SM
Barcelona vs. Brann: 4 hrs 44 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Eoin Morgan hails Sam Billings after maiden century in Australia defeat

:Headline: Eoin Morgan hails Sam Billings after maiden century in Australia defeat: ID:413971: from db_amp
Sam Billings' ton proved in vain as Australia took a 1-0 lead in the series.

Captain Eoin Morgan praised Sam Billings’ perseverance after his maiden international century offered England hope in an otherwise disappointing 19-run defeat against Australia.

Morgan has become used to success in the fixture, with England winning 11 of their previous 13 50-over matches against their rivals.

Australia bucked that trend with a powerful performance in the Royal London Series opener at Emirates Old Trafford, restricting the hosts to 275 for nine after setting a target of 295.

That was much closer than anyone expected after Josh Hazlewood’s magnificent opening blast helped reduce England to 57 for four in the 17th over of the chase, with Billings largely responsible for bringing the fight.

He put on 113 with Jonny Bairstow (84) and continued leading the charge amid considerable adversity, eventually out to the final ball of the match for 118 from 110 balls.

Billings was the only member of the England XI not to be part of last year’s World Cup-winning squad – he might have been called on had it not been for a shoulder injury – but 19 appearances in five years is evidence of the struggle he has had to force his way in.

At 29 this was the kind of knock that could re-energise his career and it did not go under-appreciated by his skipper.

“Sam played brilliantly. Really, really well,” said Morgan.

Sam Billings was hit on the helmet (Shaun Botterill/PA)

“His opportunities over the last four years have been extremely limited and sporadic at times because the position he bats (number six) is one that myself, Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler have played a lot of games in during that period.

“But today he really stood out in a spot that is really difficult to bat, where you can be thrown in at all different circumstances. I thought he and Jonny did well to keep us in the game for so long and in with a genuine chance.”

Had England got over the line it would have been a record second-innings score in Manchester but Morgan’s side have taken down plenty of historical watermarks together and he was unflustered by this one.

The difference was a near-flawless display of seam bowling first up from Australia, who restricted a free-hitting top order to a skeletal 22 for two in the powerplay.

The 29-year-old from New South Wales has enjoyed getting the better of his tussle with England’s strokemakers but admitted the finish was tighter than anticipated.

“England’s top order is probably the form top order in the world in the last three or four years, so I guess going against them is a good measure of where you’re at,” Hazlewood said.

“It was good fun to bowl up front and test myself and to keep them down to 20-odd for two in the first 10 was great.

“They always bat deep so I expected them to come back into it, but probably not take it as close as they did in the end.”

amp_article__413971 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-09-11 22:20:04:
html db last update - 2021-03-11 07:54:58 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Eoin Morgan

Click here for more stories about England

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .