1st ODI: Sam Billings maiden ton goes in vain as Australia clinch 19 run win

Australia beat England by 19 runs in the 1st ODI | Image: ICC (Twitter)

XtraTime Web Desk: A brilliant maiden hundred from Sam Billings went in vain as World Champions England suffered a 19 run defeat at the hands of Australia in the first of the three match ODI series at Old Trafford on Friday. It was Australia’s third win over their arch rivals in 14 ODIs
Put in to bat Australia posted a decent 294/9 in 50 overs thanks to 126 runs partnership for the sixth wicket between Mitch Marsh (73) and Glenn Maxwell (77). Maxwell was the more dominant of the two as he blazed his way to 77 from only 59 balls which included 4 fours and sixes each.

Sam Billings after his maiden ton | Image: Kent Cricket (Twitter)

Australia at one point was struggling at 123/5. England pacers Mark Wood (3-54) and Jofra Archer (3-57) were the successful bowlers for the hosts.
Chasing 295 runs to win England did not have the greatest of starts losing four wickets for just 57 runs on board. Johny Bairstow (84) and Sam Billings (118) were involved in a 113 run stand to get the run chase on track but that was not good enough. The Surrey batsman’s effort with the bat went in vain as England fell short by 19 runs. Billings knock included 14 hits to the fence and two sixes. None of the England lower order batsmen provided any resistance.

Man-of-the-match Josh Hazlewood (3-26) and Adam Zampa (4-55) were returned with the most successful figures. Both sides will return to the same venue for the 2nd ODI on Sunday.