England notch second win

Brisbane, January 19 

England’s top-order fired in unison to negate Aaron Finch’s second straight hundred for the hosts and hand the visitors a four-wicket win in the second ODI against here today. Chasing 271 for victory in Brisbane, England reached the target comfortably with 34 balls to spare.

Finch had scored 107 in Australia’s five-wicket loss in the first match and continued his fine form with 106 today to help his side post 270/9.

Yet the target was not steep enough for Eoin Morgan’s side which looked comfortable despite losing last-match centurion Jason Roy to fast bowler Mitchell Starc for two in the first over. Roy’s opening partner Jonny Bairstow hit 60 and added 117 for the second wicket with Alex Hales, who made 57, to put England firmly on course for victory.  Brief scores: Australia: 270/9 (Finch 106; Root 2/31); England: 274/6 (Bairstow 60, Hales 57; Starc 4/57). — Reuters