England are staring down the barrel of their worst-ever international tour, after George Bailey blazed Australia into a dominant position in the final Twenty20 at ANZ Stadium on Sunday night.
Dropped from the Test team in the aftermath to the Ashes, T20 captain Bailey looked to have the last laugh in what’s been a comical summer for England, as he steered Australia to an imposing 6-195 from their 20 overs.
Bailey won the toss, and then came out and smashed an unbeaten 49 from 20 balls, including 26 runs off the final over bowled by England struggler Jade Dernbach (0-49).
Opening batsman White (41 off 37 balls) fell short of his third consecutive half century, but along with Aaron Finch and Ben Cutting helped put Australia in the box seat to inflict a record 12th defeat on England this summer.
In 2006-07, when England were also swept 5-0 in the Test series, they lost 11 international matches on tour.
To avoid an unwanted place in history before they board a flight home first-thing Monday morning, England must chase down the biggest total set on a slow ANZ wicket this season (previous best 165 in the BBL).
Captain Stuart Broad is one of only a handful of players to have been in Australia for every minute of England’s 101 days of misery.
However, despite the bumbling efforts of many of his teammates, the gutsy fast bowler showed his class, taking 3-30, including bowling Dan Christian with his last ball on Australian soil.
Sloppy fielding once again hurt England’s chances of taking a stranglehold on the match.
Finch was dropped twice on his way to 30 off 21 deliveries, and replacement fielder Michael Lumb missed a chance to run-out explosive hitter Ben Cutting when he was just 2.
Cutting was boosted up the order to come in at No.4, and it proved a turning point in Australia’s innings as the Queenslander blazed 29 from 16 balls, including three sixes and a four.
Matt Wade was also dropped early in his cameo of 19 not out from 10, while wicketkeeper Jos Buttler comically missed the stumps when he had a chance to run-out Bailey off the last ball of an over where the skipper had smashed two sixes and three fours.
Meanwhile, sacked Australian coach Mickey Arthur hinted he would put his hand up for the vacant England coaching position in a commentating stint on BBC radio.
