OLLIE SINKS THE ROOS

In-form striker grabs his chance

- CHRIS MCKENNA

ENGLAND 1 AUSTRALIA 0

THIS was a chance to shine for England's fringe men but it was a performance to match the wet weather.

At a rain-soaked Wembley the Three Lions failed to roar and this friendly with Australia felt every bit the challenge match it was.

Ollie Watkins can at least take home a goal from it. A match-winner for England - not to be sniffed at.

It was the simplest of finishes but you have to be there.

Despite Jack Grealish's initial anger, it wasn't going in until Watkins directed it home almost on the line.

England saw the game out after the goal, happily controlling possession after a raft of substitutions as Australia's earlier hunger for an upset seemed to disappear. The visitors looked slightly more up for it early on. But this never had the fierceness of the clashes between these great old rivals in other sports like cricket and rugby.

If we are talking in player ratings, there were almost as many sixes here as an Ashes Test. Just in the out-of-10 variety.