Australia beat England by 49 runs through the DLS method in the fifth and final ODI of the series on Sunday, September 29 at County Ground, Bristol and clinched the series by 3-2. After being put in to bat first, England posted a good score of 309 courtesy of a brilliant hundred by Ben Duckett (107 off 91). The hosts failed to capitalize on a good foundation built by Duckett and captain Harry Brook as they had to settle for a much lower score than could actually get.
In reply, Australia were 165/2 after 20.4 overs when rain interrupted the match. The Steve Smith-led side were 49 runs ahead of the DLS par score at the time of the interruption and hence were awarded the match once the inclement weather didn’t allow the game to continue.
Travis Head was adjudged both Player of the Match and Player of the Series as he picked 4/28 scored 31 (26) in the game. The southpaw scored 248 runs from four innings in the series at an average of 82.66 and also scalped six wickets at an average of 10.33 and an economy of 5.63.
ENG vs AUS 5th ODI Highlights
Coming back to the match, England got off to a flying start as openers Ben Duckett and Philip Salt (45 off 27) added 58 runs for the first wicket in seven overs. After losing Salt, who hit Aaron Hardie (2/38, 5 overs) straight down the throat of Marnus Labuschagne at deep point for 45 (27), Duckett took the aggressive route as he smacked Josh Hazlewood for three boundaries in the very next over to keep the pressure on Australia.
Harry Brook and Duckett thrash Australian bowlers
Hardie further dismissed Will Jacks for a four-ball duck in his very next over as he bowled him through the gate. Following his dismissal, captain Harry Brook joined Duckett at the crease and the duo put up a massive 132-run stand off just 98 balls to take England past 200 in just 24.2 overs.
Their partnership was broken by Adam Zampa (2/74) who made Brook hole out to long on for 72 (52). At the other end, Duckett continued his innings and brought up his second ODI century in Bristol. He was dismissed shortly after completing his milestone as he tried to find consecutive sixes against Travis Head but miscued the hit only to get caught at long off by Hazlewood.
A fiery start from Short
His dismissal left England reeling at 238/6 after 34 overs with Jamie Smith (6 off 9) and Liam Livingstone (0 off 3) also back in the pavilion. Valuable contribution from Adil Rashid (36 off 35) took England to 309 all out in 49.2 overs.
In reply, Australia’s chase got off to a rollicking start with Head and Matthew Short (58 off 30) adding 78 runs for the first wicket off just 43 balls. Brydon Carse got the first breakthrough for England as he made Head hit one straight to Salt at cover.
Short continued his onslaught at the other end until his innings was brought to an end after he edged Matthew Potts into wicketkeeper Jamie Smith’s gloves leaving Australia on 118/2. With both openers back in the pavilion, Smith (36* off 48) and Inglis (28* off 20) kept the innings going with their 47-run stand before rain interrupted play handing Australia a win by DLS method.
