg, Harry Brook wrists it with soft hands on the pitch.

A bit of an aggression there by Smith! Length, on middle, Jamie Smith skips down the track to attack it across with a heave, ends up inside edging it to the pads and the ball rolls to the off side in front of the covers. A single taken in the meantime.

On a length around off, knocked to mid off with soft hands.

Bowls it a tad short on middle and leg, Harry Brook works it through square leg for a single.

Full and on off, Harry Brook drives it through the line, to wide of mid on. Josh Hazlewood there runs and dives to his left to intercept the ball, but fails to cut it off properly as his knee gets stuck in the damp outfield and hence, he couldn't complete his slide. Parries the ball to the deep and allows a couple.

Doube change. Mitchell Marsh brings himself back on. 3-0-21-1 so far.

Pulls back his length does Zampa, Smith taps it back to the bowler.

Full and tossed up, outside off, Smith works it to cover.

With this being a shortend game and England on the charge, will we see Livingstone? Nope. Jamie Smith is in at number 5, replacing Ben Duckett.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! A four and out for Duckett and Zampa finally, gets a breakthrough! He cunningly bowls it comparatively slower in pace than the previous delivery, offers much more revolutions on the ball, pushes it full and on the leg stump line, Ben Duckett sits down to sweep it but couldn't quite get his bat underneath it properly. A misconnection means the ball takes the top edge and flies towards deep fine. Sean Abbott runs in from the ropes to his right and takes a good grab in the deep. Ben Duckett departs for a fantastic 63 (62) and England are 150/3 in 22.4 overs.

FOUR! This is good proactive batting! Half-tracker, outside off, Duckett uses the width to his benefit and slaps it through covers for a boundary.

A bit pulled back length, on the stumps, this is pulled over mid-wicket for a single.

Flat and quick, sliding on the stumps, Harry Brook gets behind the line and blocks it alertly.

Change of ends for Adam Zampa? Yup. 2-0-21-0 so far. He replaces Sean Abbott.

Dragged length, on the stumps, quicker in pace, Duckett works it to cover for a dot.

Length, outside off, punched to cover for one.

FOUR! That was a bit ordinary in the field there by Abbott! Length ball and on off, it turns into the batter sharply, Brooks whips it across through square leg. The ball rolls towards the deep and there are two fielders in the deep - Josh Hazlewood at deep square leg and Sean Abbott at deep mid-wicket. On second look, it seems like Hazlewood never really went for the chase, assuming that Abbott will do it while the latter does not pick the ball at all. All of a sudden, he realizes that he has work to do and harbours after the ball. Abbott puts in a late dive to his right, but all in vain.

FOUR! He has picked the gaps to perfection! Maxwell overcorrects himself and provides a lot of room outside off, Harry Brook cuts this short ball past the cover-point region for a boundary.

WIDE! Flat and quick, but way down leg, wided.

Some grip and turn there, surprisingly! Pitched on off, and turns away from the batter, Ben Duckett eases it to mid off for a single.

Dragged length around off this time, punched to wide of covers by Brook for a single.

WIDE! False start for Maxwell. Down leg on a length, Brook lets it pass.

With England getting on with their run rate, Ricky Ponting on air calls out to bring Josh Hazlewood back into the attack. Not a bad call, but Marsh's problem is that after that early burst with the new balls, none of the Aussie bowlers have shown control. Marsh tries to think out of the box and probably is eager to lure England into throwing their wicket away. On comes Glenn Maxwell. That is the thing with this current English squad. There is no first gear. They keep coming at you and either get themselves out or keep the throwing the balls out of the park.

What was Duckett trying to do here? This one zips from the good length, and leaves Duckett who is taken aback by the deviation. He tries to punch it off the back foot but realizes it angling away and manages to keep his bat out of the line.

Intentionally played in the air. Short and on off, Harry Brook rides on the bounce and plays it uppishly over mid-wicket. The ball dribbles towards the deep and they take a single.

Length, on the pads, Brook tucks it around the corner with soft hands and along the grass to the deep square leg region. He calls for the second and they complete it easily.

Anging across on a hard length, Ben looks to punch but gets a healthy slice off the outside edge that runs to deep third for a run.

FOUR! Innovative and so effective! Sean Abbott offers a fuller one, around off, Ben Duckett premeditates his shot, shuffles well across off and executes the ramp shot to perfection over deep fine for a boundary.

Fuller in the middle and leg stump line, Brook clips it to deep square leg for a single.

Full, outside off, lofted wide of long off for one.

Fuller, around off, Harry drives it straight to extra cover this time.

FOUR! Correction in line from Zampa, but wrong length! He drops it short and Harry Brook is quick as lightning to rock back and punch it through the covers. 50-STAND UP IN 35 BALLS! And Brook has scored 30 of those.

FOUR! Impressive footwork. Tossed up again, outside off, Brook jumps down the track and drives it beautifully between cover-point and extra cover. You can figure out how tiny that gap is. which gets threaded.

Tossed up, around off, Brook jumps down the track and drills it hard, but straight back to Adam Zampa who just about manages to make a half stop.

Full, outside off, Harry Brook mistimes his drive towards cover.

Around off, bunted through mid-wicket for one more.

Opportunity missed by Marnus Labuschagne. He will be disappointed with that. On a length, around leg stump, Ben works it towards the left of short mid-wicket and sets off for a quick single. Labuschagne charges onto the ball, goes for a one-handed pickup with his right hand, but probably thinks ahead of himself as he sees up before getting control of the ball. That makes him lose the grip of the ball and he fumbles. Small one-percenters like these can go a long way in changing the course of a game.

