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England have wrapped up the ODI series with two games to go, as Eoin Morgan’s men continue to set the standard in white-ball cricket.
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The win in the third ODI at Sydney was described by Jos Buttler as “our best yet” as they sealed a 16-run victory, despite Liam Plunkett pulling up injured at the start of the Australian reply.
It was Buttler who starred in the third ODI, finishing with 100* and moving up to second in the Winter ODI MVP, with 44 points to his name.
The wicketkeeper negotiated a tricky SCG pitch and timed his innings to perfection, alongside Chris Woakes, they added over 100 runs in the last ten overs as England set a total that Australia could not match.
Woakes has moved into second place on the overall Winter MVP, with his white-ball form going from strength-to-strength.
The all-rounder has shone with the bat, making 39* in the second ODI and adding another unbeaten 53, as well as taking two wickets in the third ODI. He now has 91 MVP points for the winter and is only second to Joe Root.
Root himself is still top of the overall Winter MVP and third in the ODI rankings, putting in a number of impressive displays with bat and ball. He was dismissed for the first time in the current ODI series at Sydney, after scoring 91* and 46* in the previous games.
The Test captain has also proved a dab hand with the ball, taking on the responsibility of bowling Plunkett’s overs, he now has eight bowling points and a huge 109 points overall.
The star of the first ODI, Jason Roy, continues to lead the ODI Winter rankings with his record-breaking 180 setting the tone at the MCG. His score set the stall out for England and laid a marker down to the Australian’s that they have failed to match in every game, so far.
With the team high on confidence, and with a five-nil whitewash in sight, it would be foolish to write off some players who have not made a huge impact on the rankings just yet
Alex Hales and Jonny Bairstow have looked in good touch with the bat, and are threatening a big innings, whilst Moeen Ali is returning to the form he had over the summer.
Captain Morgan has led the side to perfection, managing his bowlers and the field astutely, he continues to oversee the white-ball transformation England have gone under. A big innings with the bat would be a just reward.
To view the England winter MVP rankings click here.
