Australia secured a commanding 68-run victory over England in the second ODI at Headingley, taking a 2-0 lead in the series. After dismissing Australia for 270, England's batting crumbled against a relentless pace attack, falling short at 202 all out in 40.2 overs.
England's top order struggled, with Will Jacks and Liam Livingstone dismissed for first-ball ducks, while Harry Brook managed just four runs in his second match as stand-in captain. Jamie Smith and Jacob Bethell attempted to steady the innings after England slumped to 65-5, but Bethell was caught for 25, and Smith fell just short of a half-century, clipping Josh Hazlewood to mid-wicket for 49.
Despite a brief resistance from Adil Rashid (27) and Brydon Carse (26), the hosts were bowled out, with many spectators already heading for the exits. Australia’s pace duo, Mitchell Starc (3-50) and Hazlewood (2-54), proved too much for England to handle.
Earlier in the day, Australia relied on Alex Carey’s vital knock of 74 to recover from 161-6 and post a competitive total. Carey, who faced jeers from the crowd due to his involvement in the controversial Ashes stumping of Jonny Bairstow, put on an important 49-run partnership with Hazlewood to push Australia to 270.
England's batting woes began early when opener Phil Salt, after being dropped on eight, was caught behind for 12 off Hazlewood. Starc then took key wickets, including Jacks and Brook, the latter falling to a pinpoint yorker. Ben Duckett's soft dismissal, caught and bowled by Aaron Hardie, and Livingstone's edge down the leg side continued England's downfall.
Despite a promising partnership between Smith and Bethell, Australia’s bowlers reasserted their dominance. Smith’s elegant on-drive against Starc was a rare highlight before Hazlewood removed him in his second spell, sealing England's fate.
With this defeat, England faces an uphill battle as Australia can wrap up the five-match series with a win in the third ODI at Chester-le-Street.