England survived a late assault by the Australian fast bowlers on Sunday to win the third one-day international by one wicket with five balls to spare and clinch the five-match series against the world champions 3-0.
The victory at Old Trafford in Manchester follows last year’s Ashes triumph and this year’s Twenty20 World Cup final win over their oldest rival. England defend the Ashes in Australia later this year.
England, chasing a modest 213 to win, appeared to be cruising after captain Andrew Strauss struck a composed 87 and Twenty20 skipper Paul Collingwood scored 40.
But Shaun Tait took three for 28 and left-armer Doug Bollinger returned late in the innings to clean bowl Graeme Swann for one and Stuart Broad for a duck. With England still needing 10 to win and the last pair at the crease, Tim Bresnan struck a boundary off Ryan Harris and another in the final over off James Hopes to take England across the line.
After Strauss had won the toss and asked Australia to bat, Shane Watson and Tim Paine got their side away to a fast start. The openers plundered 75 runs.
{{/usCountry}}After Strauss had won the toss and asked Australia to bat, Shane Watson and Tim Paine got their side away to a fast start. The openers plundered 75 runs.
{{/usCountry}}Brief Scores: Australia 212 all out off 46 overs (S. Watson 61, G. Swann 4-37) lost to England 214 for nine off 49.1 overs (A. Strauss 87; Bollinger 3-20).