England vs Australia AUS in ENG, 5 ODIs, 2024 Full Scorecard

Around middle, punched down to long on for a run.

WIDE. The googly, but down the leg side, left alone.

FOUR! A bit too short from Rashid. Steven Smith gets across and pulls it firmly through mid-wicket. 147 more needed from 177 balls.

Outside off, punched straight to point.

Full, on middle, Josh Inglis flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.

Adil Rashid switches ends. 3-0-8-0 so far.

And we shall have a result. Fuller, on middle, Smith pushes it towards mid on. 14 from the over, Carse's figures read 5-0-36-1. Australia needed to be 113/2 after 20 overs.

Landed outside off, Steven Smith looks to flay at that one and misses. Harry Brook has a chat with his bowler and keeper regarding the review for a catch but does not take it.

A touch fuller, outside off, Josh punches it through the covers for a run. The stand moves to 40 (43).

TOP EDGE, SIX! Not a bad ball from Carse. He goes short again, tempting Inglis to go for the pull and is obliged. There is extra bounce on this one and Inglis gets a top edge but it sails over fine leg.

SIX! VIOLENCE! A short ball, outside off, Josh Inglis picks the length up pretty quickly. Rocks onto his back foot in a flash and pulls it over mid-wicket. This stand moves to 33 from 40 balls and 150 COMES UP FOR AUSTRALIA. 159 more needed from 184 balls.

Fuller, around off, Steven Smith gets across and clips it through mid-wicket for a single.

Brydon Carse returns. 4-0-22-1 so far.

FOUR! TONK! Short and wide outside off, Josh Inglis slaps this through point and ends the over with a boundary. 11 from the over, 166 more needed from 186 balls. Stone's figures read 4-0-36-0.

Fuller and Josh goes hard on the off drive. The ball goes off the toe end of the bat towards mid off.

Better from Inglis. On a length again, outside off, Inglis gets on top of the bounce and punches it nicely through point. By the time sweeper can get across to his left, two runs are taken.

EDGED, FOUR! A length ball, outside off, just a little bit of width again, moving away off the seam. Inglis throws his bat at it and gets a thick outside edge, behind Will Jacks at backward point and beats Adil Rashid running to his right from deep third.

On a length, outside off, another airy-fairy swish from Josh Inglis, without moving his feet and misses.

Short and wide outside off, Steven Smith slaps it through point for a single. Moves to 30 (42).

Olly Stone is back on. 3-0-25-0 so far.

Fuller, just around off, Inglis gets a big stride forward to defend.

Fuller, around off, Josh Inglis comes forward and drives it towards mid on.

Matthew Potts signals for a new pair of shoes towards the dressing room. Ian Ward and Ricky Ponting on air suggest cheekily to call for the support staff and physio, just to waste some time. Potts has his shoes off and socks off as well. Harry Brook is near the bowler and is almost about to burst out laughing. The umpires get a bit serious now and want to get this done quickly and on comes someone from the dressing room, with a pair of shoes. Still 14 legal balls away to constitute a game. Potts is ready with his replaced boots now.

Landed outside off, Smith gets across and nurdles it through mid-wicket for a single.

A bit wider outside off, Steven Smith lets it pass.

Fuller this time, watchfully defended.

On a good length, outside off, pushed back to the bowler.

DRINKS BREAK. As mentioned earlier, the scheduled break is being taken. At this point in time, England will not mind it one bit but one more wicket will make things interesting as that DLS par score will increase after the third wicket. Australia have done well to play the new balls out and they have got so far ahead, that they can afford to play cautiously for now. They are clearly looking to see off Rashid and play normal cricket against the other bowlers. England may be behind right now, but a couple of quick wickets and it will be England who will be charging ahead. Matthew Potts is back on. 6-0-48-1 so far.

On a good length, around off, Josh Inglis hops and defends.

Another inside edge. Fuller, outside off, Steven looks to play an expansive cover drive but the ball comes slowly off the deck, takes the inner half of the bat and scoots through mid-wicket. A single taken.

Nearly chopped on! On a good length, outside off, the skipper gets across to punch it through the off side but is done in by the extra bounce. Gets a thick inside edge which goes past the stumps. Good work by the keeper, Jamie Smith, to dive to his left to stop the ball.

