Australia secured a 3-2 series win over England in the fifth and final ODI on Monday, thanks to brilliant bowling from their spinners, led by Travis Head, and a blazing half-century from Matthew Short. The world champions triumphed by 49 runs via the Duckworth-Lewis method.
Winning the toss, Australia opted to bowl first. England’s openers, Phil Salt and Ben Duckett, got off to a flying start, pushing England to 50 runs in just over six overs. Salt smashed a quick-fire 45 off 27 balls before falling to Aaron Hardie, who also claimed Will Jacks for a duck, leaving England at 70/2.
Ben Duckett reached his half-century in 45 balls, while captain Harry Brook continued his red-hot form, scoring 72 off 52 balls. The pair added 132 runs, helping England cross 200 by the 25th over. However, Australia’s spinners, including Adam Zampa, Glenn Maxwell, and Head, took control, dismantling England’s middle order. England was eventually bowled out for 309 runs in 49.2 overs, with Head taking a remarkable 4/28.
In response, Australia’s openers, Head and Short, started aggressively, smashing 50 runs in just over five overs. Short continued his dominance, reaching his maiden ODI fifty in just 23 balls, before falling for 58. Australia quickly amassed runs and was well ahead of the DLS par score when rain halted play, giving them a victory by 49 runs.
Travis Head was named both ‘Player of the Match’ for his all-round performance and ‘Player of the Series,’ having scored 248 runs, including a brilliant 154*, and claiming six wickets.
