Travis Head took 4-28 as Australia strangled England with spin before launching a rapid pursuit of their target with rain in the air to clinch the One-Day International series 3-2 following a 49-run win via Duckworth–Lewis–Stern in Bristol on Sunday.
Australia were cruising at 165 for two after 20.4 overs in reply to England’s 309 all out before the rain that had been expected all day washed out the prospect of any more play four balls past the threshold for constituting a match.
After being sent in to bat, England made a fast start as Ben Duckett smashed his way to 107 but were stifled by Australia’s spinners and fell well short of a par score having been 202 for two midway through their innings.
Australia made haste with the bat and cleared the boundary nine times to win a fascinating series they had led 2-0 but allowed England to set up a decider with victories in the previous two fixtures.
