England v Australia 5th ODI review: Australia secure series win after England’s tame surrender

England v Australia 5^th ODI review: Australia secure series win after England’s tame surrender: Australia have been able to end the tour on a high after the demoralizing Ashes defeat. England were no match to them in the 5^th and deciding ODI at Old Trafford as the tourists won by a comprehensive margin of 8 wickets to take the series 3-2.

There was some concern within the Australian camp after they had lost vital momentum in the last two games, but the world champions stepped up their game on the big occasion and secured a comfortable victory. When England were bundled out for 138, after choosing to bat first on a lively Manchester track, the writing was on the wall.

After being asked to bowl first, Mitchell Starc set the tone very early dismissing Jason Roy in the first over. Alex Hales’ poor series was put to rest by Hastings and James Taylor for the first time in the series couldn’t get going. England were hoping for in form Eoin Morgan to take them out of trouble but what transpired next gave everybody jitters. Having been struck by a brutal Starc bouncer, the England skipper looked in considerable discomfort and took the sensible decision of walking off after consultations with the physio.

Ben Stokes played with a positive mindset even as he lost his mates at the other end. Moeen Ali and David Willey were sent back in one Mitchell Marsh over. Marsh also accounted for Stokes trapping him right in front. Adil Rashid and Mark Wood scored a few boundaries to take the total past 100 but the tail was never going to resist the Australian pace battery. The hosts would have been better served if some of their top order batsmen had applied themselves on the crease as well as these two did. England were bundled out for 138 when Topley was out leg before wicket. Marsh was the pick of the bowlers with 4 wickets and was well backed up by Hastings who accounted for 3. This was the lowest total for England in ODIs against Australia since 2007.

As the chase began Australia were well on their way to clinching the series. The hosts were hoping for early wickets and David Willey didn’t disappoint as he removed Joe Burns in his second over. There were some bizarre tactics from Smith and Finch who were content in defending and looked like they wanted to play for the break. However, that didn’t go to plan as Mark Wood’s patience brought reward when Smith tried to flash at a wide one to give Bairstow a regulation catch. As the players went to Lunch when Australia were in command despite the early jolts while England were hoping for a miracle.

But George Bailey dismissed any such fantasies soon after the break as he played some aggressive shots. Alongwith Finch he wasted no time post the lunch interval and quickly took the attack to the England bowlers. Leg-spinner Adil Rashid in particular was taken apart soon after he was introduced into the attack with the batsmen picking up 24 runs off his first two overs. Finch quite literally swept his way to another ODI half-century and finished 70 not out as the visitors  chased down 139 in just 24.2 overs with eight wickets to spare

They say Australia rise to the occasion in big games and their bowlers have certainly vindicated that saying. The Aussies tried to get over their Ashes drubbing with strong performances in the first two ODIs and despite loosing momentum in the next two, they eventually delivered on the big day.

The match on the whole was a complete anticlimax. A lot was expected from England following their remarkable comeback in the series but they never really recovered from their horror start. For Australia this is a refreshing triumph. The Ashes didn’t go their way but they will be delighted having played to their true potential as the World Champions.

Brief Scores: 

 England – 138/10, 33 overs (Stokes 42, Rashid 35*; Marsh 4-27)

Australia – 140/2 40.2 overs (Finch 70*, Bailey 41*; Willey 1-13)

Australia won by 8 wickets and win the series 3-2

Man of the Match and Man of the series – Mitchell Marsh