SIX! That is majestic from Smith. He has played it on line, rather than on length. A length ball, outside off, angling in, Steven Smith gets across and picks it with the angle over deep backward square leg. 179 more needed from 201 balls.

And now, there is rain in the air...

Similar ball, around off, Smith comes forward again to block.

Landed outside off, on a good length, Steven Smith comes forward to defend.

The breeze has really picked up in Bristol and we can hear the thunder rumbling. We are 4 overs away from having a result. The ground staff is moving and we are scheduled to have a DRINKS BREAK at the end of the 17th over, or if a wicket falls earlier.

Floated, outside off, the skipper pushes it towards long off for a single.

Fuller, around off, pushed towards point.

Pushed through from the front portion of his hand by Adil Rashid, Smith picks it really late and gets into a tangle, somehow managing to defend.

On middle and leg, Steven Smith stays back to defend.

Fuller, around off, watchfully defended.

Outside off, punched uppishly through the covers for a single.

Well, well, well, what happened in that last over? On 14.1, Josh Inglis looked to flay at a ball close to his body and got beaten. There was half an appeal for a catch by Jamie Smith, the keeper and Brydon Carse but neither was sure. UltraEdge detects a thin spike when the ball was close to the bat!

Fuller, outside off, the skipper walks into that shot and defends.

Landed outside off, watchfully defended.

It has gotten ever so darker. Remember, we need to have 20 overs bowled to get any kind of a result, if the game is interrupted, not to resume again.

Fuller, outside off, Smith gets a big stride across and shoulders arms.

On a good length, just outside off, Steven Smith gets forward and across to defend it down the pitch.

On a good length, just outside off, Inglis hops and dabs it towards deep third for a single.

Brydon Carse returns. 2-0-14-1 so far. Starts off with a length ball, outside off, Josh Inglis has a lazy slash at it, without moving his feet and is beaten.

Once again, Inglis sits back and plays Rashid off the pitch. It is not all that short but the keeper batter plays it off the back foot and punches it through the covers for one.

Slower again, around off, the skipper gets across and nurdles it through mid-wicket for a run. 189 more needed from 217 balls.

Floated, around middle, Smith lunges and blocks.

Short again, wide outside off, much slower through the air, spinning away, Inglis punches it past cover this time, for a single to get off the mark.

Landed outside off, a touch short, spinning away, Josh Inglis punches it straight to cover.

Landed around middle, Steven Smith gets across and flicks it uppishly through mid-wicket for a single.

On a good length, hitting the deck hard, outside off, Josh Inglis defends it to the off side. 5 runs and a wicket from the over, Matthew Potts's figures read 6-0-48-1.

Full and wide outside off, left alone.

Josh Inglis walks in at number 4, replacing Matthew Short.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Once again, Short plays a short innings, lasting just 30 balls. The line is similar to the previous ball but the length is slightly held back a touch. Short looks to drive it on the up but this is nowhere even close to a half volley. He only succeeds in getting a thick outside edge behind and the keeper, Jamie Smith makes no mistake. Matthew Short departs for 58 (30) and Australia are 118/2, needing another 192 from 224 balls.

FOUR! SUBLIME! On a length, outside off, Matthew Short punches this on the up, to the left of Ben Duckett at short cover and the ball beats sweeper cover to his left.

Around off, Smith gets across and tucks it through fine leg for a single.

On a good length, around off, Steven Smith pats it down the pitch.

Matthew Potts returns. 5-0-43-0 so far.

Around off, watchfully kept out. Australia are not going to take any risks against Rashid.

Fuller, arund off, driven back to the bowler.

Landed outside off, driven towards long off for a single.

Landed outside off, pushed through from the front of his hand, Smith punches it towards cover.

Fuller, outside off, driven through the covers for a single.

Immediately, some sharp spin for Rashid. Landed outside off, Matthew Short comes forward to defend but is beaten by the massive away turn.

Brook needs wickets and calls on his trump card. Adil Rashid to bowl now.

Outside off, pushed towards point.

Outside off, on a length, Steven Smith looks to defend but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads.

Outside off, stays a touch low, Short looks to cut but gets a bottom edge. The ball rolls towards point and a single is taken. 199 more needed from 236 balls.

