Banton, Atkinson star as England hit back to force series decider
The opener struck a fine 121 before Atkinson broke the back of the 355 chase inside seven overs
England produced a strong response to their heavy defeat in Perth, putting together a dominant batting performance before their bowlers dismantled Australia's top order to clinch second ODI in Adelaide by 135 runs and level the series.
Having been bowled out for 131 in the series opener, England hit back with a commanding 355 for 6, built around Tom Banton's 121 off 99 balls. Joe Root provided the stability with a 62, while Jordan Cox and Will Jacks supplied the late impetus with blistering half-centuries of their own. Australia, in reply, found themselves in deep trouble at 29 for 4, with Gus Atkinson accounting for three of the top four inside the first seven overs. That early collapse meant despite the best efforts from Cameron Green and Matt Renshaw, they fell well short of the target.
Atkinson struck twice in the same over to remove Travis Head and Cooper Connolly, before also dismissing Josh Inglis. The visitors were helped by spectacular catching, particularly from Root in the slips, even though some catches went down after that early period.
Matt Renshaw and Cameron Green attempted to arrest the slide with a 98-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Given the free fall that preceded the stand, this partnership in the backdrop of a growing asking rate was only delaying the inevitable.
Liam Dawson broke the stand by trapping Renshaw LBW for 63, before dismissing Green later, with Jordan Cox completing a stumping. Zampa's strikes effectively ended Australia's hopes of mounting a serious challenge. Dawson finished with two wickets, while Atkinson returned to claim his fourth, dismissing Adam Zampa to finish with excellent figures of 4 for 28. Australia's last-wicket pair of Riley Meredith and Spencer Johnson frustrated the hosts with a 28-run stand before Jofra Archer ended the game by spearing Johnson with a yorker.
Earlier, England's recovery after the Perth debacle had been driven by Banton, who made the most of a good batting surface after Australia opted to field. Ben Duckett fell early for 9, but Banton found an able partner in Root, with the pair adding 137 for the second wicket. Root's composed 62 laid the platform, even as Banton took on the Australian attack and brought up his second ODI century.
England briefly lost their way when Root and Harry Brook departed in quick succession, leaving them at 175 for 3. Brook, who had endured a difficult outing in Perth, managed just 5 before being bowled by Riley Meredith. Banton, however, kept the innings moving and continued to find boundaries, particularly through the leg side.
His dismissal for 121, caught by Cameron Green off Xavier Bartlett, came with England at 212 for 4, but Cox ensured there was no let-up. He accelerated towards the end of the innings, striking 67 off 49 balls, and added 102 with Jacks for the fifth wicket. Jacks remained unbeaten on 54 off 40 deliveries, while late contributions from Sam Curran and Atkinson helped England breach the 350-mark.
Bartlett was Australia's most successful bowler with 3 for 72, but England's total proved a formidable challenge. Atkinson's early strikes then ensured that Australia were never able to establish themselves in the chase, setting up a series decider.
Brief scores: England 355/6 in 50 overs (Tom Banton 121, Jordan Cox 67, Joe Root 62; Xavier Bartlett 3-72) beat Australia 220 in 44.3 overs (Cameron Green 64, Matt Renshaw 63; Gus Atkinson 4-28) by 135 runs
