Jos Buttler will be looking for a positive result at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday after their first game since the T20 World Cup final ended in defeat.
Australia claimed a six-wicket victory in Adelaide, and they will wrap up a series victory if they can get the better of England in the second one-day international.
Pat Cummins could not have wished for a better start to his tenure as Australia’s ODI captain after he led his side to a relatively comfortable victory in the first match of the series.
Cummins won the toss and elected to bowl first in what proved to be a smart decision as Australia restricted England to 287-9 following three wickets apiece for the Australian skipper and Adam X
David Warner and Travis Head racked up 86 and 69 respectively to get the run chase off to an ideal start, before Steven Smith steered the innings home with an 80 not out, ensuring that Australia head to Sydney with a 1-0 lead.
The hosts will be looking forward to Saturday’s game after winning their previous four ODI matches at the SCG, although England were the last team to beat Australia in 50-over match at the venue.
The tourists were brought back down to earth in the first ODI after winning the T20 World Cup in Sunday’s final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Only three players that featured in the final – captain Jos Buttler, Phil Salt and Chris Jordan – played at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday, but many of those that were brought into the side failed to perform.
While the likes of James Vince, Jason Roy and Sam Billings offered very little with the bat, Malan scored 134 from 128 balls to help England set a competitive total.
Ultimately, England were unable to stop Australia from reaching the target with 19 balls to spare, ensuring that Buttler has begun all three of his series as ODI captain with a defeat.
As he looks to secure his first series victory as England’s ODI skipper, Buttler will be keen for his side to draw level in Sydney and set up a series decider.
