Brook's unbeaten century keeps Australia series alive

England win third game of five match ODI series by 46 runs

- RORY DOLLARD

Harry Brook scored an outstanding first one-day international century as the captain England to victory against Australia and kept the Metro Bank series alive at Chester-le-Street.

Brook, deputising again for the injured Jos Buttler, came to the crease with his side’s pursuit of 305 in big trouble at 11 for two but changed the game with a magnificent innings.

He shared a transformative stand of 156 with Will Jacks, who hit a stylish 84, and went on to reach a dominant 110 not out from 94 balls.

Rain denied him the satisfaction of finishing the job in style but, with England 254 for four and needing just 51 off 74 when the weather turned, they walked away with a handsome 46-run win on Duckworth-Lewis-Stern.

When play was finally abandoned under evening showers at the Seat Unique Riverside the result was already a formality, as was the end of Australia’s 14-match winning streak in the format.

They made England’s task stiffer than it might have been after a slow start with the bat, moving through the gears to put on 104 in their last 10 overs and 44 in the final four.