ENG vs AUS Ball by Ball Commentary

DONE AND DUSTED! ENGLAND WIN BY 3 WICKETS! This is now the highest successful run chase at the Sophia Gardens by any team. Adil Rashid finishes the job for the home side to level the series by 1-1 and England maintain their impressive winning record at Cardiff in the T20Is. Matthew Short fires it, full and outside off, Adil Rashid opens the bat's face and slices it through the point region for an easy single. Overall, it has been a fantastic game of cricket with both sides having their moments.

OUT! IN THE AIR...AND TAKEN! 5-FER FOR SHORT! He has bowled brilliantly in this match and it's a well-deserved one! Matthew Short slows it up, full and around leg stump line, Brydon Carse dances down the track to take the aerial route but is months early in the shot as he gets beaten by the lack of pace. Goes through the shot and gets the connection on the higher part of the willow and the ball travels into the air over the mid-wicket region. Tim David from mid on calls for his catch, runs to his right and takes a good running catch. Matthew Short is on a Hat-Trick now.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! A consolation wicket for Australia as Liam Livingstone departs after playing a match-winning knock of 87! A remarkable 50th T20I for Livingstone though! Matthew Short stays around the pegs and darts in a pinpoint yorker on the stumps, Liam Livingstone again charges down to drill it down the ground but misses to connect and the ball goes to shatter the stumps in a blink. Short gets his 4th wicket.

FOUR! SCORES LEVEL! Too full and on middle, Liam Livingstone uses his feet, gets his bat underneath the ball, finds the middle of the bat and drills it down the ground for a boundary.

WIDE! Pitched down leg, Liam Livingstone goes for a pull shot but misses. Wided.

SIX! STAND AND DELIVER! Liam Livingstone moves into his 80s with that mammoth strike into the crowd! Under double figures is what England need to win now, just a hit away! Matthew Short misses his length and serves a friendly half-volley on the stumps line, Liam Livingstone picks the bones out of it, charges down and spanks it high and handsome, several rows behind long on for a six.

Full and on middle and leg, Overton drills it down to long off for a single.

Absolutely electric, is Livingstone between the wickets! Full from Abbott outside off, Livingstone slogs it wide of long on and David does well to make a tumbling stop in the deep. Returns a flat throw at the striker's end and Livingstone dives to get home. Two taken. England need 13 off the last 12 deliveries.

Pace off, on the fullish length, Jamie Overton chips it towards the left of Abbott for a single.

Banged in short by Abbott and Livingstone pulls it along the ground to deep mid-wicket for a single.

In the air...Dropped! Sean Abbott lands it full and on the stumps, Liam Livingstone wrists his flick aerially but gets no real timing on it. The ball travels in the night sky towards deep mid-wicket where Matthew Short runs to his right, bends low to take the catch but fails to hold onto the ball in his hands and it pops out. The batters cross for a double.

Good bowling! Attacks the middle stump by using the width and bowling it wider of the crease. Pitched full and on middle, Jamie Overton closes the bat face early, ends up getting a leading edge to the off side for a single.

Short in length, over the pegs, Livingstone pulls it to deep mid-wicket for just a single.

Flighted delivery on the stumps, Livingstone knocks it down the ground to long on for a run.

Short and turning in on leg from over the wicket, Overton works it through backward square leg for a single.

OUT! TAKEN! Matthew Short with a double whammy and this is turning out to be a really clever bowling change from Australia! Matthew Short picks up his third wicket and half of the English side is back into the sheds now. Short lands it full and fires it in around off, Sam Curran gets his dancing shoes on and skips down the track to attack aerially. But ends up losing his shape as he tries to hit it too hard. Ends up slicing it over the cover-point region where Cooper Connolly settles underneath, moves backward it and takes a good reverse cup catch. He tumbles with the momentum but sustains the ball in his hands. It was an unnecessary shot from Curran given England are in a comfortable position.

Pushed full and on leg, Liam Livingstone flicks it along the ground to wide long on for a single.

Tossed up on the stumps, Curran pushes it to long on and opens his account with a single.