On a good length, around middle, Duckett mistimes his punch back down the track.

Short and wide outside off, slashed hard. Probably deserved more on that. It flies over point, but once it lands on the field, the ball slows down, allowing Adam Zampa to get to his left from deep third. Two runs taken.

Moves across a touch too early. Sean Abbott spots that and rolls his fingers over the ball, landing it on a length, around off. Ben Duckett looks to scoop but misses, beaten by the lack of pace. Even beats Josh Inglis, the keeper, who nearly lets it past him.

On a good length, around off, Harry Brook stays back, allows the ball to come to him and dabs it late to deep third for a single.

Starc's return not bearing fruit, Marsh turns to Sean Abbott. 3-0-24-0 so far.

Full and wide outside off, Brook drives this through the covers for one more. Very good from England, not letting Australia's best bowler settlle. 12 from Zampa's opener.

50 FOR DUCKETT, IN 51 BALLS. A magnificent knock thus far. After some indifferent form from the Sri Lanka series, he has finally managed to look good today. Will aim to make it big now. Gets there with a gentle nudge through square leg for a single.

SIX! Adam Zampa is not going to be allowed to settle. Tossed up, on leg stump, Duckett jumps down the track and lofts it cleanly, well wide of long on and even over him!

Fuller, outside off, driven through the covers for one. The stand moves to 30 from 22 balls.

A touch short, around leg stump, skids through, Duckett looks to pull but is hurried into the shot. Gets a bit of a top edge which does not carry to deep mid-wicket. A single taken. 100 UP FOR ENGLAND. This second set of 50 runs have come in 7 overs.

Full, around middle and leg, Ben Duckett clips it wide of long on for a couple.

DRINKS BREAK. Well, the scorecard seems to suggest that England are slowly getting a move on after an initial struggle. But if truth be told, the openers played the new balls brilliantly, seeing off the swing and are now reaping merits with the balls getting older. A few balls are sticking onto the surface and this may not be a typical Lord's pitch after all. Wickets in hand and set batters will be the key. Ben Duckett has been in supreme touch while Harry Brook has come out like a war gun, looking to unleash himself on the opposition. Here's the man who was missed badly in Durham - Adam Zampa.

Down the leg side, flicked to deep mid-wicket for one more.

On a length, outside off, slashed through point for a single.

Boos around the ground! Well, well, well. This is not going to go down well amongst cricket experts and sports fans. A length ball, down the leg side, Harry Brook just looks to tuck it to the leg side, but is stangled for room. There is a noise as the ball goes past and when the keeper, Josh Inglis dives to his left and 'pouches' it, Australia appeal and umpire Joel Wilson raises his finger. Brook does not review this, but rather asks the square leg umpire whether it carried. The umpires get together and then heed Brook's request, sending it upstairs. Replays do show the ball hitting the glove of Brook, but bouncing well in front of Inglis! That comes up on the giant screen and the whole of Lord's boos as one. The decision is overturned, but here comes another surprise. Stuart Broad on air, actually supports Inglis, saying that sometimes, fielders don't realize when the ball bounces just in front of them. To this, Ian Ward, his co-commentator, chides him and asks, 'Supporting an Aussie at Lord's?' Broad has his justification but how many Ashes fans would have forgotten that famous edge from Broad to first slip in the 2013 edition where he refused to walk, citing that the umpire did not give it out? Well, well, well. This is going to be talked about for a while...

A short ball, but not high enough. Around off, Duckett swivels and pulls it towards long leg for one.

Similar ball, angling away from the right hander. Harry Brook waits for the ball to come to him and dabs it to the right of slip and takes a quick run.

On a good length, around middle, coming in with the angle, Ben Duckett helps it through mid-wicket for a single.

Full, on middle, Brook wrists it through mid-wicket where Steven Smith makes a diving stop this time, to his left. 11 from the over, Marsh's figures read 3-0-21-1.

WIDE. It is an extra ball but Brook nearly gives it away. He has faced 10 balls for his 16 thus far with 3 quality boundaries. And then, just like that, all of a sudden, he attempts an ungainly paddle. He misses as the ball is down the leg side, but he could have nearly scooped it straight to Josh Inglis.

FOUR! Whipped away hard, what an outstanding piece of timing from Brook! Looks like he has carried his form from Durham right through. On a length, around off, Harry Brook just whips it over mid-wicket and the ball simply races away.

Around middle and leg, Ben Duckett pushes it towards point with soft hands and takes a quick run.

It has gone a bit gloomy again. Dark clouds are loitering from the western end of the ground. Fingers crossed.

An outswinger this time, HB plays across the line, wristing it through mid-wicket for a single.

Excellent by Marnus Labuschagne. On a length, outside off, Brook punches it through point which is intercepted brilliantly by the Aussie, diving to his right.

FOUR! Lovely use of the feet! With Mitchell Marsh swinging the ball, Harry Brook looks to attack. Jumps down the track, completely taking his opposite number by surprise. Gets a length ball, on the pads and clips it through mid-wicket with sublime timing.

Full and wide outside off, Harry smashes this through the covers but there is protection in the deep. A single taken.

On a length, just around off, watchfully defended.

Back to you, skip! Well, after that earnest single on the previous ball, Ben Duckett calmly tucks this through mid-wicket, without any fuss and by the time mid on can get to the ball, three runs are taken.

Gets away from the firing line. On middle, the skipper pushes it towards mid on for a box-office seat at the non-striker's end with a single.

