Australia won the fifth one-day international match to take the overall series 3-2 on Sunday. They were at 165-2 in just 20.4 overs, well placed to make it to the initial target of 310 before rain halted play at the County Ground in Bristol. Australia won by 49 runs under the DLS method that adjusts targets in matches hit by rain.
Australia Beats The Rain To Win The Series By 3-2
The final ODI would have been a no-result had Australia not batted for at least 20 overs to enable a declaration, thus closing the series level at 2-2.
The rain hit just four balls after the 20 overs required to constitute a match but Matt Short and Travis Head had the Aussies well and truly on track for a 3-2 series victory! #ENGvAUS pic.twitter.com/AsyMPWrxll
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) September 29, 2024
England could have stretched their innings, but Harry Brook was in too much of an attacking mood against Australia’s batting. Australia breezed through to 103-1 in the first 10 overs, losing Travis Head to Brydon Carse for 31 runs. Explosive 58 by Matthew Short kept Australia ahead of the required run rate, even as England seemed to be stalling as the 20-over mark approached.
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Harry Brook Reflects On England’s Campaign
“We’ve got a hell of a lot of positives to take away from that,” said Brook, who filled in as England captain for the injured Jos Buttler in this series.
“They’re the best team in the world and we’re playing against some of the best bowlers and batters to have ever played the game.”
Australia Continue With Their ODI Dominance
Skipper Steve Smith was unbeaten on 36 while Josh Inglis also scored 28 runs in the total batting line-up. England had scored 309 all out in 49.2 overs after losing the toss and opted to bat first. Ben Duckett was in incredible form and hit 107* off 91 balls while Brook had made a blistering 72 off 52 balls with seven sixes.
England looked as good as 200 when things changed with Brook, who had hit five sixes, being caught by Adam Zampa of Australia in the 25th over and then the innings disintegrated from 202-2. Livingstone got one for a duck behind to Zampa, which also stalled the momentum for England.
Duckett was one of four wickets claimed by Head, the fifth spinner to be used by Australia on a deteriorating pitch, as he took 4-28 from 6.2 overs. Aaron Hardie, Zampa and Glenn Maxwell took two wickets apiece. Australia is the reigning world champion in the 50-over format, but they had lost the previous two games to England, ending an opening run of 14 matches.