OUT! KNOCKED HIM OVER! The gamble to bring in Matthew Short has worked for Australia and the 90-run stand between Bethell and Livingstone comes to an end. Matthew Short bowls it from around the wickets, and darts in a flatter and a fuller length ball, on the off stump line, Jacob Bethell premeditates the shot, sits down, switches his stance to reverse sweep it away but it is too full to execute that shot and Bethell gets beaten all ends up as the ball clips the outside of off stump. Jacob Bethell departs on an impressive 44 from 24 balls.

'Catch' is the call from Inglis, but it lands well ahead of long off. Too slow and well outside off on a fullish length, Jacob Bethell tilts forward with a long stride and is a bit early in the shot. Slices it over mid off as the ball dribbles on a couple of bounces to long off for a single.

Tossed up, full and around off, Liam Livingstone strides ahead and drives it with straight bat face down to long off for a single.

Flat and quick, driven hard but straight to Cooper Connolly at extra cover.

Excellent running! Tossed and pushed through, full and outside off, Liam Livingstone charges down to the pitch and plays it to the covers with a horizontal bat, leaning onto the ball. Finds Cooper Connolly at extra cover who parries the ball to the mid off region and the batters take the advantage to convert a single into a double.

Quicker one at 97 kph, drifting and sliding down the leg stump on a fullish length, Liam Livingstone tickles it fine towards deep fine with soft hands and along the ground for a couple of runs.

Full and flat on the middle, Liam Livingstone chops it on to the off side as it stays a bit low on the bounce.

Fuller and on off, Jacob Bethell drives it straight to mid off. England needs 31 runs in the last 5 overs!

SIX! Man out there but he will just watch it sail it over his head! Sean Abbott bangs this short and angling into the leg side, Jacob Bethell just helps it on its way as the ball flies over the fine leg fence for a biggie.

Good length and on off, Liam Livingstone gets a bit squared up and steers it through point for another run.

Short of a length and on middle, Liam Livingstone pulls it away wide of deep mid-wicket, Cooper Connolly fumbles a bit and allows the second run.

Hard length and on middle, Jacob Bethell backs away and punches it through covers for a single.

Back of a length and on middle, Liam Livingstone pats it down through mid on for a single.

Quicker, shortish and on off, Jacob Bethell keeps it out to the off side. 20 runs off the over then. England needs 42 runs in 36 balls now!

The crowd is right behind the youngster now! Shorter in length, outside off, Jacob Bethell slices it wide of deep point for a brace.

FOUR! Good effort in the deep but in vain! Short again and on middle, Jacob Bethell moves back and heaves it away wide of deep mid-wicket, Cameron Green runs to his right and dives to push it back inside, but his body touches the ropes while he does that. The TV Umpire is having a look but Cameron Green is very certain that he has saved it. The replays show that his right leg is indeed in contact with the boundary cushions there and it has been called a boundary. 150 up for England with that.

FOUR! Short and punished! Adam Zampa drags his length back and outside off, Jacob Bethell rocks back and crunches it away through extra covers for another boundary.

SIX! Oh..wow! You don't see many batters take on Adam Zampa like this! Flighted, full and on middle, Jacob Bethell skips down the track again, gets to the pitch of the ball and with a full swing of the bat and dispatches it high and handsomely over the long on fence for a biggie.

FOUR! The youngster joining the party slowly now! Floated, full and around off, Jacob Bethell uses his feet, reaches out for it and drags it away between long on and deep mid-wcket for a boundary.

Short again, on middle, but slower as well, Liam Livingstone goes through his pull shot early and misses. 18 runs off the over! And England are running ahead as Australia were 119/3 at this phase.

Short again and on middle, Jacob Bethell pulls it through mid-wicket for one.

Back of a length and on middle, Liam Livingstone heaves it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! A boundary now! Pressure on Marcus Stoinis! Short of a length and around middle, Liam Livingstone pulls it away, picks the gap perfectly towards the deep square leg fence for four more runs. That brings up the 50-run partnership between these two batters.

SIX! FIFTY FOR LIVINGSTONE! He gets to it in some style as well. A fantastic half-century in his 50th T20I. Full again and around middle, Liam Livingstone uses his string wrists and whips it over the deep square leg fence for another biggie.