Better from Starc, as he gets it to angle the ball away from the right hander. Harry pushes at it but misses.

FOUR! That ball is not going to help Marsh or Starc. But it will help Brook. On a length, but down the leg side, coming in, Harry Brook just helps it to the fine leg fence.

Interesting. Marsh brings back Mitchell Starc. 4-0-20-0 so far. He wants the wicket of Brook early.

Very full, swinging in, Harry Brook pushes it wide of mid off to get off the mark with a single. 3 runs and a wicket from that over, Mitchell Marsh's figures read 2-0-10-1.

Skipper Harry Brook walks in at number 4, replacing Will Jacks.

OUT! CAUGHT! Only one man was screaming which was echoing through Lord's. And it was the bowler, who is bowling for the first time in ODIs, since the 2023 World Cup final. He is overjoyed, no doubt while the rest of the professional outfit is treating it like everyday work - make a plan, bowl to that plan and reap dividends. Australia have been trying to get Jacks drive or punch square of the wicket on the off side by bowling a bit wide. This is on a length, wide of off and Will Jacks goes hard at it, slicing it. It is in the air and Marnus Labuschagne makes no mistake moving to his left at backward point. Jacks departs for 10 and England are 71/2 after 13.5 overs.

Slightly held back this time, Will looks to punch but is early into the shot. Gets a bottom edge towards cover.

On a good length, outside off, Jacks pushes it towards mid on.

A touch wide, outside off, on a length again, Will Jacks throws his bat at it and ends up slicing the ball. It flies over point but the damp outfield does not allow it to reach the fence. Travis Head gets across to his left from sweeper cover and keeps the batters to a couple.

On a good length, outside off, pushed towards point.

Outside off, this time BD gets squared up and gets a bit of a leading edge as he looks to defend, The ball rolls towards point.

Outside off, angling away, Ben slashes but misses.

Short, outside off, punched through cover for a run.

FOUR! Stunning timing. Not a bad ball at all, on a good length, around off, coming in, Will Jacks just places this towards mid on. But the ball flies off the face of the bat, over mid on, even surprising Jacks, bringing a big smile across his face!

On a good length, around middle and leg, Duckett helps it through mid-wicket for a single.

A big grunt comes from Abbott as he delivers this ball. It is on a length, around middle and leg, Ben Duckett pushes it back to the bowler.

Outside off, pushed straight to point.

On middle and leg, helped through fine leg for a single.

FOUR! Lovely batting. Australia are bowling to a plan, forcing Duckett to drive but one cannot be so straight, with mid off and mid on so wide. And on top of it, Marsh overpitches and Duckett drives it beautifully through mid off.

WIDE. Down the leg side, short in length, Ben Duckett cannot connect with his tuck.

Outside off, Will pushes it between cover and point for a single.

Around off, this time, Jacks pushes at it and gets a thin outside edge. Because he played it with soft hands, it does not carry to Steven Smith at first slip, who dives to his right to stop the ball.

On a good length, outside off, straightaway some seam movement, Will Jacks pushes at it away from his body and is beaten.

Wow. With no Green, Mitchell Marsh sees a red signal and brings himself on.

FOUR! Well, that shows Duckett is improving his game. We normally don't see Duckett play down the ground but in this particular innings, he has made a conscious effort to play in the 'V'. Fuller, around middle, Ben Duckett drives it straight back past the bowler and with no conventional mid on or mid off, we don't even need to visit geometry to learn the meaning of bisection.

Down leg side again, this time it is worked to the right of fine leg for a couple.

Huge shout for LBW, but not given! Mitchell Marsh will challenge Joel Wilson's decision against Duckett again. Once more, the height seems to be the main issue, though, pitching could come into question as well. And in fact, the second point does come into question, PITCHING OUTSIDE LEG, review lost. Wilson gets it perfect this time. The length was decent, just short of good but then the ball skid back in to catch Duckett in his crease, late to flick, pinging him on the pads.

Back of a length this time, around middle, angling away, Ben Duckett pushes it towards Steven Smith at point.

Similar line and length, this time Jacks plays it with soft hands to the left of cover and scurries across for a quick single, 50 UP FOR ENGLAND.

On a good length outside off, coming in, Will Jacks pushes it towards cover.

Back of a length, away from off, Ben Duckett dabs it to backward point.

Pitched up around off, this is driven to the left of mid off where Short makes a diving stop to his left. Just a single.

Will Jacks walks in at number 3, replacing Phil Salt. Fresh from his best ODI innings a couple of days ago.

OUT! TAKEN! Josh Hazlewood strikes for Australia and provides the first breakthrough! Although, credits to Marnus Labuschagne for a sharp catch at point. Josh Hazlewood bowls a quicker one and stretches his length, full and around off, Phil Salt looks to drive it through the covers but the length is too full and he couldn't get his bat underneath the ball properly. Hence, ends up slicing it flat off the outer half of the bat towards Marnus Labuschagne stationed at point. He bends low and takes a sharp regulation catch. Phil Salt departs on 22 (17) and Hazlewood breaks the 48-run opening stand of England.

An appeal for LBW but again, height seems to be the issue here! Length ball, curling into the pads, Ben Duckett hops on the back foot and looks to clip it away and across, but misses to connect and it goes off his front pad to point for a leg bye.

A bit of a yes and no there! Length ball, slanting across off, Ben Duckett drops it off the back foot to the cover region and wants a single but Salt sends him back on a sharp call.