SIX! THWACK! A 23-BALL 50 FOR MATTHEW SHORT! It has been an aggressive innings alright and once again, he has got a start. The problem with Short has been his innings, which seem to be like his name - short. Here, he has got another opportunity to make it big. Gets to the landmark with a no-look pull over mid-wicket, picking the ball from a short length outside off. It is also his maiden half century in ODIs.

Outside off, pushed through the covers for a single.

On a good length, outside off, left alone.

POWERPLAY 2 time. 4 fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle till the 40th over. Brydon Carse comes on from the end of Olly Stone. So it was a change of ends for the former.

FOUR! Full ball, down the leg side, Matthew Short flicks it to the right of short fine leg. 10 from the over, AUSTRALIA END POWERPLAY 1 ON 103/1. They need another 207 from 240 balls.

WIDE. Down the leg side, flick shot missed.

Outside off, steered towards deep third for a run.

Around off, Smith looks to push but misses. Is hit on the pads again.

FOUR! PRISTINE! Overpitched, outside off, Steven Smith comes forward and drives it to the left of mid off!

Outside off, nudged to the leg side.

A heart-in-mouth moment for Steven Smith. Fast bowlers have a memory similar to that of an elephant and Potts remembers that he has got Smith twice in this series. Comes in, bowls pretty full and targets the stumps. It comes back in a long way from outside off and raps Smith on the pads as he looks to flick. Potts straightaway goes up in an appeal for LBW and the umpire raises his finger. Smith suspects that is sliding down the leg side and has a discussion with Short and takes the review. Ball Tracker shows it to be missing leg.

Matthew Potts returns. 4-0-33-0 so far.

FOUR! MARVELLOUS! Fuller, just outside off, Short comes forward and lofts it over mid off. Harry Brook starts to trot back for the catch but then slips. Would not have mattered as the ball goes well above him.

Gets away with one there, Stone. Another short ball, outside off, Matthew Short looks to pull but misses. Unless, this is a plan from England to bowl short to Short and get him out pulling or hooking.

A length ball, outside off, the skipper gets across and works it through mid-wicket for a single.

Fuller, pushed down the ground.

Around off, much better from Stone, Smith gets forward to defend.

FOUR! 'Tch' says Michael Atherton on air, as he seems to be disgusted with that ball. Short and wide outside off, Steven Smith gets across and punches it through point.

As per Nasser Hussain on air, if the game is stopped at the 20-over mark, Australia need to be 97/1. If another wicket falls, that number will change. Olly Stone returns. 2-0-16-0 so far.

On a good length, outside off, punched straight to point. 6 runs and a wicket to get Carse up and running.

Good length, outside off, Matthew Short stokes it straight to cover.

Outside off, another edge as Smith looks to run this down to deep third. Gets a single.

FOUR! Another streaky boundary. Carse bowls this on a good length with an upright seam and generates movement. Smith is squared up as he looks to defend, thinking the ball will come in but it moves away off the seam. Takes the outside edge but flies past first slip to the deep third fence. 227 more needed from 255 balls.

WIDE. Down the leg side, left alone.

Nearly dragged on! On a good length, around off, Steven Smith looks to defend but the ball jags back in, takes the inside edge and drops down, perilously close to the stumps.

Australia's stand-in captain, Steven Smith, walks in at number 3, replacing Travis Head.

OUT! CAUGHT! And like last game, Carse strikes immediately! Well, in the 4th ODI, once Head got out, Australia fell like a pack of cards. Will it be the same case here as well? On a length, just outside off, Travis Head stayed leg side of the ball and tried to open up the off side. But he got cramped for room and aiming point, he got it directed towards cover. Simple catch for Phil Salt and England break the 78-run opening stand. Travis Head departs for a brisk 31 (26), Australia need another 232 from 257 balls.

Brydon Carse, who was impressive in the last game, has been summoned upon.

SIX! THUMP! A short ball to finish, outside off, Matthew Short pulls it with ease over mid-wicket, splitting deep square leg and deep mid-wicket. 12 from the over, 62 in the last 4!

Better from Potts, on a length, just outside off, Short pushes it towards mid off.

EDGED, FOUR! On a length, outside off, Matthew Short goes with hard hands on the drive through the covers with his feet going nowhere. The ball straightens a touch, takes the outside edge and flies to the left of short third, into the fence. 238 more needed from 260 balls.

