England soothe Ashes hangover with ODI series victory

Jos Buttler shines and bowlers keep their discipline in 16-run win at the SCG to take unassailable 3-0 lead

^{England beat Australia by 16 runs at the SCG}

Jos Buttler’s extraordinary hundred was followed by another disciplined England bowling performance as the tourists secured series victory in Australia with two matches still to play.

Buttler crashed an even and unbeaten 100 from 83 balls to set the Aussies 303 for victory at the SCG, and that proved too much for the hosts who ultimately gave their lower middle order too much to do in the latter overs, falling 16 runs short.

It was the execution of the final 60 balls of each innings, and the personal contribution of Buttler, that decided this game.

In the 40th over, England sat precariously on 200 for six thanks to a considerably improved display in the field from the Australians - refreshed by the return of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.

That they ended with yet another score in excess of 300 was down to the extraordinary hitting of their wicketkeeper - a collection of trick shots and range-hitting that had the Sydney crowd diving for cover in the stands.

Ably supported by Chris Woakes, Buttler ensured England added 102 from their last 60 deliveries and 38 from the final 12.

By comparison, Australia managed 83.

^{Aaron Finch hit 62 at the top of the order for Australia}

While the painful memories of the Ashes aren’t likely to fade any time soon, this win - achieved in double-quick time and with the entertaining flourish we’re now so used to seeing from a Trevor Bayliss white-ball side, does at least offer some light relief.

Hardly bragging rights, but enough to provide self-satisfaction.

England had been inserted by Steve Smith, the Aussie skipper perhaps learning the lessons of Melbourne and Brisbane, where their guests had chased targets with ease.

In their five previous innings at the SCG, Australia had made 353 for six, 324 for eight, 330 for seven, 328 for seven and 376 for nine, each batting first. It was a compliment to England that the hosts turned down the chance to make first use of the wicket.

Fortunately for Smith, his bowlers stepped up.

Jason Roy and Alex Hales both fell cheaply, while Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root got starts which they couldn’t turn into anything substantial.

At 107 for four, there was a chance Australia could render England lame. But Eoin Morgan settled down with Buttler to stabilise the innings and, once the skipper and then Moeen Ali had been dismissed, Woakes once again showed himself to be so much more than his Test performances Down Under suggested.

^{Mitchell Marsh contributed a half-century of his own in the middle order}

The Warwickshire allrounder finished with an unbeaten 53 to complement Buttler’s ton.

Australia had plenty to do.

In reply, David Warner didn’t last long, chipping Woakes to Hales at cover in uncharacteristically timid fashion, while Cameron White threw everything at a short ball from Mark Wood and only achieved in getting a thin edge through to Buttler.

Again, it seemed as though Australia’s hopes of toppling their guests would rest on Aaron Finch.

The opener, going into the game off the back of consecutive centuries in Melbourne and Brisbane, was quickly into his rhythm and briefly threatened to make things difficult for England - particularly after Liam Plunkett limped out of the attack with a hamstring injury having bowled just eight balls of his spell.

However, after cracking Root for back-to-back sixes over wide long-on, Finch’s time was up - an ill-fated sweep leading to an lbw victim for Adil Rashid, who outfoxed the Aussie with a quicker, flatter delivery that skidded underneath his attempted sweep.

Australia, much like England had at 107 for four and 200 for six with 10 overs of their innings remaining, looked a little fragile.

This time there was some resilience from the middle order, with Smith and Mitch Marsh sharing a half-century stand.

Smith, having dropped himself one place down the order, played the pivot role that Root had so expertly played in the first two matches.

^{Jos Buttler's magnificent hundred turned out to be the difference}

The Australian captain took his time to settle, reaching 40 before he hit his first boundary, and with the required rate rising by the over his stay became somewhat wasteful when he was caught by Buttler low down to his right off the bowling of Wood for 45 from 66 balls.

The episode caused some controversy in the ground, with TV replays suggesting to the crowd inside the SCG that the ball had bounced in front of the wicketkeeper. As we all know by now, of course, technology creates as many arguments over disputed catches as it solves.

Smith left the field shaking his head, having five minutes previously been happy to walk off after seeing Buttler take the grab. Englishmen saw it as a clear catch. Australians felt aggrieved. Once the pantomime had run its course, the game had to go on.

And for the home side it did not go well.

Marsh, moments after reaching his 11th ODI half-century, picked out Hales in the deep off Rashid.

Still it wasn’t over.

Marcus Stoinis and Tim Paine maneuvered the field to give Australia a slither of a chance. Forty-three were needed off the final three overs, thirty off the last two and 22 with six deliveries remaining.

But England held their nerve. Stoinis holed out to Sam Billings in the deep off Woakes for 56 and, with his departure, so Australia’s chances dissipated.

Series victory confirmed.

Now for a whitewash?