SIX! Sounds good, and goes well over! Marcus Stoinis serves this right in the slot, on middle, angling in as well, Liam Livingstone stays deep in his crease and throws the kitchen sink at it to whack it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Quicker, full and on middle, Jacob Bethell drives it down the pitch, Cooper Connolly dives to his left to make a good stop. England need 80 more runs to win in 48 balls remaining.

Darted in, full and on off, Jacob Bethell drills it straight to cover.

WIDE! Fired full, but down leg, Bethell sits down to sweep but misses. Wide is called.

SIX! Jacob Bethell goes big this time now! Tossed up, full and just around off, Jacob Bethell sits down on one knee, and nails his slog sweep over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Darts in a yorker, outside off, Jacob Bethell digs it out towards extra covers.

Gets away with this here! The ball slips and Cooper Connolly ends up bowling a full toss, on leg, Liam Livingstone tries to heave it away but tries to hit it too hard, mistimes it towards deep mid-wicket for a run.

Floated, full and on off, Jacob Bethell uses his feet and drills it down to long off for a single.

OUCH! Back of a length and on middle, does not bounce that much, Liam Livingstone looks to pull but misses and gets hit right on the box, he goes screaming 'Oooohhh'. That will hurt and sting!

SIX! Gets it over the ropes this time! Cameron Green bowls this on a hard length and around middle, with no fine leg in place, Liam Livingstone moves across a bit again, connects with his scoop well as the ball sails over the fine leg fence for six runs.

Short of a length and outside off, Liam Livingstone punches it away wide of sweeper covers for a brace.

Good length and angling down the leg side, Liam Livingstone moves across to scoop it again, but misses. It is called a wide.

FOUR! Extraordinary shot! Cameron Green serves this full and on middle, Liam Livingstone goes down across, changes his grip a bit and scoops it away while falling over, he gets more than enough for it to go to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Back of a length and on off, Jacob Bethell pats it in front of covers for a quick run.

On a length and on middle, Liam Livingstone nudges it through square leg for a single.

EDGED AND FOUR! A little bit of luck for Bethell and Zampa is not happy with this! Zampa bowls a quicker one, full and flat around off, Jacob Bethell skips down the track to push it to the off side but gets hurried and loses his shape, plays inside the line of the ball and ends up outside edging it through the short third region for a boundary. Halfway into the chase now, and England are 90/3 after 10 overs.

Sees the batter charging down, Zampa slows it up and pulls his length a bit, keeps it on the leg stump line, Jacob Bethell waits for it and adjusts to push it to the leg side with soft hands.

Quite full around off, Jacob leans on the ball and pushes it back to Zampa.

Smashed but only a single! Dropped short and on middle and leg, Liam Livingstone gets a good bounce and tries to pounce on it, pulls it flat and straight to deep mid-wicket for a single.

A slider, on off and on a good length, Jacob Bethell punches it off the back foot, down to long on for a single.

Looped up, and away from the batter's arc, well outside off, Liam Livingstone makes room but has to reach out to it as he expands his long levers but can only pat it towards the off side for a single.

Drifts it on the pads, on a length, Liam Livingstone tickles it to the fine leg region for a single to retain his strike.

Dragged length, on the middle, Jacob Bethell rocks back and tucks it to the left of the bowler for a single to wide long on.

Too full, on the stumps, this is flicked away to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Flighted delivery at the stumps, Bethell rocks back and knocks it down to long on for a single to get off the mark.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! Matthew Short makes an immediate impact and dismisses the English skipper! Matthew Short drops a flatter one, around the middle and off stump channel, Phil Salt looks to access the area down the ground and attempts to take the aerial route. He though fails to get his bat properly underneath the ball and mistimes it into the air. The ball spoons over the long off region where Sean Abbott takes a comfortable catch. Phil Salt departs on 39 off 23 deliveries and England are in a bit of a pickle at 79/3.

Short and on the middle, Liam Livingstone weighs on the back foot and pulls it along the grass to deep mid-wicket for a single.