Fired down the leg side, Travis Head misses his flick. The ball goes off his pads past the off stump towards deep third and a leg bye is taken.

Around middle and leg, pushed towards mid on.

CATCHING CHANCE, MISSED! Fuller, outside off, Matthew Short looks to heave it through the on side but is early into the shot. Gets a massive leading edge which goes straight up in the air. Adil Rashid is unable to pick the trajectory of the ball and loses the white ball against the grey background. Starts to circle under the ball and eventually, his hands don't even touch the ball when it lands and it hits him flat on his moustache. A single taken.

Around off, punched towards mid off. 20 from the over, 50 in the last 3!

FOUR! The short stuff continues. Outside off, Head rocks back and cuts it through point this time.

SIX! Short again and it is made short work of. On middle and off, Travis Head rocks back and pulls it high and handsome over long on. 248 more needed from 266 balls.

Outside off, punched straight to cover this time.

SIX! THRASH! Fuller, outside off, Head leans in onto this and lofts it nicely over mid off. Gets more height than distance but still manages to clear the ropes. 254 more needed from 268 balls.

FOUR! Not the best of starts. Short and outside off, Travis Head rocks back to cut and gets it to the left of cover. The fielder over there dives to his left and gets a hand to it, but can only parry it behind. 50-RUN OPENING STAND IS UP!

First bowling change of the run chase. Brook turns to spin pretty quickly. Will Jacks is on.

Outside off, punched straight to cover. 14 from the over, 30 in the last 2!

Better line and length, just outside off, on a good length, MS defends.

FOUR! A bit streaky again. Outside off, on a length, Matthew Short looks to punch but gets it off the outer half of the bat. It beats Adil Rashid's dive to his right at short third and later, Jacob Bethell's dive to his left from deep point.

A length ball, outside off, coming in, Matthew defends.

FOUR! Not the best of connections but Short won't mind. It is on a length, outside off, Short goes for the pull again but skews it off the inner part of the bat. Luckily for him, it runs through the gap at mid-wicket. 268 more needed from 274 balls.

SIX! TAKE THAT! That has gone many a mile. Potts goes short outside off and Matthew Short climbs all over it. Comes on the front foot, takes on the bounce and pulls it massively over mid-wicket.

Around middle, Travis looks to punch it down the ground but is beaten by the extra bounce. MIstimes it down the pitch. 16 from the over!

Fuller, around off, much better from Stone. Matthew looks to flick but is beaten by the inward movement. The ball goes off the inner half of the bat towards square leg and a single is taken.

SIX! SPANKED! No width this time but the length is short. Outside off, Short comes forward and pulls it magnificently over mid-wicket. 279 more needed from 278 balls.

FOUR! Width and Short cashes in. On a length, but wide outside off, Matthew Short gets on top of the bounce and punches it through the covers.

Down the leg side again, but this time Head misses his connection. He looks to tuck but the ball goes off his thighs towards square leg. A leg bye taken. 289 more needed from 280 balls.

FOUR! Three boundaries for Australia in the last 4 balls. Too straight from Stone, from over the wicket, Travis Head just helps it to the fine leg fence.

On off and middle, TH pushes it towards cover and takes a quick single.

FOUR! Finally Head gets bat on ball. Fuller length, outside off, Head gets on top of the bounce and punches it between point and short third. Consecutive boundaries.

FOUR LEG BYES! Down the leg side this time, Travis Head looks to tuck it away but misses. The ball hits his right thigh and scoots past the keeper, Jamie Smith, to his right, to the fine leg fence. 299 more needed from 284 balls.

Another excellent delivery. This is disciplined bowling. Not giving Australia anything. On a good length, outside off, Travis looks to tuck it away but misses. The ball hits his right thigh and rolls back on, almost hitting the leg stump! Head had no idea where the ball went.

Again, Matthew Potts tucks Head for room. He is not giving the southpaw any width and Travis is looking to make something happen. Looks to tuck this one away but it comes in big time with the seam, beats the flick and catches him on the pads.

On a good length, around off, Travis Head punches it towards cover.

Down the leg side, Travis misses his tuck. The ball goes off his pads towards short fine leg and a leg bye is taken. Good start by the English seamers.

Around off, Head punches it towards backward point.

Landed around middle, Travis Head tucks it towards short fine leg.

