England opener Tom Banton has clubbed a century as the visitors set Australia 356 runs to win their second one-day international.
Underpinned by Banton’s 121 from 99 balls, England posted 6-355 after the hosts won the toss at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
Banton, Jordan Cox (67 from 49 balls), Joe Root (62 from 68) and Will Jacks (54 not out from 40) dominated as England seek to level the three-match series after losing the opening fixture in Perth.
Paceman Xavier Bartlett (3-72 from 10 overs) was the only Australian bowler to take multiple wickets.
After Ben Duckett (9) fell in the fifth over, he smacked a Bartlett delivery straight to Cooper Connolly (1-11 from three overs) at point, Banton and Root took control.
The duo produced a 137-run partnership from 136 balls for the second wicket, taking England to a powerful position of 1-156 in the 28th over.
But their union ended when Root, trying to smack a short Connolly delivery to the leg side, got a leading edge and was caught at cover.
England captain Harry Brook (5) lasted only 11 balls. He attempted a leg-side ramp but chopped on to give Riley Meredith (1-75 from 10 overs) a wicket.
Banton, a 28-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman from Somerset, soon reached his second ODI ton from only 86 balls.
He departed in the 35th over when he cracked a pull shot from Bartlett’s bowling to Cameron Green who, diving forward at deep midwicket, completed a fine catch centimetres from the turf.
Cox and Jacks then combined for a 102-run stand in less than 12 overs as England accelerated to its imposing total.
Australia rested paceman Mahli Beardman, two days after his stunning one-day international debut of 6-24 in a seven-wicket win at Optus Stadium. He was replaced by Meredith.
After the ODI series concludes in Hobart on Wednesday, the Australians play five T20 games against England from next Saturday.
Australian quick Nathan Ellis has been ruled out of that series as he continues to recover from a side strain, with Ben Dwarshuis drafted in.
AAP
Source: www.abc.net.au
