Jos Buttler smashed an unbeaten 100 off 83 deliveries as England claimed a 16-run win and ODI series victory against Australia.
After a 4-0 defeat in the Test series, England were on a revenge mission against Australia in the ODIs.
England won the first two ODIs convincingly – by five and four wickets respectively – and got the perfect start to the third ODI.
England posted 302-6, but it wasn’t all rosy for the visitors. After being 189-6 – with cameos from Jonny Bairstow (39) and Eion Morgan (41) – Buttler and Chris Woakes took their side to their final innings total.
Buttler hit his fifth ODI ton and Woakes his third ODI half-century, in a 113-run stand. Buttler’s century came off 83 balls, which included four sixes that all came in the last five overs. Since 2013, the wicketkeeper-batsman has hit 38 sixes in the last five overs, the most by any batsman in ODIs, overtaking AB de Villiers (37).
England maintained ruthlessness with their bowling attack, knocking over Cameron White (17) and David Warner (8), reducing Australia to 44-2 in 8.3 overs.
Aaron Finch and Steve Smith resurrected a shaky start, led by Finch’s 18th half-century, but the opener was sent packing for lbw off Adil Rashid on 62 off 53 balls, after an unsuccessful review.
An even contest followed until Smith’s controversial dismissal for 45 turned the game in England’s favour. Buttler’s low catch seemed to have some grass involved, but after numerous replays, the soft signal from on-field umpire Kumar Dharmasenac remained. Smith walked off the field fuming, Australia reduced to 181-4 after 34 overs.
Shaun Marsh held the key to keeping the hosts’ series alive, but he fell victim to Rashid for his second scalp in the 39th over.
Tim Paine and Marcus Stonis’ partnership (74) brought the hosts within 22 needed off six balls but three balls into the final over, Stonis was sent packing for 56 off 43 balls.
England claimed a 16-run win to go 3-0 and win the five-match series.
Photo: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
