Potts bowls England to big win over Australia after Livingstone onslaught

An international summer that has tipped into the cold chill of autumn is all set up for a decider this Sunday after England surged to an electric 186-run victory over Australia at Lord’s. Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone went positively gangbusters with the bat, Jofra Archer and his fellow quicks much the same with ball in hand.

It felt more like a Six Nations contest at Twickenham than a one-day international once rain made way for a shortened game, scarves and bobble hats in vogue for spectators and pints wobbling in shivering hands. But England burned white hot out in the middle, ransacking 312 for five from 39 overs – Livingstone taking Mitchell Starc for 28 off the final six balls – before the tourists were rolled for 126 all out.

Livingstone was in a devastating mood at the end of an innings already propelled by Brook and a 58-ball 87 that rolled over his form from Chester-le-street. The all-rounder pummelled Starc for four sixes and a four in the final over, with his unbeaten 67 from 27 balls stoking up the crowd. The role of Ben Duckett – 63 from opener after overcoming some tricky early movement – should not be forgotten either.

But perhaps the most heartening sight was that of Archer playing his first match at Lord’s since that breathtaking Ashes debut five years ago and unleashing in the reply for figures of two for 33. As well as lighting up Mitch Marsh’s bails with a beauty that angled in and nipped up the slope, he left Marnus Labsuchagne’s arm shaking with a nasty delivery that could easily have been bone breaking.

Liam Livingstone hit 62 off 27 balls, including 28 off the final over, as England scored 312 for five in 39 overs. Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Although the Durham pair of Brydon Carse and Matthew Potts would probably like a word, given they shared seven wickets. It was Carse who snuffed out Travis Head’s incendiary start to the run chase –the left-hander finally missing one on 34 – en route to figures three for 36, while Potts claimed three in four balls – four for 38 overall – as Australia’s hopes turned from unlikely to impossible.

There was even a nod to last year’s Ashes furore when Australia’s wicketkeeper found himself the subject of boos. It was Josh Inglis, not Alex Carey, who drew the ire of the crowd this time, even if it felt a little harsh. Inglis had claimed a catch down leg off Brook in the first innings, unknowing of the fact it had bounced millimetres in front of the gloves. Either way, it was a footnote in a one-sided contest, with the series now heading to Bristol locked at two-all. Here is hoping the rain stays away.

Full report to follow …