Big movement off the seam. Outside off, on a length, Short is not prepared for the movement at all and does not offer any shot. Then he decides to play it but is months late by the time the bat comes down, as the ball skids onto the pad and rolls towards short third. A leg bye taken but a closer look might indicate that it should have been given as a dead ball as Short did not offer a shot.

On a good length, just around off, Matthew Short defends it towards cover.

Landed around middle, Travis Head punches this behind point for a single.

Olly Stone will have the second new ball in his hand. Both teams will have DLS worksheets with them. Eoin Morgan on air informs us that if the game is stopped at 20 overs, the target for Australia is 86, if they do not lose a wicket. That will obviously increase, as and when a wicket falls.

Nips back in sharply from outside off, TH is caught in his crease as he looks to flick and is hit on the pads. A leg bye taken.

Point goes back and fine leg comes in.

A tad fuller this time, outside off, Travis is on his toes to punch it through the covers but cannot pierce the gap.

This one nips back in from a good length, good seam movement, Head is cut into half and gets a thick inside edge as he looks to defend. Almost chops it on.

Around off, Short punches it through the covers for one.

Around off, from around the wicket, on a good length again, Travis Head hops and punches this through the covers for a run. Both openers are off the mark.

On a good length, around off, Matthew Short helps it through mid-wicket and takes a quick single to get things underway.

OUT! CAUGHT! Head finishes with a 4-fer. Flighted, outside off, Adil Rashid looks to play the slog sweep but is done in by the flight. Does not quite connect cleanly and gets more height than distance. Two fielders converge, one from long on and the other from deep mid-wicket and eventually, Marnus Labuschagne takes it calmly. End of a crucial cameo from Rashid - 36 (35) and ENGLAND FINISH WITH 309 on the board.

A short ball, on middle, Olly Stone helps it through mid-wicket for a single.

The arm ball, on middle, Adil gets his bat down at the last moment to defend. 4-0-31-0 for Cooper Connolly on ODI debut.

Fuller, outside off, Olly Stone gets across and gently paddles it through fine leg for a run.

Fuller, just outside off, watchfully defended.

Outside off, pushed through the covers for a single.

FOUR! More use of those wrists! Flighted, on middle, Adil Rashid comes down the track and flicks it wide of long on. Marnus Labuschagne races across to his right, dives but cannot get there! This stand moves to 30 (28).

FOUR! 300 IS UP FOR ENGLAND! Classy shot from Adil Rashid. Tossed up delivery, outside off, Rashid comes down the track and manouvers it through the covers. Moves to 31 (31).

Another on drive which makes it 6 singles off the over. One was a leg bye.

On middle and off, pushed down to long on for one more.

On middle and leg, helped through square leg for a run. This stand is now worth 20 (23).

Around off, pushed towards long off for a single.

Down the leg side, Adil Rashid misses his flick. The ball goes towards short fine leg as Australia go up in an appeal for LBW but it is not entertained. Turning too much. A leg bye taken.

Fuller, around off, Olly Stone eases this down to long on for a single.

Travis Head returns. 5-0-22-3 so far.

A touch shorter to finish, Stone rocks back and punches it towards long off for one more.

Fuller, around off, driven back to Connolly.

Landed outside off, driven towards the bowler.

Fuller, on middle, Rashid comes down the track and looks to go big, but mistimes it towards long on for a single.

Short, outside off, Adil Rashid punches it straight to point.

Turn and bounce on the first ball. This is pitched outside off, Olly Stone looks to push but the ball pitches, bounces and then spins away, beating the outside edge and the keeper to his right. A bye taken.

Oh dear. Big gamble from Smith. He has brought on debutant Cooper Connolly to bowl the 47th over. 2-0-19-0 so far.

Down the leg side, Stone tickles it towards fine leg for another single. Decent job by Glenn Maxwell, as he finishes with figures of 10-0-49-2. Whether that is good or bad for Australia with England having 4 spinners, only time will tell.

Fuller, around middle, worked through mid-wicket for one more.

Outside off, Stone eases it through the covers for a run. Considering the situation, Australia are way too defensive, giving away easy singles. England will take that at the moment, if that can help them to bat out 50 overs.

Fuller, around off, Olly Stone gets a big stride to defend.

Fuller this time, around off, Rashid leans and drives it towards long on for a single.

