Australia Secures Hat-Trick Series Victory Against England

With an impressive performance from Travis Head with the ball and explosive batting from opener Matthew Short, Australia triumphed in their third consecutive ODI series against England. In the decisive fifth and final ODI last night, Australia defeated England by 49 runs under the rain rule, clinching the five-match series 3-2. Previously, Australia had won three-match ODI series in 2020 and 2022.

Having lost the toss in Bristol, England batted first and got off to a strong start with 58 runs in just 7 overs. Australian pacer Aaron Hardie claimed the first wicket by dismissing English opener Phil Salt, who scored 45 runs off 27 balls, hitting five fours and three sixes. Hardie then quickly struck again, dismissing number three Wil Jacks without scoring. Following the loss of the second wicket at 70 runs, openers Ben Duckett and captain Harry Brook steadied the innings, adding 132 runs for the third wicket off 98 balls. This partnership saw Duckett secure his second ODI century.

Alongside Duckett’s century, Brook's half-century helped England reach the 200-run mark by the second ball of the 25th over. However, this marked the beginning of a collapse in the English batting order. Over the next 24.3 overs, England managed to score only 107 runs, ultimately being bowled out for 309 in 49.2 overs. The last eight wickets for England fell to spinners Adam Zampa, Glenn Maxwell, and Travis Head.

Zampa initiated the batting collapse by dismissing Brook at the end of the 25th over. Brook scored 72 runs off 52 balls, hitting three fours and seven sixes. Zampa then removed explosive batter Liam Livingstone for a duck.

Maxwell joined Zampa in taking wickets, dismissing Jamie Smith and Matthew Potts for 6 runs. Making his debut as Australia’s eighth bowler, Head sent back centurion Duckett. Duckett scored 107 runs off 91 balls, hitting 13 fours and 2 sixes. In the final moments, Head claimed three more wickets, delivering a career-best bowling performance of 4 wickets for 28 runs in 6.2 overs.

Chasing 310 runs, Australia’s openers Short and Head scored 78 runs in just 7 overs. In the first ball of the eighth over, Head fell to pacer Bryden Carse after scoring 31 runs off 26 balls.

Although Head was dismissed, Short maintained the run rate, reaching his maiden ODI half-century off just 23 balls with a six. He scored 58 runs off 30 balls, hitting seven fours and four sixes, before being dismissed by English pacer Potts after putting Australia past the 100-run mark.

After Short's dismissal at 118 runs in the 13th over, Australia was revitalised by captain Steven Smith and Josh Inglis. Their partnership of 47 runs brought the team to 165 runs for the loss of 2 wickets in 20.4 overs before rain halted play. Following continued rain, Australia secured victory under the rain rule, needing 116 runs at that point, having scored 49 runs more than required.

Smith remained unbeaten on 36 runs, while Inglis scored 28. Travis Head was named Player of the Match and Player of the Series. Earlier, the three-match T20 series had concluded in a 1-1 draw between England and Australia.