Australia beat the rain and England to win tight series

Ben Duckett’s century was overshadowed by England’s batting collapse in Bristol before the forecast rain arrived too late to spare them from an ODI series defeat to Australia.

- DAVID CHARLESWORTH

Having battled back from 2-0 down to level the series at 2-2, the stage was set for England, but from 202 for two in the 25th over, a formidable total went begging as they capitulated to spin and were all out for 309.

The heavens did not open until four balls after the mandatory 20-over mark needed to constitute a game had been reached and a total of 165 for two was enough for Australia to record a 49-run victory by the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method.

Matthew Short’s 58 off 30 balls got them ahead of the rate and despite apparent stalling tactics from England as the 20-over mark hovered into view, the world champions walked away with a 3-2 series win.

England’s downfall, though, was in their batting as Duckett’s sparkling 107 off 91 balls – his second ODI century at the Seat Unique Stadium – was in vain.

He shared a 132-run stand in 98 balls with Harry Brook, whose demise for 72 off 52 deliveries started England’s slide. At one point 400 looked on but only a last-wicket stand of 33 edged them above 300.

Brook belted six of his seven sixes off Adam Zampa but perished to him as well, before Travis Head, the fifth spinner used by Australia, turned the screw and finished with his best ODI figures of four for 28.