Hazlewood bowls full and quick on the stumps, Duckett knocks it back to the bowler.

Hazlewood's dive at fine leg in the previous over saw him wearing full sleeves. It suggests that maybe, his first spell is done. It is 12 degrees in London, so it is pretty chilly. No, it will still be Hazlewood.

Length on leg, Duckett misses to clip it through and the ball takes the pads before rolling wide of square leg for a single. Leg bye signalled. 12 from the over.

Oh, almost dragged on! Abbott bowls it closer to the off stump, on a fullish length, Ben Duckett is rooted with no foot movement at all and merely pushes at it, gets a thick inside edge that goes wide of the leg stump and runs down to deep fine. Josh Hazlewood from deep backward square leg charges in to his left and puts in a timely slide across to intercept the ball. Saves two for his team.

Ahh... unlucky for the bowler. On a length, outside off, Salt lashes at this one again but is too early into the shot and gets a thick inside edge. Luckily for him, it rockets past the stumps towards long leg. A single taken,

Full in length and just outside off, Salt gets ahead and pushes it to mid off.

FOUR! And again! Sean Abbott again offers some width, outside off, Phil Salt gets a good bounce and room as he cuts it past a diving Steven Smith at point for a boundary.

FOUR! Salt greets Abbott with a boundary! Offers some width on a length, outside off, Phil Salt pounces on it and cuts it hard over point for a cracking boundary.

Powerplay 2 time. 4 fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle for the next 23 overs. We have the first bowling change as well. Sean Abbott replaces Starc.

Full and outside off, Salt drives off the inside half towards short mid-wicket for a single to end Powerplay 1. England are 35 but they go unblemished so far.

Shade outside off on a length, Ben Duckett slashes hard at it to beat point where Glenn Maxwell dives to his right and gets a hand to it, slowing the pace of the ball as it rolls to deep point for a single.

Much fuller this time, aiming the off peg, Ben Duckett gets inside edged onto the pads as he tries to pushes it across.

Length in the channel, Ben Duckett steers it to point.

A good bounce on a length, Duckett plays all around it and gets a hit on the thigh pad after getting beaten on the inside edge.

Nipping away, on a length around off, Duckett eases it to point.

Fuller in length on the leg stump line, Ben Duckett goes for a flick shot but closes his bat's face a bit early and gets a leading edge that falls ahead of mid on. The fielder picks it up and has a shy at the non-striker's end. Had Abbott scored a direct hit, Ben Duckett was not even in the frame there. 10 from the over, England getting a move on now.

Misfield by Maxwell allows the single here! Full and outside off, Phil Salt pushes it to point where Maxwell makes an error and parries the ball behind to allow a single.

Good work there by Sean Abbott! Full and outside off, this is driven off the front foot towards the right of mid on. Although the timing isn't that great as the bat twists in Duckett's hands and travels to the long on region. Sean Abbott chases it from mid on and keeps it to three with a slide.

FOUR! Nicely played! Fairly outside off and moving away, on a fullish tad length, Ben Duckett takes a stride forward he knows the fielders are in the ring and lofts it over covers for a boundary.

WIDE! Length ball, down leg, Duckett misses to flick and the umpire calls for a wide.

A huge ambitious appeal from the Aussies for LBW but the umpire is unmoved! Mitchell Marsh marches towards Starc enquiring about the impact and signals the 'T' to challenge the on-field decision. Only the height might be the saviour here for the left hander. This is on a fractionally fuller length, but in front of the stumps, Ben Duckett is a bit late to bring his bat in line and the ball even nips back into the southpaw and cuts him into half. He plays through over the line of the ball and wears on his pads. Nothing on UltraEdge and the Ball Tracking shows that the ball is clipping the top of the pegs on the umpire's call. Australia does not lose the review and Duckett survives an early scare. Starc is frustrated with umpire Joel Wilson. He clearly wanted that umpire's call in his favour and certainly believed that it was gone.

Starc hurls it full and around off, Ben Duckett prods on the front foot and drives it straight to mid off.

Time for a change? Or does Starc get one more? He does get one more.

On the good length, outside off and moving away, Salt again, gets beaten on the outside edge as he attempts to drive it away.

Not quite full and not quite on the good length, nipping back, Phil Salt punches it solidly to pierce the covers but Marnus Labuschagne there does well with a slide to intercept the ball and prevent any run.

Oh, this one nips back in! Length, angling at off, Phil Salt fends it off the inner half of the bat to the bowler.

Full and outside off, nipping away, Phil Salt goes for a drive but only to get beaten on the outside edge.

EDGED AND OVER THE SLIPS FOR A FOUR! Length ball, just on the fourth stump line, it bounces a bit more off the surface, Phil Salt slashes hard at it so that it doesn't carry to the slips. It does fly over the cordon, taking the thick outside edge for a boundary at deep third.

Hard length, around off, Phil Salt gets across a bit and taps it through the point region for a couple of quick runs.

Nice and full, outside off, Duckett pushes it to cover to end the 5th over.

An attempted inswinging yorker, Salt stays leg side and shovels it to mid off for a quick single.

Not exactly where he wanted to hit! Nice and full in front of the stumps, Phil Salt charges down the track to tonk it down the ground but finds the inner half of the bat. The ball travels straight to the bowler and Starc puts his right leg in the way. The ball ricochets off his foot and rolls through wide of mid on for a couple of runs.

Length ball, onto the pads, Phil Salt glances it to the mid-wicket region.

Hits the tight line and length again does Starc. Full and on middle and leg, Phil Salt is beaten all ends up on this one as he pushes at it inside the line of the ball and it goes over the pegs.

