ENG Vs AUS, 5th ODI: Jos Buttler's Heroics Hand England a Nail-Biting Victory to Seal Series 5-0

England registered a thrilling one-wicket victory against Australia in the fifth and the final encounter of the five-match One-day International series to inflict a whitewash upon the visitors. It was a stunning effort by Jos Buttler which eventually helped England win the match from the jaws of defeat.

Moreover, it was a low-scoring encounter which proved to be the most evenly contested match in the series so far.

Aussie skipper Tim Paine, who won the toss and yet again elected to bat. Australia got off to a brisk start courtesy their openers Aaron Finch and Travis Head. Both the batsmen played some delightful shots as Australia raced off to 60 in the seventh over.

However, the dismissal of Finch enabled England to claw their way back into the match.

Wickets kept falling at regular intervals from there on and there was no way back for Australia. There run rate was more than six runs per over for the majority of the innings.

However, the fall of wickets on a regular interval led to their downfall in the end. Alex Carey stroked his way to a fluent 44 but wickets kept falling at the other end.

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D’Arcy Short, who is an opener was demoted in the batting order. However, the southpaw played a fine knock of 47 runs which eventually helped Australia go past the 200 mark. He scored 47 off 52 deliveries which included four boundaries. They were eventually bowled out for just 205 in the 25^th over.

For the hosts, Moeen Ali was the star performer bagging 4 wickets.

England began in the worst possible note losing Jason Roy in the very first over. It was Ashton Agar, who breached through his defence and castled his timbers.

Lanky paceman Billy Stanlake then produced a sensational piece of fast bowling which reduced England to 27 for four. Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, and Eoin Morgan fell in quick succession to put England on the backfoot.

When the score was 114 four eight, Australia looked well in command of proceedings. However, Buttler had different ideas. He batted superbly and notched up a sensational century.

Buttler shared an 81-run partnership with Adil Rashid for the ninth wicket which eventually helped them cross the finishing line.

Jos Buttler remained unbeaten on 110 of 122 deliveries which were studded with 12 fours and a six.

Brief Scores:

Australia 205 all-out in 34.4 overs (Travis Head 56, D’Arcy Short 47, Moeen Ali 4/46)

England 208/9 in 48.3 overs (Jos Buttler 110*, Billy Stanlake 3/35)

England won by a solitary wicket (with 9 deliveries to spare)

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