Moeen's flick, and Finn's stumble
Plays of the day from the ODI between Australia and England in Sydney
Daniel Brettig & Melinda Farrell
16-Jan-2015
On his return to Australia, Steven Finn disturbed the stumps at the non-striker's end again, this time in different circumstances • Getty Images
The Mitch
It was perhaps a case of same-same but different for England. A tall Australian left-armer called Mitch creating havoc with the new ball. But figures of 4 for 42 were just the latest reason Mitchell Starc deserves to be judged in his own right and not constantly compared to Mitchell Johnson. He carried the aggression shown in the fourth Test against India straight through to this match and swerved the ball in beautifully in his first over to claim the vital scalps of Ian Bell and James Taylor.
It was perhaps a case of same-same but different for England. A tall Australian left-armer called Mitch creating havoc with the new ball. But figures of 4 for 42 were just the latest reason Mitchell Starc deserves to be judged in his own right and not constantly compared to Mitchell Johnson. He carried the aggression shown in the fourth Test against India straight through to this match and swerved the ball in beautifully in his first over to claim the vital scalps of Ian Bell and James Taylor.
The wrist
Eoin Morgan may have driven England to something approaching respectability after their disastrous start to the match, but the shot of the afternoon was played by Moeen Ali amid a breezy 22. Mitchell Starc was still armed with the new ball, but a delivery veering towards middle and leg was picked up quickly by Moeen, and with little more than a flick of his wrists sailed majestically beyond the long-on boundary. There was an air of the opulence about this stroke, suggesting Moeen's promise and contrasting with the poverty of England's early overs.
Eoin Morgan may have driven England to something approaching respectability after their disastrous start to the match, but the shot of the afternoon was played by Moeen Ali amid a breezy 22. Mitchell Starc was still armed with the new ball, but a delivery veering towards middle and leg was picked up quickly by Moeen, and with little more than a flick of his wrists sailed majestically beyond the long-on boundary. There was an air of the opulence about this stroke, suggesting Moeen's promise and contrasting with the poverty of England's early overs.
The stumble
Steven Finn has become synonymous with hitting the stumps on his approach to the wicket, an ailment that became so vexing, it ruined his confidence and rhythm in 2013 and resulted in an early return home from an Ashes tour. On his return to Australia, Finn struck them again, though in somewhat different circumstances. As he entered his delivery stride at the Randwick End, Finn's right ankle twisted and he landed heavily on the turf, his momentum carrying him into the stumps. Shaken by the incident but apparently unhurt, Finn continued to bowl, though a certain former zip still appears to be lacking.
Steven Finn has become synonymous with hitting the stumps on his approach to the wicket, an ailment that became so vexing, it ruined his confidence and rhythm in 2013 and resulted in an early return home from an Ashes tour. On his return to Australia, Finn struck them again, though in somewhat different circumstances. As he entered his delivery stride at the Randwick End, Finn's right ankle twisted and he landed heavily on the turf, his momentum carrying him into the stumps. Shaken by the incident but apparently unhurt, Finn continued to bowl, though a certain former zip still appears to be lacking.
The sprint
Apart from a couple of early haymakers, for the most part David Warner guided Australia's chase with a considered air, knocking off regular boundaries but not pushing his luck too far. But a trio of wickets caused Australia a brief moment's pause - until Brad Haddin marched out to the field with the sort of business-like strut that suggested he would not waste time. What followed was a flurry of target-busting boundaries, raising cheers among a crowd of 26,045 and ensuring that when Warner fell for 127, his exit was cause for only the most perfunctory England celebration.
Apart from a couple of early haymakers, for the most part David Warner guided Australia's chase with a considered air, knocking off regular boundaries but not pushing his luck too far. But a trio of wickets caused Australia a brief moment's pause - until Brad Haddin marched out to the field with the sort of business-like strut that suggested he would not waste time. What followed was a flurry of target-busting boundaries, raising cheers among a crowd of 26,045 and ensuring that when Warner fell for 127, his exit was cause for only the most perfunctory England celebration.
Daniel Brettig is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. @danbrettig