Much fuller in length and tailing a bit into the batter around off, Phil Salt looks to drive it through the covers but ends up slicing it towards point where Glenn Maxwell does well to collect it on the bounce.

Ah well. That explains the exclusion of Green. Michael Atherton on air informs us that Cameron Green has been diagnosed with a stress fracture on his back, when he went for scans this morning. He felt some discomfort during the third ODI and now, with this fracture, he is ruled out of this series with immediate effect. This comes as a big blow to the Aussies who are just about to start their big home summer. The bumper prize would be the Test series against India and the Aussies will be desperate to have him fit for that series.

Goes full and outside off, Duckett gets forward and defends it firmly to mid off and straightaway denies for a run.

FOUR! A genuinely good shot! First boundary of the day for England! A bumper from Hazlewood now, on the bodyline, Ben Duckett is ready on the back foot and pulls it along the ground for a boundary at deep backward square leg.

Full and around off, angling across, Ben Duckett looks to defend it with a hard push but misses.

A length delivery angling on pads, Ben Duckett misses to glance it away off the hips and the ball clips his thigh pad before rolling towards long leg for a couple of leg byes.

Holds onto his line does Josh Hazlewood, back of a length with some extra bit of bounce on offer off the deck, on the middle, Ben Duckett goes for a block but inside edges it onto his pads. The ball rolls towards the off side.

On a tight line, on middle, Phil Salt finds himself cramped up for room and awkwardly tucks it wide of mid-wicket for a quick single. Salt will be happy to be at the non-striker's end against Hazlewood for the moment.

And another double! Good length, outside off, Ben Duckett punches it off the back foot through covers and completes the second run quite comfortably to end the third over.

Angling onto the pads this time, Duckett tucks it towards deep backward square leg for a brace.

First shot in anger. On a length and wide of off, Ben Duckett throws his bat at it horizontally and gets a thick top edge that flies over the slips. Adam Zampa is a bit square at deep third and by the time he can get to the ball, a couple of runs are taken. First runs for Duckett.

Excellent delivery! This one moves away from the batter on a fuller length, with the seam positioning towards the slips, Ben Duckett goes for a forward block but he doesn't commit fully on the front foot and gets beaten on the outside edge. That's the second time in two overs that Starc has gone past the outside edge.

Full in length, on the stumps, Ben Duckett pushes at it to mid on.

OH DROPPED! Those stick sometimes and sometimes not! Full and shade outside off, Ben Duckett weighs on the front foot and drives it firmly straight but flat in the air towards the bowler. Mitchell Starc does extend his right hand towards the ball but it gets parried behind him. Maybe it came as a surprise for Starc as Duckett usually does not hit down the ground. His strengths are square of the wicket and behind.

Hard length, on off, Salt gets behind the line and eases it in front of the mid off fielder. A maiden over to start with for Josh Hazlewood.

An extra gully comes in place now. Salt walks ahead a couple of steps to negate the swing as Josh Hazlewood sticks to his length, at off, Phil Salt looks to push it across but gets a healthy inside edge onto the pads.

The ball is just whispering the edges! A bit full in length, with a variable bounce off the deck, deviating away from off, Phil Salt brings the bat down straight but misses and the ball passes over the off peg beating his outside edge.

Josh Hazlewood keeps the line of attack outside off and hits the nagging length with an away movement, Phil Salt again goes for a square cut but misses.

A full ball outside off, shaping away from the batter. Phil Salt has a feel for it and weighs half forward with a tentative push and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Hazlewood with two slips in for him, hits the deck hard, around off and it nips back in fractionally. Phil Salt stands tall and tries to slash it away but inside edges over the stumps and back to the keeper.

Will it be Josh Hazlewood from the other end with the second new ball? Indeed it will be. Starc's partner-in crime for more than a decade now. However, this series has not gone as per his standards.

Absolute seed of a delivery from Starc! This one curves away sharply on a fuller length, starts from the off stump and leaves the batter. Ben Duckett pushes towards it and plays inside the line of the ball and gets beaten on the outside edge. A good positive start for Australia.

Too full and outside off, Duckett hits it through the line but a bit off the inner half of the bat towards mid off.

Starc hits the right length, that in-betweener with a tinge of an away movement, over the top of off, Ben Duckett gets behind the line and guides it with soft hands to covers.

Michael Atherton on air informs us that Sunday, 29th September, 2024, which is the date for the 5th and final ODI of this series, is the latest any cricket match or series will be played in England. It has been a big summer for England, which has seen plenty of cricket and they will now want to culminate the same with a series win.

Two slips in place for the left hander. Mitchell Starc spears in a well-directed yorker on off with a hint of away movement, Ben Duckett bends low and jams his bat down in time.

England and Salt are underway with a single! Length ball angling on the pads, Phil Salt chips it a bit uppishly towards the deep mid-wicket region to get off the mark.

Some movement straightaway for Starc. He charges in from over the stumps and gets an inward curve on a good length on the top of the middle and leg, Salt tries to nudge it across but plays the wrong line and gets wrapped on the thigh pad.

Okay. So finally, a game which should have begun at 11.30 am GMT, is all set to get underway after a delay of 135 minutes. The players are all out in the field. The usual openers for England have taken their positions - Phil Salt and Ben Duckett. Mitchell Starc has the first new ball in his hand. He is going to get things underway, bowling to Salt.

