Sam Billings hundred in vain as Australia avenge World Cup semi-final defeat

England won that high-stakes game at a canter – romping home with 107 balls remaining en route to lifting the trophy at Lord’s – and although nine of the side which lifted the trophy were back together in a partial reunion, the old magic was in short supply in the Royal London series opener.It was Australia who turned in a champion performance, recovering from early losses to post 
294-9 and holding England to 
275-9 in response.

If England needed any reminder that this was was a fresh chapter for all concerned it came in the form of their star performer, Billings, who missed the World Cup with a shoulder injury.

The 29-year-old has won just 19 caps since debuting five years ago but with Eoin Morgan’s team beginning the process of moving away from past glories and towards future challenges, he looks ready to be part of next phase.

Billings made 118 in 110 balls, with 14 boundaries and two sixes, and was out to the final delivery of the match having bravely tried to haul his team over the line. Australia had Josh Hazlewood to thank for an imperious return of 3-26 in 10 excellent overs, with leg-spinner Adam Zampa picking up 4-55.

England looked to be in control after sending their rivals in and reducing them to 123-5, particularly with Steve Smith missing out after being hit in the head during nets.

But Mitch Marsh (73) and Glenn Maxwell (77) more than doubled their side’s score with a game-changing partnership that left England needing a record chase at the ground.

The day began with Australia’s dangerous opening pair snuffed out, Jofra Archer pegging back David Warner’s off stump with a beauty in the third over and Aaron Finch nicking Mark Wood’s first ball behind.

Ordinarily the burden would fall on Smith to put things right but in his absence – which could continue tomorrow pending a second concussion test – Marcus Stoinis took up the task. He batted positively for 43 and looked good for even more until Wood’s skiddy pace and Jos Buttler’s diving catch did the trick.

Adil Rashid promptly snapped up two wickets – Marnus Labuschagne lbw with a googly and Alex Carey top-edging a sweep – and one more breakthrough might have been enough. Instead the solid Marsh and the expressive Maxwell piled on 126 in 20 overs.

What looked a stiff chase soon became a gargantuan one, with Mitchell Starc and Hazlewood magnificent first up. Jason Roy, Joe Root, Morgan and Jos Buttler all went and at 57-4 it looked doomed, only for Jonny Bairstow and Billings to bounce back valiantly to the tune of 113 at just under a run-a-ball.

Bairstow’s knock became a triumph of forebearance as he began to find the middle of his bat en route to a 78-ball half-century, before underhitting a slog off Zampa as England came up short.