Australia has posted 8-280 from its 50 overs in the second ODI against England as it looks to claim the three-match series in straight sets at the SCG.
In reply, England lost a wicket on the second ball of the innings with Jason Roy strangling a Mitchell Starc delivery down leg-side.
Starc then made it two inside a magical first over with a brilliant outswinger pegging back Dawid Malan’s off-stump.
Alyssa Healy called it a “dream wicket” while Kerry O’Keeffe said it was “almost unplayable”.
He added: “That could well be his finest first over in ODI cricket.”
On top of the two wickets, Starc beat the outside edge of Malan twice and only conceded two runs in the over.
England has recovered through James Vince (5) and Sam Billings (50), reaching 3-143 after 25 overs.
The last wicket to fall was Phil Salt (23 off 16) who was bowled in a wicket-maiden from Josh Hazlewood.
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In the first innings, Steve Smith was again the star for the hosts, making 94 off 114 balls after surprise captain Josh Hazlewood won the toss and batted first.
Smith came within one shot of reaching three figures but was caught on the boundary as he tried to hit Adil Rashid over the ropes in the 44th over.
Smith falls AGONISINGLY short of century | 02:10
Meanwhile, Marcus Stoinis made a run-a-ball 13 late before he was bowled by Chris Woakes. Moments earlier, he was complaining with the umpires about not having a wide called as he tried to pick up the run rate.
“Come on!” he was heard saying while shrugging his shoulders.
Earlier, Hazlewood was brought into the side for captain Pat Cummins, who was rested with an eye to the upcoming Test series against the West Indies.
The pitch initially offered little help for the seamers but it deteriorated as the innings progressed.
The Australian openers looked in no trouble whatsoever until England captain Moeen Ali opted to bowl his off-spinners with immediate results, David Warner sweeping him straight to Liam Dawson at backward square.
Chris Woakes had been expensive early but he began to assert some control, frustrating the Australians with a series of off-cutters that proved hard to score from.
Travis Head was fooled by a change of pace and meekly pulled a Woakes short ball to mid-wicket to fall for 19 and leave Australia 43-2.
Marnus Labuschagne, who made 58, joined Smith at the crease and the two put on 101 before Labuschagne tried to swat Adil Rashid over square-leg only to get a top edge to Jason Roy at mid-off.
Two wickets in two balls for Rashid! | 00:45
Rashid struck next ball, having Alex Carey stumped with some neat glove work by Sam Billings, standing in at keeper for Jos Buttler.
Mitchell Marsh continued to build the innings, with he and Smith adding another 90 runs and looking increasingly comfortable.
But just when Smith looked like getting his 13th ODI century, he tried to smash Rashid over the long-off boundary, only to pick out Phil Salt in the deep.
Marsh holed out in the deep for 50 but some late hitting from Ashton Agar (18 from 12 deliveries) allowed the Australians to reach a competitive total.
Mic’d Up with Aussie keeper Alex Carey | 01:51
TEAMS
Australia: David Warner, Travis Head, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey (wk), Mitch Marsh, Marcus Stoinis, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood (c)
England: Phil Salt, Jason Roy, Dawid Malan, James Vince, Sam Billings, Moeen Ali (c), Chris Woakes, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, David Willey, Adil Rashid
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