So where does this revised condition scenario leave our calculations? 39 overs means 4 bowlers should bowl a maximum of 8 overs each. And now the Powerplays should be - 8 overs, 23 overs and 8 overs. Again, this is as per us. Awaiting the match officials' confirmation on the same.

UPDATE - 13.27 GMT -  And as unpredictable as the weather gets in the UK, just within the span of a few minutes, the covers are coming off. Also, the overhead conditions have turned much better now. And just as we speak, we have got the official start time and the revised playing conditions. The play will start at 13.45 GMT and it has been reduced to a 39-OVER PER SIDE contest now. The innings break will be of 20 minutes and there will be only 1 DRINKS BREAK.

UPDATE - 13.17 GMT - There's positive news coming in now! The rain seems to have stopped, well, for now, at least. The covers are still intact on the ground and the ground staff is working hard doing all the mopping ops so that we get the play started soon. But given how wet and damp the conditions have gotten due to the downpour, it will further slow down the pitch. Also, in all probabilities, we might see a further reduction in the overs if the game doesn't commence soon. Stay tuned for further updates.

Boooo! Well, we did mention that there is a drizzle lurking around the corner. And now, that naughty drizzle has turned into heavy rain. Sigh. Not only is the Hover cover on, but additional covers come on as well. This does seem like a wet day. And night. We are not going anywhere though - please stay tuned for updates.

England captain, HARRY BROOK, says that he too, would have bowled first. Is happy with the way England played all-round cricket on Tuesday, having a special mention for Will Jacks. On choosing to play Jofra Archer for successive games, Harry admits that Sunday's wet forecast did have a role in this decision.

Australian skipper, MITCHELL MARSH, says that he hopes that the change in coin brings about a change of luck in this tour. Is happy to inform that his side is at full strength, recovering from illnesses. Admits that it was a difficult choice to leave out either of Inglis or Carey, so decided to pick both.

So the visitors have probably got in their first-choice XI, though the inclusion of Inglis / Carey over Green is debatable. Inglis will don the gloves while Carey plays as a pure batter. The main returnees are Travis Head and Adam Zampa, though it will be a challenge for the latter to bowl with the wet ball. England, on the other hand, have chosen to give Jofra Archer another go, since there was a couple of days' rest from the previous game. Additionally, there are murmurs of Sunday not in a position to host the 5th ODI, with the forecast not being that great on that day either. If England manage to level the series tonight, let's keep our fingers crossed that we are not deprived from a series decider.

Australia (Playing XI) - Travis Head (IN FOR MATTHEW SHORT), Mitchell Marsh (C), Steven Smith, Josh Inglis (WK) (IN FOR CAMERON GREEN), Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Sean Abbott, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa (IN FOR AARON HARDIE) and Josh Hazlewood.

England (UNCHANGED Playing XI) - Phil Salt, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Harry Brook (C), Jamie Smith (WK), Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, Adil Rashid, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer and Matthew Potts.

TOSS TIME! It does seem like the drizzle has returned but it is not big enough for the flip of the coin to be stalled. Mitchell Marsh calls it correctly and AUSTRALIA ELECT TO CHASE. Not surprising, looking at the conditions overhead and a flat pitch (to the naked eye) underneath. The official start time for the game is scheduled at 1 PM GMT, assuming that this drizzle does not pick up.

In other news, West Indies legend DWAYNE BRAVO has called it quits from all forms of cricket. The evergreen cricketer was probably forced into this decision after a groin injury ruled him out of the ongoing Caribbean Premier League. Bravo sustained that injury while fielding in a game of the same tournament. The West Indian great will always be remembered as one of the key architects in West Indies' renaissance in T20 cricket, with his variety of slower balls continuing to bluff batters even in this era.

Given that Australia are playing in this series, let's talk about someone who has emulated probably the greatest cricketer to have ever graced this planet, with due respect to all stalwarts. We are talking about Sir Don Bradman. Young Kamindu Mendis' name got etched in the record books today, as he became the fastest batter to 1000 runs in Test cricket, in the last 75 years, enroute his innings of 182 against New Zealand in the ongoing second Test. This is his 13th Test inning, equalling the DON in reaching that milestone, which means both stand third in the list of the fastest batters to get to 1000 Test runs, behind Herbert Sutcliffe and Sir Everton Weekes. Kamindu averages 91.27 in the format currently, and on 9 occasions out of 13, he has crossed 50 - 5 of those 9 getting converted into triple digits. Let's hope Sri Lanka have discovered their new Marvan Atapattu, an Aravinda de Silva, a Roshan Mahanama, a Mahela Jayawardene or a Kumar Sangakkara. Wishing him and his nation all the very best.

The players are warming up on the field now. So how do these 43 overs pan out? Let's start off from the bowling point of view. 3 bowlers can bowl a maximum of 9 overs each and 2 bowlers can a maximum of 8 overs apiece. Talking about the Powerplays, they should be split into segments of 9 overs, 26 overs and 8 overs respectively. But this is our calculation, not the official word. Given that our marks in math were not too convincing to be remembered, let's let the match officials give us the proper numbers.

Coincidence? Well, a pretty nice one at that. We just mentioned that Brendon McCullum has turned 43 today and on his 43rd birthday, the team which he is coaching will be playing a 43-overs-a-side contest! That seems a bit quizzical, because even though we don't have an official statement on the match start time, what this allotment indicates is that there has been no consideration made for the day-night contest. Probably this is keeping in mind the forecast for the evening and the anticipation of more showers and a stop-start game. Let's hope we don't get any more interruptions.

Happy birthday, Baz! England's full-time coach across formats now, BRENDON MCCULLUM, turns 43 today. He has been a terrific influence in turning things around for England in the red-ball format and his appointment as the all-format coach could prove a decisive factor for them in the white-ball game, with the Champions Trophy scheduled in 2025 and then a couple of World Cups to follow in 2026 and 2027. There has been a constant talk about England being inexperienced in this format but McCullum has this keen instinct to discover gems. He formed a bond with Ben Stokes in the Test format and has now struck a chord with Harry Brook in this series. Brook's approach with bat and on the field as a captain is almost a mirror image of what Baz was, in his playing days. And with those birthday wishes, a huge cheer goes around the ground as the covers are almost rolled off and the TOSS IS SCHEDULED AT 12.30 PM GMT! Hurray!

Having mentioned about more cricket in the UAE, are you ready for the next big thing in the sport? The Middle East gets ready to welcome 10 teams across the globe as the 9th edition of the Women's T20 World Cup is all set to kick off from the 3rd of October, 2024. This was originally scheduled in Bangladesh but due to political unrest, the venue got shifted and a few fixtures were tweaked. As always, Australia come in as favourites, but after Meg Lanning's retirement, they haven't looked the same since. England have played dominant cricket for the last 12-odd months or so and can easily stake a claim but also the fact that the pitches could be slow and low in the UAE, India could have a golden chance to win their maiden title. With 20 league matches, followed by two semifinals and the big final, the next carnival of cricket is almost at our doorstep!

More cricket coming up in the Middle East. October is usually the season for cricketing action in the UAE and after we witnessed a fairly one-sided ODI series between Afghanistan and South Africa, surprisingly in favour of the Afghans, the Proteas line up for more action as they gear up to meet Ireland for a couple of T20Is, starting tonight, followed by 3 ODIs. The Saffas would have been hurt by their lackadaisical approach towards spin with the bat and would be eager to hone their skills in this series. Arguably, even though this opposition may not provide that strong a contest as that of Afghanistan, but still, it can help boost South Africa's confidence.

Meanwhile. back in Sri Lanka, Devon Conway has been dismissed in a bizarre fashion. He was adjudged LBW, to which he reviewed, probably because of an inside edge, but then UltraEdge detected a spike when the ball passed the bat and he was given out caught at slip! Conway seemed to be agitated with that decision but not sure why. Either ways, it spells more doom for New Zealand who might get further away from making it to the final of the World Test Championship in 2025. They are 22/2 now, at Stumps on Day 2, after Sri Lanka posted a mammoth 602/5. The way things have panned out for the Lankans in the last one month, they have suddenly zoomed up to third spot in the WTC rankings and even though all factors point out to an India-Australia final, you never know - a one-sided series between the top two nations later this year could push one team to third and possibly, lift Sri Lanka to second!

11.30 AM GMT - Well, we should have been reading something around the lines of - 'Okay, here we go. The duo which turned on the heat for Kolkata in the 2024 edition of the Indian T20 League is set to meet again at opposite ends - Starc vs Salt'. Or, if it was Yellow batting and Blue bowling, then say, an Archer or a Potts to Travis Head. But given the consistent spells of showers over the past week in London and also the grim forecast for the day, we have not got anything rolling. However, amidst all the gloom, we have got a bit of positive news. The RAIN seems to have STOPPED for now and the groundstaff has started to make its way out to the middle. The drainage is usually good at Lord's, so all we need is for the rain to stay away, to still keep hoping for a full game. Remember, since this is a day-night match, we will have that extra hour's allowance before overs start getting curtailed.

While we await official word on the weather conditions, let's navigate around the globe and catch a brief highlight of the cricketing action that is going around. Currently, two Test series are ongoing in the Asian subcontinent. The first day of the second Test in Kanpur between India and Bangladesh was interrupted due to rain. Bangladesh was sent to bat first with their score reading 107/3 before the day's play was called off. Moving south, Sri Lanka continues to assert its dominance over the Kiwis as on the second day of the 2nd Test in Galle, the hosts have mounted a huge score of 602/5 before declaring the innings after tiring out the Kiwi bowlers for 163 overs. Sri Lanka's batting was highlighted by Dinesh Chandimal's 116, Kusal Mendis' unbeaten 106. But, it was the consistent Kamindu Mendis who remained as the bright shining star as he churned 182. New Zealand finds itself in all sorts of trouble as they have already lost a wicket pretty early in their innings with an Everest to climb.

Well, the current update is not that promising. The ground is covered under the sheets as it is raining in London. Not an official word for now, but it probably looks like the toss is going to be delayed. Please stick around for further updates.

With all said and done, is a comeback on the cards for Travis Head? Will Adam Zampa be included in the Australian lineup? And might England opt for an additional pacer? There are plenty of questions running in the minds, so stay tuned for the toss and the team updates to get all the answers.

Recent history at Lord's favours England, who have won all three ODIs played here since the 2019 World Cup. However, Australia holds the long-term advantage, having denied England victory at this venue since 2012 and maintaining a 9-5 overall lead. England will be keen to improve their record this time around.

The weather over London has hovered with rains for the last few days, and the conditions are expected to remain overcast with inconsistent spells of showers in the afternoon. So, given the conditions, captains might feel safe to go with seam-heavy bowling in order to extract that movement and variable bounce to tackle the slow nature of the pitch. Australia already strode out with five pacers in the last game though. While England might tweak in another seamer from the bench. With Reece Topley ruled out due to illness, Saqib Mahmood, Olly Stone, and John Turner remain their bets as pace options in the reserves.