A brilliant start for Zampa! Floats it up, full and drifts it on the leg stump line, Liam Livingstone drills it down to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Flighted one, on the stumps, this is clipped to deep mid-wicket for a single by Salt.

At 93 kph, full and around off, Salt taps his front leg ahead and drives through covers for a couple of easy runs.

Fuller delivery angling into the pads, Salt looks to knock it down the ground, gets beaten on the inside edge onto his back pad.

Flat, quick and on the stumps, on a length, Phil Salt negotiates well and punches it solidly to the cover region. A bit of yes and no between the wickets as the throw is wayward toward the square leg.

Zampa begins with a fuller one, on the stumps, Phil Salt gets forward and pushes it firmly back to the bowler.

Short of a good length, over the pegs, Salt pulls it toward deep mid-wicket for an easy single to retain the strike.

Back of a length and around off, with pace off, Livingstone plays it late, taps it to the left of backward point for a quick single.

Full toss from Green, attacking the stumps, Salt chips it down to the long on region for a single.

FOUR! Nice shot that! Short in length, angling on the leg stump line, Phil Salt whips it across with his wrists and gets it through deep backward square leg for a boundary.

Short of a length and outside off, Liam Livingstone cuts it hard but straight towards point, the fielder lets it through and allows a run.

Back of a length and around middle and leg, Salt tucks it to the right of mid-wicket for a quick single.

FOUR! Superb shot that! Banged it short from Abbott into the wicket, with pace off, Livingstone waits for it, pulls it hard in front of square along the ground between the gap of square leg and mid-wicket for a boundary to end the Powerplay. England are just a couple of runs behind Australia at the end of field restrictions, but they have lost one extra wicket.

FOUR! Races away and evades JFM! Length ball from Abbott around middle and leg, Livingstone stays in his crease, heaves it away on the leg side towards deep square leg, but doesn't connect it properly though, the ball rolls to the left of Jake Fraser-McGurk this time who stretches his left hand but fails to stop the boundary.

Oh, what happened there? But, excellent running between the wickets! Slower and shorter on off, Phil Salt drags it towards deep square leg and calls for a couple straightaway. Jake Fraser-McGurk in the deep runs fumbles and allows them to take an extra run. Three taken.

Hard-length delivery around off, Livingstone gets behind the line of the ball, taps it in front of cover and steals a quick single.

FOUR! A long chase for Inglis but it gets through! Sean Abbott bowls it wide as Livingstone charges down the track, on a length, well outside off, Liam Livingstone looks to drag it to the leg side but inside edges it over the pegs. The ball rolls towards the deep fine region as Josh Inglis gives it a long chase. But, the ball has enough wheels on it to win the race eventually.

Pace off on the off stump line, Phil Salt waits for it to arrive at him and dabs it with soft hands to the off side for a quick single.

Clever bowling! Marcus Stoinis takes pace off, lands this short of a length and on middle, Liam Livingstone once again uses his feet to pull it away but misses it completely due to the lack of pace.

Pitched up and on off, Liam Livingstone drills it towards mid off.

SIX! Wow..this goes way into the stands! Marcus Stoinis serves this a bit fuller, on middle, Liam Livingstone dances down the track, takes no half-measures and absolutely belts it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Good length and on middle, Liam Livingstone flicks it away with sweet timing wide of deep square leg for a brace. Gets off the mark!

Short of a length and on middle, Phil Salt pulls it towards deep mid-wickrt for a single.

FOUR! Gets it through! Marcus Stoinis bowls this on a good length and just around off, Phil Salt opens the bat face slightly and plays it late as well to steer it between point and short third for a boundary.

A slight appeal for LBW, but turned down! On a length and around middle, shaping in sharply, Liam Livingstone looks to work it away but misses and gets hit on the knee roll. Travis Head looks very interested and takes the review here. UltraEdge confirms no bat involved and Ball Tracking shows that it is missing the wickets and sliding down the leg stump. Australia wastes a review here!

Absolute peach of a delivery! Starts from the off stump line and curves away from the batter, towards the fifth stump line, Liam Livingstone gets squared up and hangs his bat away from his body, gets beaten on the outside edge by a whisker.

