England stand-in captain Harry Brook has made a rare statement after his team’s heavy defeat in the first ODI match against Australia at home. Harry Brook claimed that the England national cricket team seeks to entertain without worrying about results as part of its strategy.
Australia claimed a seven-wicket win over England in the first ODI at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on Thursday, September 19. The visiting team reached a target of 316 runs in just 44 overs. Opening batsman Travis Head was named Player of the Match for his stunning century.
We’re there to score runs – Harry Brook
Harry Brook has been named captain of England’s ODI squad after Jos Buttler was ruled out of the five-match series against Australia. Buttler is currently recovering from the calf injury he sustained during The Hundred 2024. Buttler also missed the previous T20I series, with Phil Salt leading the team against Australia.
Speaking after the first ODI, Brook said his team is not too worried about getting caught at the boundary as the same shot could result in a six on a different day. He reiterated his commitment to playing an aggressive and entertaining style of cricket.
“We’re there to score runs. If we get caught somewhere on the boundary or in the field, who cares? Any other day we could get to six, so I’m not too worried about it,” Harry Brook told BBC Sport.
“Obviously it was a tough pitch, but we hit them for six on another day. They hit a few in the air and they landed safely, so they were a bit unlucky. We want to entertain, as I’ve said a few times. Obviously we care, but if you’re out trying to score runs, that’s the way we want to play,” he added.
England opted to bat first and wanted to put Australia under “a bit of pressure”. Ben Duckett, who was promoted as an ODI opener, scored an impressive 95 runs off 91 balls with 11 boundaries. England were in a strong position at one stage with 213 runs for the loss of two wickets in the 33rd over.
However, the home side suffered a dramatic collapse during the first match of the series. England lost their last nine wickets to spin bowlers. Part-timers Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne and Matthew Short took six wickets together. England were bowled out for 315 in 49.4 overs on a high-scoring track.
Travis Head scored an unbeaten 154 runs off 129 balls, including 20 fours and five sixes. Head added an unbeaten stand of 148 runs with Marnus Labuschagne, who amassed 77 off 61 balls. Head, who was out for six, seized the opportunity and helped Australia secure their 13th consecutive ODI win.
The second ODI of the five-match series between England and Australia will be played at Headingley in Leeds on Saturday, September 21.
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