England are level to set up Manchester decider

Eoin Morgan leads the way as hosts successfully chase down 300 at Headingley

If it was a decider you wanted, it’s a decider you’re going to get.

England rectified the mistakes of Southampton and Lord’s by successfully chasing down 300 in relative comfort at Headingley to ensure Sunday’s clash in Manchester is now the equivalent of a cup final.

Overall, it was a good performance from England who bowled well up front, dragged things back when they threatened to get away from them and then paced their chase to perfection.

As is nearly always the case, there were a couple of less than desirable facets to the victory; Alex Hales, worryingly beaten for pace again, continued his underwhelming series and the death bowling was treated with disdain by the tourist’s lower order.

But let’s not get too worried about these as the aim is to walk off to collect a winning bonus and that’s exactly what Eoin Morgan and his charges did.

Having been asked to bowl first, the recalled David Willey quickly reinforced the theory that a left-armer is a necessity by getting rid of Joe Burns, Steve Smith and Aaron Finch in the opening nine overs.

With Mark Wood sharing the new ball – Steven Finn was rested and Chris Woakes injured – the Australians’ start was a touch ponderous.

That changed when Glenn Maxwell found his range and along with George Bailey the duo kept the score rattling long at better than a run a ball before the former, who can be relied on to have a brain fade most days, tried one reverse sweep too many.

Three wickets fell in 10 balls as the innings faltered but whereas 250 appeared to be the limit of Antipodean ambitions, Matthew Wade and John Hastings gave this short shrift with a brutal partnership of 84 in less than nine overs.

Wade especially had a whale of time as he peppered the leg-side boundary with Wood taking the brunt of the punishment.

The previous three games suggested 300 would provide a tricky chase and Hales’ early departure to the excellent Pat Cummins, hardly helped matters.

But Jason Roy, growing into the role of international opener, and James Taylor, more impressive with every outing, stabilised things whilst scoring freely and they set the stage for Morgan who looks a million dollars at the moment.

The captain, alongside Ben Stokes who made his first meaningful contribution, made his way effortlessly to within eight of three figures before being expertly caught at point by a diving Maxwell.

When he left the equation read 62 runs from as many balls and although Jonny Bairstow and Laim Plunkett fell, the latter to a stupendous catch on the boundary by Maxwell, is only delayed the charge.

And just as he had got the day off to a good start, Willey rounded things off by hoisting Hastings over the rope.

So 2-2 as the series heads west for an Old Trafford showdown. It’s been quite a summer and there’s just that little bit more to come.