Centuries from Glenn Maxwell and Alex Carey ensured Australia beat England by three wickets to win the ODI series 2-1.
Outstanding partnership resues Aussies
Their fantastic partnership of 212 rescued the tourists from 73-5 and sent England to their first home ODI series defeat since 2015.
Earlier, England were indebted to a fine century from Jonny Bairstow which enabled them to post a total of 302-7.
England won the toss and elected to bat. After two deliveries I am sure they were regretting their decision after Mitchell Starc removed Jason Roy and Joe Root.
England make dreadful start to final ODI
Roy flashed at a wide delivery whilst Root was trapped lbw by the experienced quick bowler. Eoin Morgan avoided the hat trick ball and went on to add 67 for the third wicket with Bairstow.
Morgan(23) fell to Adam Zampa, with the leg spinner also picking up Jos Buttler(8) and Sam Billings(57) to finish with 3-51.
Bairstow to the rescue for England
Bairstow(112) was eventually bowled by Pat Cummins as England looked to Chris Woakes to add impetus to a big total. Along with Tom Curran the pair added 46 before Mitchell Starc(3-74) struck to dismiss Curran(19).
Woakes made an unbeaten 53 from 39 balls to take England past 300. The hosts smashed 53 in their final five overs as Australia’s bowlers wilted under pressure.
Morgan has Aussies on back foot after turning to Root
In pursuit of 303 to win Australia lost Aaron Finch(12) and Marcus Stoinis(4) to Woakes. In an inspired piece of captaincy from the England skipper, Morgan turned to Root. With just his fifth ball he bowled David Warner(24). Root struck again to dismiss Mitch Marsh(2) as Australia were rattled.
By the time Marnus Labuschagne(20) was run out the visitors were in deep trouble on 73-5.
Maxwell and Carey take Australia to the brink of victory
Enter Maxwell and Carey. The pair put on over two hundred for the sixth wicket to give Australia a real chance of winning the match. Both players had some luck with Carey bowled of a no ball on 9 and Maxwell dropped by Buttler on 44.
The pair who shone with their running between the wicket and powerful batting punished the England attack. Maxwell brought up his hundred with his seventh six over midwicket with his hundred coming off 84 balls. It was also his highest ODI score. Carey’s century followed shortly with his hundred coming off 106 balls.
Maxwell and Carey go quickly
Adil Rashid was brought back into the attack and Maxwell(108) perished of a top edge pull. It was down to Carey to see the visitors across the line, but he fell with ten needed. Jofra Archer returned with Carey(106) picked up brilliantly low down at third man by Wood.
Starc with the bat sees Australia across the line
It was down to Starc(11*) to see Australia to victory. With ten required of the final over he hit Rashid’s first ball for six over long on. Australia were firm favourites now.
With only two runs required from three balls Starc hit the winning runs by sweeping Rashid for a boundary.