Australia pinch ODI series against England in rain-hit decider

Australia have won the fifth and final ODI against England, claiming the series 3-2 with a 49-run win in Bristol on Monday morning (AEST).

For the third time in as many matches, the contest was impacted by rain, with Australia’s innings shortened to just 20.4 overs after England made 309.

The hosts were initially looking good for a much higher score, having moved through to 2/202 at the halfway point of the innings thanks to a 132-run stand by Ben Duckett and Harry Brook after Phil Salt made a quickfire 45 early on.

When Brook fell for 72, however, the floodgates opened.

Both Jamie Smith and Liam Livingstone fell cheaply before Duckett was snaffled for 107 by Travis Head.

Head would go on to take match-leading figures of 4/28 as England lost their last eight wickets for just 107 runs.

He then made a rapid 31 at the top of the order for Australia, with Matthew Short (58), Steve Smith (36*) and Josh Inglis (28*) also chipping in to power the visitors through to 2/165 before the rain set in.

With the par score 2/116 after 20.4 overs and the rain showing no sign of abating, Australia were declared winners using the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method.

Captain Mitchell Marsh was pleased with the resolve Australia showed to rein in England from their fast start.

“They were on track for a big total, so to pull them back 8/100 was a fantastic effort,” he said.

“Five ODIs in 12 days is a challenge, but we were calm and present with the XIs we had.

“Some experienced cricketers led the way, been a great few weeks.

“Trophies are hard to win, we look forward to Pakistan in a few months’ time.”

England captain Brook emphasised his team’s focus on future ICC tournaments and highlighted some of the positives the home side could take from the series.

“Nice to get some runs and contribute to some wins, and get the tempo of ODI cricket,” he said.

“We’re looking long-term towards world competitions and bigger series.

“[We’re playing] a new brand of cricket, trying to be entertaining, looked to take wickets throughout.

“’Duckie’ (Duckett) opening the batting has been unbelievable, ‘Smudge’ (Jamie Smith) putting pressure on Zampa… We haven’t got wickets in the powerplay but outside ‘Rash’ (Adil Rashid) is world class.

“We’re trying to play similar brand to the boys in Test cricket with ‘Baz’ (Brendon McCullum) and ‘Stokesy’ (Ben Stokes).”

Next up, both sides will play Pakistan.

England head there next week for the first of three Tests, while Australia have a month off before hosting a six-match white-ball series to kick off their summer.

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