5th ODI
Travis Head’s all-round performance has propelled Australia team to a 3-2 series victory
England scored 309 in 49.2 overs, where as Australia scored 165/2 in 20.4 overs.
So, finally Australia won by 49 runs (DLS Method).
Travis Head took four wickets and starred in a rapid 78-run opening partnership with Matthew Short in the run chase, helping Australia secure a series win in the rain-affected final fixture in Bristol.
When rain halted play, Australia was at 165 for 2 in 20.4 overs, leading by 49 runs according to DLS calculations, which ultimately determined the winning margin as rain prevented any further play.
Despite dark clouds looming over the County Ground during the first innings, Short and Head got off to a blazing start, keeping Australia ahead of the par score.
After a couple of quiet overs, Head attacked Matthew Potts with two fours, while Short also targeted Olly Stone.
Head then unleashed on Will Jacks in the sixth over, hitting two fours and two sixes.
Australia’s rapid scoring continued even after Brydon Carse dismissed Head for 31 off 26 balls at the start of the eighth over.
By the end of the Power Play, Australia was comfortably positioned at 103 for 1.
Although Steve Smith did not match the openers’ aggression, Short went on to score his maiden half-century off just 23 balls, capped off with a six.
Potts dismissed Short caught behind in the 13th over, but Australia remained well ahead of the asking rate.
England, sensing the approaching rain, felt they had the weather on their side and even removed Adil Rashid from the attack, despite his effectiveness, to delay reaching the 20-over mark.
They took a drinks break after the 17th over to buy some time but were unable to benefit from the rain’s arrival.
Josh Inglis added to England’s troubles with quick runs, hitting Stone for two fours in the 19th over and Carse for two sixes in the 20th.
Just four balls into the 21st over, showers forced the players indoors, with the rain continuing for about an hour.
Australia was eventually awarded the game—and the series—due to their substantial lead over the par score.
Earlier in the day, Ben Duckett led England’s effort for a dramatic comeback in the series with his second ODI century.
He and Harry Brook formed a crucial third-wicket partnership of 132 runs, but Australia’s spinners shifted the momentum midway through the innings.
England collapsed from 202 for 2 in the 25th over to 276 for 9 in the 44th, with many batters falling while trying to clear the straight boundary.
Brook secured his third consecutive fifty, becoming the highest run-scorer as captain in a bilateral ODI series against Australia with 312 runs.
However, these efforts were overshadowed by Head’s four-wicket haul, while Adam Zampa and Glenn Maxwell each took two wickets.
Adil Rashid fought hard in a final-wicket stand with Olly Stone to help England surpass the 300-run mark, but ultimately, it was not enough.
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