They were under pressure after the first two losses but Harry Brook’s leadership and batting performance turned things around for them. The partnership with Jacks was crucial in setting up the win. Overall, it was a fantastic performance by England, and Brook’s century will definitely boost his confidence and leadership within the team.
We haven’t seen the best of England in ODI cricket but it is games like this when you’re up against it and it looks like the Australian’s are hitting their straps.
You would’ve said Australia have the advantage coming into this game with five seamers and a couple of spinners but England’s level of skill and delivery has been right on point.
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting gave credit to Brook and also Jacks for the way they played. That top-order partnership between Jacks and Brook was the difference in the game, said Ponting. We heard Brook talk through the series, that once they get those partnerships going, of the importance of stretching them out and making them big ones.
When you say that as a captain, you’ve then got to go and do it yourself. And I was so pleased for him to be able to see his team through some troubled times – they were 11-2. He led the way beautifully. Jacks as well, you’ve got to give him some credit. I loved the way he played, he was aggressive, his stroke-play was outstanding. That was the difference in the game, that partnership. Full credit to England, they bounced back really strongly and now we can go to Lord’s with the series still on the line.
England captain Harry Brook:
It was nice to get the first one [hundred] on the board there. Hopefully there’s plenty more to come. With the bat, me and Jacks just tried to stay out there as long as possible and create that partnership. I definitely thought the pitch got better towards the end of Australia’s innings and it was just a simple message of, ‘let’s go out there and play your own game’.