Bristol: Travis Head took 4-28 as Australia strangled England with spin before launching a rapid pursuit of their target with rain in the air to clinch their one-day international series 3-2 following a 49-run win via Duckworth–Lewis–Stern in Bristol on Sunday.
Australia were cruising at 165 for two after 20.4 overs in reply to England’s 309 all out before the rain that had been expected all day washed out the prospect of any more play four balls past the threshold for constituting a match.
Travis Head celebrates after taking the wicket of Brydon Carse in Bristol on Sunday.Credit: Getty Images
After being sent in to bat, England made a fast start as Ben Duckett smashed his way to 107, but the home side were stifled by Australia’s spinners and fell well short of a high target having been 202 for two midway through their innings.
Captain Harry Brook contributed a 52-ball 72 but he holed out to Adam Zampa after hitting him for five sixes, sparking a collapse from 202-2 in the 25th over.
Duckett was one of four wickets to fall to Travis Head, the fifth spinner Australia used on a wearing pitch. Head took 4-28 in 6.2 overs.
Australia made haste with the bat and cleared the boundary nine times to win a fascinating series that was tied 2-2 heading into the match after England routed the Australians in a 186-run loss in the fourth ODI at Lord’s on Friday.
Reuters, AP
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