Australia suffered a record 135-run one-day international defeat by England at Adelaide Oval, leaving the three-match series level at 1-1 ahead of Wednesday’s decider in Hobart.
England posted 355 for six after being sent in, their highest ODI total in Australia, before dismissing the hosts for 220 in 44.3 overs.
Tom Banton led England’s imposing innings with 121 from 99 balls, reaching his second ODI century from 86 deliveries. He shared a second-wicket partnership of 137 with Joe Root, who made 62 from 68 balls, as England reached 156 for one in the 28th over.
Jordan Cox then added 67 from 49 balls, while Will Jacks struck an unbeaten 54 from 40. Their partnership of 102 came in fewer than 12 overs and drove England towards a commanding total.
Australia’s reply unravelled immediately. Travis Head was caught for seven, Cooper Connolly fell for a duck and captain Mitchell Marsh made two, with all three dismissed at slip during a six-ball spell.
The collapse left Australia three wickets down for 13 runs after 3.2 overs, and the score deteriorated to 29 for four. England missed chances offered by Matthew Renshaw on 27 and Cameron Green on seven, allowing the pair to add 98 runs.
Renshaw eventually made 63 from 74 balls, while Green was Australia’s top scorer with 64 from 82. Their resistance delayed the result but could not repair the damage caused by England’s new-ball attack.
Gus Atkinson claimed four for 28 from his 10 overs, including three wickets for 22 runs in his opening seven, recording his best ODI figures. Sam Curran took two for 38 and Liam Dawson two for 41.
Xavier Bartlett was the only Australian bowler to take more than one wicket, finishing with three for 72. Riley Meredith, brought in for Mahli Beardman after Beardman’s six for 24 on debut in Perth, conceded 75 runs for one wicket from 10 overs.
Spencer Johnson went for 61 from eight overs and Jack Edwards conceded 73 from nine, with both also giving up more than seven runs an over. The match was watched by 31,412 spectators, the fifth-highest ODI attendance at Adelaide Oval.
