Spinners shine as Australia defeats England in series decider

Australia’s spinners, spearheaded by Travis Head, and a blistering fifty from Matthew Short powered the world champions to a 49-run win (via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method) in the fifth and final ODI against England. The victory sealed the series 3-2 for the visitors.

After winning the toss, Australia opted to bowl first.

England’s openers, Phil Salt and Ben Duckett, came out all guns blazing, racing to 50 in just 6.2 overs. Salt, in particular, was in fine touch, smashing 45 off 27 balls, including five boundaries and three towering sixes. However, Aaron Hardie provided the breakthrough, dismissing Salt and later accounting for Will Jacks (0), leaving England at 70/2 in 8.4 overs.

Duckett and captain Harry Brook then steadied the ship, bringing up England’s 100 in 15 overs. Duckett, who reached his half-century in 45 balls with eight fours, was looking settled as England crossed 150 in 19.4 overs.

Brook continued his superb form, bringing up his third consecutive fifty-plus score in the series off just 39 balls, laced with two boundaries and five sixes. The 132-run partnership between Brook and Duckett ended when Adam Zampa struck, removing Brook for 72 (52 balls, three fours, seven sixes), with Glenn Maxwell taking a sharp catch at long-off. England stood at 202/3 after 25 overs.

From there, Australia’s spin trio – Head, Maxwell, and Zampa – took control of the game. England’s middle order faltered as wickets fell at regular intervals. Adil Rashid put up a fight with a gritty 36 off 35 balls, but the rest of the lower order crumbled, with Jamie Smith (6), Liam Livingstone (0), and Jacob Bethell (13) offering little resistance.

England were bundled out for 309 in 49.2 overs. Head was the standout performer with the ball, bagging 4/28, while Hardie, Zampa, and Maxwell chipped in with two wickets each.

In reply, Australia got off to a flying start, with openers Head and Matthew Short taking the attack to England’s bowlers. Olly Stone’s fourth over went for 16 runs, while Matthew Potts was smashed for 14 in the next. Head then teed off on Jacks, smashing 20 runs in a single over as Australia reached 50 in just 5.1 overs.

Brydon Carse finally provided the breakthrough, dismissing Head for a well-made 31 off 26 balls (four boundaries, two sixes), with Phil Salt taking a good catch. Australia were 78/1 after 7.1 overs and continued their charge to 100 in just 10 overs.

Short, who was in devastating form, brought up his maiden ODI fifty in just 23 balls, including six fours and four sixes. However, Potts got his revenge by removing Short for 58 off 30 balls, with Jamie Smith taking a smart catch behind the stumps. Australia were 118/2 in 12.4 overs.

Steve Smith (36* off 48 balls, four boundaries, one six) and Josh Inglis (28* off 20 balls, two boundaries, two sixes) were consolidating the chase when rain intervened. With Australia 49 runs ahead on the DLS method, they were declared the winners.

Travis Head, for his all-round brilliance, was awarded ‘Player of the Match,’ and was also named ‘Player of the Series’ for his 248 runs, including a knock of 154*, and six wickets.