In a thrilling second T20I between Australia and England at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, Australian all-rounder Matthew Short achieved a remarkable feat by claiming a historic five-wicket haul. Despite his impressive bowling performance, Australia ended up on the losing side, as England successfully chased down a challenging target of 194 to win the match by three wickets.
A Historic Achievement for Matthew Short
Matthew Short’s bowling display was nothing short of sensational. The off-spinner claimed figures of 5/22 in just three overs, becoming the first player from a full-member team in T20 Internationals to open the batting and take a five-wicket haul in the same match. Short’s achievement places him among elite company, with his spell being the third-best bowling figures for an Australian in men’s T20I history. He trails only Ashton Agar, who took 6/30 against New Zealand in 2021, and Adam Zampa, who claimed 5/19 against Bangladesh in 2021.
Short’s first victim was England captain Philip Salt, who was caught for 39 after a brisk start. Short later broke the crucial 90-run partnership between Liam Livingstone and Jacob Bethell by dismissing Bethell for 44. He continued his destructive spell by dismissing Livingstone, who had played a match-winning knock of 87, as well as Sam Curran and Brydon Carse for low scores. Despite his heroics with the ball, England reached the target with one over to spare, finishing on 194/7 in 19 overs.
Australia’s Strong Start
Earlier in the match, Australia posted a competitive total of 193/6 in their 20 overs. Openers Travis Head and Matthew Short gave the team a flying start, adding 52 runs in just 4.2 overs. Short contributed a quick 28 from 24 balls, while Head played a solid knock of 31. Wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis played a crucial role in the middle order, scoring 42 off 26 balls to help Australia build on their strong foundation. Contributions from Marcus Stoinis (29*) and Glenn Maxwell (27) ensured Australia finished with a formidable total.
However, England’s batting firepower, led by Livingstone, ultimately proved too strong. Livingstone’s 87 came off just 45 balls and included 6 fours and 5 sixes. His partnership with Bethell was pivotal in taking the game away from Australia.
Short’s Record-Breaking Spell
Short’s five-wicket haul is a significant milestone in his career. According to ESPNcricinfo, this was his maiden fifer in professional cricket, making it even more special. In his 11 T20I matches so far, Short has accumulated seven wickets and scored 252 runs at an average of 25.20, with one half-century to his name. His performance in Cardiff showcased his all-round capabilities and added to his growing reputation as a key player for Australia in the T20 format.
Despite Australia’s loss, Short’s spell will be remembered as one of the highlights of the series. His ability to dismiss key players and turn the game in Australia’s favor, albeit temporarily, demonstrates his potential as a match-winner.
England’s Dominance
England’s win was driven by a stellar batting performance from Livingstone, who took the attack to the Australian bowlers. Although England’s top order wobbled slightly, with Salt’s early dismissal, the middle-order partnership between Livingstone and Bethell anchored the innings. Even after the fall of Bethell, Livingstone continued to dominate the Australian bowlers, guiding England to the brink of victory before being trapped by Short.
England’s lower-order batsmen managed to keep their composure despite Short’s late flurry of wickets, and the team completed the chase in 19 overs. The win gave England a crucial lead in the series, with one match left to play.
Matthew Short’s historic five-wicket haul in the second T20I against England will go down as a memorable moment in his career, but it wasn’t enough to secure a win for Australia. England’s superior batting, led by Liam Livingstone, ensured a three-wicket victory and handed them the advantage in the series. As the teams prepare for the third and final T20I, Short’s performance will be a positive takeaway for Australia, even as they look to regroup and aim for a series-levelling win.
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