CARDIFF // Eoin Morgan, the England captain, took a lot of positives from a tense three-wicket win over Australia at Cardiff on Saturday, which squared the series at 1-1 with one match to go.
After restricting the tourists to 227 all out, England were in all sorts of trouble when Clint Mckay took a hat-trick with the wickets of established batsmen Kevin Pietersen, Jonathan Trott and Joe Root.
However, Michael Carberry, under pressure after a poor showing with the bat in this series, steadily rebuilt the innings alongside Morgan, with the pair both registering half-centuries.
Jos Buttler then came to the fore with a sparkling 65 not out from 48 balls to give England a narrow win ahead of the decider at Hampshire’s Ageas Bowl on Monday.
Morgan said: “There was some hard-fought cricket, particularly with the bat on our behalf. To be three down for none early on, we had our backs to the wall so me and Carbs dug in and got as much as we could.
“We knew it was going to do enough early on but to be involved in the hat-trick and find myself at the crease after a few overs, I didn’t really expect that.
“A lot of positives from today. Michael Carberry got out there and got some time in the middle and scoring some runs is great and Jos Buttler, in particular, had a world-class innings at the end.”
Buttler was supported by a fine cameo from Ben Stokes, another man who has underwhelmed on his return to the England set-up.
This time the all-rounder took one for 42 from nine overs and followed that up with an invaluable knock of 25 to support Buttler, earning praise from Morgan.
“He’s taken a huge amount of responsibility on his shoulders for such a young guy and he’s come up trumps and he’s certainly been one of our finds for the series,” said the Irishman on Sky Sports.
Buttler showed his potential with a knock of 75 in the second one-day international at Old Trafford in a losing cause and he believes that innings gave him some confidence.
“It’s great to be not out at the end and win. I think the knock at Old Trafford gave me a lot of confidence and to get over the line and win the game for England is brilliant,” he said.
“I think that’s my role and that’s what I’ve tried to do for Somerset through my career and then hopefully transfer it into the international game.”
Michael Clarke, the Australia captain, paid tribute to England for restricting the tourists to a low score although he was happy with how his side recovered after they had slumped to 57 for four.
“England deserve a lot of credit. They bowled really well this morning where the wicket did a little bit. We managed to be four for 60 at one stage but a pretty good comeback,” he said.
“I thought George Bailey (87 from 91 balls) was outstanding and Adam Voges (30) played really well and then credit to the way England batted at the end there.
“I would have liked a few more [but] I think we did really well after being four for 60 to recover and get that score.”
On Mckay’s performance, Clarke said: “He bowled really well and has done throughout this series. He deserves the credit, but unfortunately we couldn’t get over the line.”
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