Tom Banton stars as England thrash Australia in 2nd ODI to draw series level

At Adelaide Oval on November 15, England defeated Australia by 135 runs in the second ODI of the three-match series, drawing level at 1-1. Batting first, England posted 355 for 6, a total that put Australia under immediate pressure, and the hosts were bowled out well short of the target.

Tom Banton was the central figure with the bat, scoring 121 off 99 balls. He reached his hundred off 86 balls, striking ten boundaries and four sixes, many of them through the arc between fine leg and cow corner. A blow to the helmet from a Spencer Johnson bouncer in the sixth over did not slow him down, and he went on to record his sixth fifty-plus score across his last eight innings.

How did England build their total of 355 for 6?

Banton and Joe Root put on a second-wicket stand of 137 runs off 136 balls, with Root contributing 62. That partnership gave England's innings its foundation. Root, playing his 201st ODI, reached his 50th ODI fifty off 50 balls, underlining the quality of the platform the two batters built together.

Ben Duckett struggled for fluency, managing only 9 off 20 balls before being dismissed cutting off-balance. Harry Brook also fell cheaply for 5 off 11 balls, caught at deep cover off Riley Meredith while attempting a ramp from a reversed stance. Jordan Cox then provided late acceleration with 67 off 49 balls, his second ODI half-century, while Will Jacks finished unbeaten on 54 off 40 balls. Xavier Bartlett was Australia's most effective bowler, returning 3 for 72 off his allocation of 10 overs. Sonny Baker was preferred ahead of Jofra Archer for the new ball, while Mahli Beardman, who had taken a six-wicket debut at Optus Stadium in Perth, was rested for this match.

How did England's bowlers dismiss Australia for 220?

Gus Atkinson was the standout performer with the ball, finishing with 4 wickets for 28 runs. He bowled seven consecutive overs through the drinks break, returning figures of 3 for 22 in that opening spell. Australia slipped to 13 for 3 inside four overs. Josh Inglis departed soon after as the hosts were reeling at 29/4 in seven overs.

Matt Renshaw and Cameron Green steadied the innings with a fifth-wicket stand of 98 runs. Renshaw made 63 before being pinned lbw off Liam Dawson while attempting a reverse-sweep. Green reached 64 before being stumped off a deflection from Jordan Cox's shin. Atkinson returned at the death to dismiss Adam Zampa, caught at deep cover, and Jofra Archer closed out the innings with 5.3 overs remaining. Australia's lowest ODI total at Adelaide Oval remains 70 all out, set against New Zealand in 1986.

The series is all square now at 1-1, making the third ODI on Wednesday, November 18, at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart the decider.