Twitter Reactions: Brook, Livingstone, Potts squash Australia to set up series finale in Bristol

Australia were the favourites coming into the five-match ODI series. England had an inexperienced squad in the absence of Jos Buttler, Mark Wood, Jonny Bairstow and now-retired Moeen Ali but their youngsters have put up a good show in the last two matches to keep the series on level terms. 

In the fourth ODI, openers Phil Salt and Ben Duckett gave the team a decent start. Duckett went on to score a half-century while Salt once again failed to convert his start, which has become a pattern now. Will Jacks contributed 10 runs while captain Brook once again played a vital knock of 87 runs. He played an aggressive brand of cricket, which he hugely promoted in the ongoing summer, putting the visitors under immense pressure.

After Brook’s show, Livingstone took the centre stage. He smashed 28 runs, including four sixes in Mitchell Starc’s final over, which gave the momentum to England. Livingstone smashed finished on 62* runs off 27 deliveries as England posted 312 runs on the board in the final innings.

Notably, the match was reduced to 39 overs, so England’s total was considered difficult to chase, and eventually, it proved to be so. Australia needed a good start with the bat, and Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head looked in good rhythm, scoring 28 and 34 runs respectively but post that, it was a horror show for them.

Star batter Steve Smith made five, Josh Inglis scored eight and Marnus Labuschagne hit four runs. Soon after that, Glenn Maxwell departed for two runs and Australia were reduced to 96/6. Seven of their players scoring in single digit cost them the match, as the visitors suffered an embarrassing 186-run defeat at Lord’s. Matthews Potts was the star with the ball for England, picking up four wickets while Brydon Carse picked three.

The stage is now set as the fifth and final ODI in Bristol will decide the fate of the series. However, after the series, the Mitchell Marsh-led side has plenty of things to think about. The first of which would be whether to ring David Warner ahead of the Champions Trophy, as their batters have not had a great series so far. 

Here's how X reacted to ENG vs AUS 4th ODI: