Australia's spinners picked an unprecedented nine of the 10 wickets to fall, the most ever by them in an ODI, as England were bowled out for 315 in the series opener at Trent Bridge. Ben Duckett was the top-scorer for the hosts but fell five runs short of a hundred, his dismissal proving an inflection point in an innings of two halves.
Marnus Labuschagne finished with figures of 3 for 39 © AFP
England were going strong at 213/2 in the 33rd over after Harry Brook, named captain for this series, opted to bat. But an inspired bowling change from Mitchell Marsh saw him hand the ball to Marnus Labuschagne, who struck with his fourth delivery to remove Duckett caught-and-bowled. The leggie came in for some punishment in his next over but dented England with the wicket of Brook, who again offered a return catch.
Labuschagne would add the wicket of Jofra Archer later and finish with figures of 6-0-39-3, an innings-turning spell of sorts that cued Marsh into employing more than 30 overs of spin, the third-most Australia have bowled in an ODI. In fact, Australia didn't bowl a single over of pace after the 32nd over, instead turning to the likes of Travis Head (2 for 34) to get the job done on what was a good wicket to bat in Nottingham.
It was a decent start by Duckett and Phil Salt, the duo adding 48 runs before Salt was cramped for room and bowled by debutant Ben Dwarshuis. Duckett and Will Jacks (62) then took control of the proceedings, adding 120 runs for the second wicket. Duckett got to his fifty off 49 balls, a rather modest strike-rate compared to the start he had got, which saw him hammer Sean Abbott for four boundaries in the PowerPlay. Abbott, who returned figures of 5-0-50-0, would later come in for some punishment at the hands of Jacks, who got to his fifty off 45 balls.
It was Adam Zampa, with expensive figures hitherto, who would return for a second spell and account for Jacks's wicket. Brook, who walked in, then forged a stand of 45 runs for the third wicket before Marsh would turn to Labuschagne and spin and change the face of the innings.
England's second half of the innings left much to be desired and they would lose 8 wickets for 102 runs. Jacob Bethell smashed 35 off 34 to take the hosts past 300 and give them a chance in this first of the three ODIs.
Brief Scores: England 315 in 49.4 overs (Duckett 95, Jacks 62; Labuschagne 3-39, Zampa 3-49) vs Australia