Around middle, a touch short, Adil Rashid hops and turns it towards short fine leg. Wants a single but is sent back.

Landed wide outside off, AR flays this through point for a single.

Fuller, on middle, Adil flicks it through mid-wicket for a couple.

That is probably why Rashid is not farming the strike. What a shot by the number 11. On a length, around off, Olly Stone comes forward and punches this confidently through the covers. Does not want to settle with the single and turns back for two as well! Is sent back.

Interesting from Rashid. He is not looking to farm the strike, Around off, angling away, Rashid punches this through the covers and takes a run. There is a wild throw from the deep but it is backed up somewhere by Cooper Connolly on the leg side.

Around off, watchfully defended.

FOUR! Freebie from Starc. Full and wide outside off, Adil Rashid throws his bat at it and gets a thick outside edge. Deep third is very fine, almost like an extended first slip and cannot get there.

The drizzle is back. The groundstaff gets ready. Steven Smith senses the opportunity and brings back Mitchell Starc. 5-0-38-0 so far.

On middle and off, Olly Stone flicks it straight to short mid-wicket. 3 runs and a wicket from the over, Maxwell's figures read 9-0-45-2.

Olly Stone is the last man in, replacing Matthew Potts.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Another excellent catch by Josh Inglis. Just a touch slower through the air, outside off, Matthew Potts looks to play the reverse pull sort of, but is cramped for room. The ball does not quite go away with the angle, but instead, holds its line. As a result, it hits the glove and the keeper takes a wonderful catch. Potts departs for 6 (15), England, who were 202/2 at one stage, become 276/9.

Tossed up, around middle, wristed through mid on for one.

On middle and leg, helped through square leg for a run.

On leg stump, Potts looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads.

Fuller, around middle, pushed down to long on for a single.

Glenn Maxwell is back on. 8-0-42-1 so far.

Floated, outside off, Rashid comes forward and drives it towards long off for run. So Zampa ends with figures of 10-0-74-2. Not good at all by any means of his standards but from 2.5-0-44-0, it is certainly looking much better.

The floodlights gets switched on now as it has gone really dark in Bristol.

On middle and off, pushed back to the bowler.

A short ball, pulled through square leg for a run.

Yorker, around off, dug back out.

On middle, pushed down the ground towards long off for a single.

FOUR! A boundary after 51 balls! A short ball, around off, Adil Rashid goes back and pulls it over mid-wicket. Aaron Hardie runs across to his left in the deep, gets to the ball, tries to push it back while himself going out and does so. But then, before he can come back in, the ball touches the ropes.

Outside off, spinning back in, Matthew goes back and looks to punch it through the covers but is beaten big time by the spin, past the inside edge.

Fuller, around off, Potts gets down to sweep but misses and is hit on the pads. The ball rolls back and just misses the leg stump! Head appeals for LBW but it is not entertained. Impact was outside off.

And it just goes past that short leg! Around off, Rashid gets across and plays it with hard hands, past Short at short leg, to his right. A single taken.

Fuller, around off, Adil Rashid defends. There is Matthew Short present at short leg.

Overpitched on that occasion, outside off, Potts thumps it down the ground to long off for a single.

Fuller, on middle, Matthew Potts brings out the reverse sweep but cannot beat short third.

Tossed up, outside off, Potts hammers it through mid off for one more.

Fuller, drilled through mid on for a run.

On middle and off, Matthew Potts punches it towards square leg for a single.

On middle and leg, a full toss, Potts flicks it through mid-wicket who dives to his left and makes a fine stop.

Outside off, this is driven straight to cover.

Fuller, around middle, worked towards short mid-wicket.

This is the final phase of this innings. Five fielders can now be allowed outside the 30-yard circle, but Australia are sticking to just three for now.

Full, around off, watchfully blocked out. 6 runs and a wicket from the over.

On middle, nudged through mid-wicket for a single.

Matthew Potts walks in at number 10, replacing Brydon Carse.

OUT! LBW! This was a perfect offie from Head, outside off and making it spin back in. Brydon Carse looked to initially work it through the leg side but then tried to change his shot, attempting to dab it towards short third. Before this ball, Head changed his angle, switching to over the wicket. That late change of shot from Carse did not help him and caught him right in front of the sticks. Head appealed and the umpire immediately raised his finger. Carse was happy to walk off, but Rashid made him review. No help as three reds come up on Ball Tracker, with the ball projected to spin in and hit leg stump. Third wicket for Head, whose figures read 3.4-0-19-3! Carse departs for 9 (18) and England, who were 202/2 at one stage, find themselves at 260/8.

