England Thrash Australia by 135 Runs in Adelaide as Banton Hits Century to Level ODI Series

England have hit back in Australia. Two days after being bowled out for 131 in Perth, they beat Australia by 135 runs in the second one-day international in Adelaide on Sunday, levelling the three-match series at 1-1.

Tom Banton’s 121 led England to 355-6, the highest total they have ever made in a one-day international in Australia. Gus Atkinson then took a career-best 4-28, and Australia were all out for 220 with more than five overs left.

The series will be decided in Hobart on Wednesday, with play starting at 03:30 GMT.

Banton survives a helmet blow to make 121

Australia won the toss and chose to bowl. England lost Ben Duckett early, slashing to point for 9.

Banton was struck on the helmet by a Spencer Johnson bouncer when he had 10. He batted on to make his second ODI century from 99 balls, and his 137-run partnership with Joe Root, who made 62, gave England control. Banton was eventually caught at deep square leg.

Banton is only in the side because Jacob Bethell injured his knee, and he keeps making it count. In his last nine innings he has two hundreds and four fifties.

“I think the most important thing is getting the win,” he told Test Match Special. “Coming here today if we didn’t win, the Hobart match wouldn’t have mattered.” He also called his hundred a “very proud moment.”

Cox and Jacks cut loose at the death

Harry Brook went for 5, dragging a ramp shot onto his stumps. England were 245-4 after 40 overs.

Jordan Cox, keeping wicket in place of Jos Buttler, and Will Jacks then added 102. Cox hit 67 off 49 balls, including a reverse scoop for four off Xavier Bartlett, and Jacks finished on 54 not out from 40. England scored 110 runs from the last 10 overs, and Atkinson hit two sixes in the final over.

Atkinson rips through Australia’s top order

The chase was over almost as soon as it began. Australia were 29-4 inside seven overs.

Sonny Baker, picked in place of Jamie Overton, struck first when Root dived at slip to catch Mitchell Marsh for 2. Atkinson removed Travis Head for 7, the second match in a row he has dismissed the opener, and then had Josh Inglis and Cooper Connolly caught behind.

Cameron Green, with 64, and Matt Renshaw, with 63, rebuilt the innings, helped by England dropping four catches. Green was stumped after the ball bounced off Cox’s shin onto the stumps.

Sam Curran then took two wickets in two balls, bowling Jack Edwards with a slow, looping “moon ball.” Liam Dawson, picked ahead of Adil Rashid again, took 2-41. Jofra Archer finished the match by knocking out Johnson’s middle stump, one ball after Baker had dropped him.

Records and a much-needed response

The figures show how big the turnaround was. This was England’s first one-day win in Adelaide for 15 years. It ended a run of seven defeats to Australia at the ground across all formats, and six straight 50-over losses to Australia away from home. By runs, it is England’s third-biggest one-day win over Australia.

It also follows a difficult few weeks. Last month England failed to defend 430 against Sri Lanka, and they lost to Pakistan in Rawalpindi and Lahore.

Former Australia batter and coach Darren Lehmann did not hold back. “England were too good. They have bounced back from Perth,” he said. “Australia were outplayed in all departments apart from the fielding.”

Sources: BBC Sport match report and live coverage, Australia v England second one-day international, Adelaide (November 15, 2026).