With the series already decided in England’s favour, the last T20I was to decide who would reside at the top of team rankings. England rested Buttler and Morgan- nursing a finger injury. This gave opportunity to Moeen Ali to lead his country for the first time. Since it was the same pitch as the first two T20Is, it was a bit on slower side. It was difficult to play shots through the line. The English innings never got the flow it needed and riding on Bairstow’s half century put on a target of 146 for Australia. Australia got to a flying start before a familiar collapse made things tough for them. But Marsh and Agar played sensibly to chase down the total with ease.

England bats first

Finch again won the toss and elected to bowl first expecting the ball to skid under lights. Australian bowlers bowled a tight length in the powerplay and didn’t let the batsmen get away with anything. Hazlewood, playing his first T20I in 4 and half years, provided the first breakthrough. Tom Banton tried to hoick him through the line but a little movement away took his edge to the keeper. England could manage only 33 in the powerplay. Bairstow struggled to time the ball early in his innings. But he didn’t throw his wicket and persisted with his efforts. Few big shots later he got to his fifty off 42 balls adorned with three 4s and three 6s as well. Trying to pull an Agar delivery that was not short enough, he got the top edge and Agar ran to midwicket to complete a good catch.

Zampa struck in the middle overs with two crucial wickets of Malan and Billings. The debutant captain Ali batted well for his 21-ball 23 that included two 4s and a 6. A brilliant catch by Smith inches away from the boundary line ended Ali’s innings.Denly’s cameo of 29(19) towards the provided England something to fight for as they managed 145/6.

Australian run chase

Australia got off to a flier as Archer’s first over went for 16 runs. It included a six over square leg, flicked off length by Wade. Wade, however, mistimed a pull off Wood to be caught at midwicket after scoring 14. Stoinis and Finch put on a ncie partnership thereafter to take the innings forward. Australia scored almost double of what England has scored in the powerplay- 61/1. Tom Curran broke the 39-run stand by getting Stoinis caught at deep square leg by a superb effort from Banton.

Adil Rashid then broke Australia’s back with 3 quick wickets of Maxwell, Finch and Smith. Australia were reeling at 100/5 and it seemed the script of first T20I would repeat and Australia would choke at the doorstep of victory. But Mitchell Marsh(39) and  Agar(16) didn’t take any useless risks as the required rate was just over run-a-ball. Their unbroken partnership of 46 runs took Australia home with ease and provided the visitors their first win on the tour.

Mitchell Marsh was adjudged Man of the Match while Jos Buttler was awarded with Man of the Series for his brilliant batting in the first two T20Is.