WIDE! He will have to reload that one again! Abbott bangs it into the surface, but short and down the leg side, wide signaled by the umpire

Oh..beauty again! Hard length and on off, jags back in sharply again, Liam Livingstone just like Cox gets cut in half as the ball goes past the inside edge to the keeper.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Sean Abbott with the double whammy! Great setup with the slower one, but goes with pace on this time, hard length and just on off, nips back in sharply, Jordan Cox gets stuck in his crease and gets cut in half as well. Before he can do anything, the ball goes through to rattle the stumps. Cox goes back for a duck! England have now lost two quick wickets in just a span of three deliveries and are now 34/2 in 3.3 overs.

A slip in place now for Abbott. He bowls a good-length delivery around middle stump line, Jordan Cox defends on the front foot back to the bowler.

OUT! TAKEN! Sean Abbott draws first blood straightaway! This is exactly how Will Jacks got out in the first game and falls early again. Fuller in length and on the pads, takes pace off as well, Will Jacks looks to pick it up and scoop it away, but fails to generate the power required, it goes high up in the air towards deep fine where Jake Fraser-McGurk comes forward and pouches it safely. He was the only fielder in the deep on that side and unfortunately, Jacks picked him up. England lose their first! Will Jacks departs on 12 (10) and England are 34/2 in 3.1 overs.

Hard length and on off Will Jacks flicks it away towards deep mid-wicket for a run. 21 runs off the over and England gets on track with the chase.

Pitched up but going down the leg side, Will Jacks misses his flick. Wided.

Slower one, on a length and on leg, Phil Salt nudges it through square leg for a single.

SIX! THREE IN A ROW NOW! Phil Salt at his best! This is a full delivery, on middle, in the slot as well, easy pickings for the English skipper as he launches it over the long on fence for the third biggie of this over. The biggest one as well!

SIX! BOOM! Even bigger and better! Aaron Hardie sees the batter charge and bowls this short again, on middle and leg, Phil Salt is clever here as he fakes the charge forward, but stays in his crease, picks it up off his pads and whips it away nonchalantly over the deep square leg fence again for half a dozen more.

SIX! BANG! Connects this time alright! Short of a length again, but this one sits up nicely for the batter, on middle, Phil Salt gets into a great position early and pulls it away over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.

Swing and a miss! Aaron Hardie bangs his one short and around off, shapes away a bit and dies down a bit as well, Phil Salt heaves across the line but fails to connect.

Another short delivery, on off, Will Jacks punches it straight towards mid off. Good comeback from Cooper Connolly after getting hit on the first ball.

Short again and around off, Will Jacks cuts it away, the fielder at covers dives to his left to make the stop.

Goes a bit short, on middle, Will Jacks tucks it away with soft hands towards the vacant mid-wicket region, Connolly has to field it himself and the batters get another double here.

Arm-ball now, full and angling in sharply, Will Jacks goes inside out and initially looks to loft it over covers, but has to adjust and swipes it away wide of deep mid-wicket for another couple of runs.

Flatter, full and on middle, Will Jacks clips it away wide of deep mid-wicket for a brace.

Darts this one full and on middle, angling down the leg, Will Jacks goes down across to sweep it but misses. Wided.

FOUR! England attacking the youngster immediately! Cooper Connolly begins with a floater, full and on off, Will Jacks backs away a bit, gets underneath the hall and smacks it over mid off for a boundary. First one of this chase!

On a length and around off, Will Jacks guides it through point for a run. Just two runs off the first over then!

Full again, on off, Will Jacks taps it out in front of cover-point.

Uppish but safe! Touch fuller and around off, shaping away, this one sticks to the surface, Phil Salt is early into his push, ends up chipping it aerially as the ball just lands wide of covers. They cross. England are underway!

BEAUTY! Aaron Hardie hits the good length in that channel outside off, gets it to nip and this one takes off as well, Phil Salt gets surprised by it and the ball zips past the outside edge to the keeper.

Fuller one and around middle, Phil Salt drills it hard down the ground but fails to beat mid on.

Little bit of shape! Aaron Hardie starts with a good-length delivery, on off, moves away a bit, Phil Salt stays back and pushes it towards covers.