Fairly to say about the Aussies, the way this tour has panned out for them, they might say everything is alright as almost every member has stepped up in need and has contributed. Be it Travis Head’s century in the first match, or Marsh’s crucial knock in the second or Cameron Green’s all-round stints shouldered with Steven Smith’s masterful knocks up top. But, it has been Alex Carey who has scored the most tough runs while batting with the lower middle order along with Aaron Hardie. The propulsion that they have provided has led the tourists to add more impetus towards the backend. In bowling, the Starc-Hazlewood-Abbott trio has done its job sincerely as well. Although the need for a full-time spinner is crucial for them, and Zampa’s return would fill in that void.

The biggest factor for the English side is the inconsistency with the bat. Obedient to their Bazball approach, they've been quick off the blocks for sure, but this approach, has occasionally seen them caught on a sticky wicket, holing out when consolidation was the need of the hour. Young gun and now the skipper, Harry Brook, however, showed his mettle last time courtesy of a captain's innings and showed how to build an ODI knock. Will Jacks has proved to be an inseparable asset as a batting all-rounder as well. While the bowling unit, on the whole, has displayed a decent fighting spirit against their counterparts. Also, it remains to be seen whether Archer is provided with another stint, given the concerns about his workload management.

The previous encounter saw England finally hit their straps, though the weather played spoilsport, cutting the innings short and preventing a full 50-over game. Despite this glimpse of ascendancy, the hosts still have a few rough edges to smooth out. Meanwhile, the reigning World Champions, Australia have almost ticked all boxes in this series - from batting to bowling, seemingly holding all the aces. But they have been marred with some illness in the camp on this English tour.

Greetings, folks! London is flocking and echoing with cricket fans as it welcomes the two oldest rivals to lock horns at the ‘Home of Cricket’. We are at the Lord’s Cricket Ground for the penultimate ODI between England and Australia in this 5-match ODI series. Trailing by 1-2 so far, the hosts will be eager to level the series. While the tourists donning yellows would like to seal the deal before the caravan heads to Bristol for the final game.

... MATCH DAY ...

This limited-overs format tour of Australia in England has elevated the rivalry to the next level. After a stalemate in the T20Is, the anticipation for the second edition of white ball cricket was high. The first three ODIs have replicated the same and have treated fans with sheer entertainment. Australia dominated the first two ODIs, securing decisive victories. However, England bounced back strongly in the third match, albeit with assistance from the DLS method due to weather interruptions. This win has kept England's hopes alive, transforming the final two matches into must-win encounters for the home team. Also, England disrupted Australia’s 348-day and 14-match winning streak in the ODIs. The series now stands delicately poised, with both sides eager to claim overall victory. England's resurgence in the previous game was largely due to Harry Brook's exceptional performance. His masterful century, delivered under pressure, coupled with Will Jacks’ all-round contributions proved to be the turning point for the hosts. However, England's overall batting performance in the series has been inconsistent. While several batters have made promising starts, they've often failed to convert these into substantial scores, a shortcoming they must ponder. While they've remained committed to their aggressive ‘Bazball’ approach, there's a growing need to balance this with more responsible batting. The English bowling unit has displayed moments of excellence. Jofra Archer's performance could be a decisive factor for the home team. Encouragingly, Brydon Carse has emerged as an effective addition to the pace attack, while the spin bowlers have maintained a consistent level of performance. It will be interesting to see whether England sticks to its winning combination or make some tweaks. Considering Archer’s workload management, England could utilize Reece Topley or Saqib Mahmood as well. Despite the recent setback, Australia maintains a strong position in the series. Their batting lineup has demonstrated considerable depth, with runs flowing from various sources. In-form Alex Carey's performances have been particularly noteworthy, his ability to accelerate scoring with the lower middle order has proved to be a crucial asset for Australia's success. At the top of the order, Travis Head poses a significant threat to opposing bowlers. However, Australia would benefit from more substantial contributions from their middle order batters. The all-rounders, notably Aaron Hardie and Cameron Green, have admirably fulfilled their roles, balancing the team. The Aussie bowling unit has also been effective, consistently delivering favourable outcomes. This well-rounded performance across all departments has been key to Australia's dominant position. Also, it remains to be seen whether Travis Head and Adam Zampa are available for the remaining games or not. However, Australia’s bench is stronger with the likes of Jake Fraser-McGurk, Josh Inglis, Cooper Connolly, and Ben Dwarshuis awaiting their chances as well. The 'Home of Cricket' has witnessed 15 encounters between these two in the ODIs so far, with Australia holding a commanding 9-5 lead and one memorable tie from 2005. The last time these two sides clashed at Lord's in ODI cricket was during the high-stakes 2019 World Cup, where the hosts emerged victorious. England's recent record at this venue against their arch-rivals is less than stellar - their last victory here came in 2012 when Alastair Cook and Michael Clarke led their respective sides in a different era of cricket. The venue has historically favoured chasing teams in this matchup, with 8 wins coming in run chases compared to 6 while batting first. Interestingly, Lord's has seen only five 300+ scores in ODIs, with the highest being 334, decades back in the 1975 World Cup. However, the average first-inning score hovers around 230s, suggesting a balanced contest between bat and ball. Also, for a fact, the highest successful run chase here has been 326. With all said and done, can England's resurgence continue, or will Australia reassert their dominance? With pride and series victory on the line, cricket fans can expect fierce competition and high-quality cricket from both sides. Whom are you supporting in this penultimate ODI?