Fuller, around off, Brydon gets down and gently paddles this through fine leg. By the time Mitchell Starc can get to the ball from the deep, two runs are taken.

WIDE. Fires it down the leg side, does Head, Carse misses his flick.

On middle and leg, Adil Rashid works it through square leg for a run.

Down the leg side, Brydon Carse helps it through square leg for a single.

Outside off, punched past cover for a quick run.

Outside off, punched towards cover this time.

Fuller, around off, Carse lunges and defends.

Fuller, around off, Adil Rashid comes forward and drives it towards long off for a single.

On middle and leg, punched towards mid on.

Around off, punched towards point.

On middle and leg, helped through square leg for one more. 5 runs and a wicket from the over,  Head's figures read 3-0-14-2.

Dropped short, Brydon Carse pulls it through square leg for a single.

There are three men on the ground. Rashid pushes this towards mid off and takes Glenn Maxwell on for the single. He dives to make it into his crease while Maxwell flings himself to his right, missing the stumps by a massive margin, also landing on the ground. Steven Smith then tries to back it up from leg slip, diving to his left. A run in the end.

Fuller, down the leg side, Adil Rashid misses his flick and the ball goes off his pads towards leg slip.

Adil Rashid walks in at number 9, replacing Jacob Bethell.

OUT! STUMPED! England continue to lose wickets. Beautiful bowling from Travis Head.  He flights this through the air and draws Jacob Bethell forward on the drive. Bethell comes forward but is beaten in flight and the ball dips, pitches and then spins away. The keeper, Josh Inglis collects the ball and whips the bails off, straightaway celebrating. The decision is referred upstairs and the first replay shows that Bethell's back foot was dragged out of his crease and did come back, but was on the line when the bails were dislodged. Bethell departs for 13 (27) and England have slipped from 202/2 to 250/7.

Is that a stumping? Inglis is confident while Bethell is not so much. Yes, one replay is enough to confirm.

Around off, pushed towards cover.

2 WIDES. Down the leg side, Brydon Carse misses his flick and Josh Inglis is blinded. The batters realize late that there are runs on offer and take the single. First wide of the day, one of the rare positives for Australia with the ball. 250 UP FOR ENGLAND.

Outside off, Carse punches this through the covers. The batters take the single but Cooper Connolly returns a wild throw to the keeper, Josh Inglis, right at the base of the stumps. Inglis is forced to bend to collect and the ball rockets into his left arm, hurting him. The ball goes behind for overthrows but the backing up is good, so it costs nothing. But Inglis is in pain.

Around off, pushed back to the bowler.

On middle, pushed down to long on for a run.

Fuller, around off, Jacob Bethell defends.

Fuller, on off, pushed down to long on for a single.

Huge shout for LBW! Umpire Kumar Dharmasena stands still. That looked very close. The straighter one from Zampa, around off stump, Brydon Carse comes forward and then goes back, bringing his bat down in a hurry. The ball goes towards point and Australia go up in a hurry for the LBW appeal. Zampa reckons that it is pad first while the keeper, Josh Inglis reckons that the impact is outside off. Steven Smith does not take the review and luckily for him, it is a good call, albeit for the wrong reasons. Forget the impact, the ball never hit the pad. It was all bat!

On middle, punched down to long on for a run.

Full again, outside off, Carse looks to drive but skews it off the inner half of the bat towards short mid-wicket.

Very full, around middle, driven back to the bowler.

Comes down the track and Head sees that early. Fires it on middle stump and Brydon Carse just about gets his bat down in time to work the ball towards short mid-wicket.

Around off, this time Bethell comes forward and works it through mid on for a single.

Follows the batter with the arm, Jacob Bethell defends it in a hurry.

A short ball, around leg stump, Jacob punches it down to long on for one.

Fuller, around off, Bethell plays a crisp-looking cover drive but it is straight to the fielder.

Full, around off, punched down the ground for a run to get off the mark.

Fuller, around off, Jacob Bethell wrists it through mid-wicket for a single.

Short, outside off, punched through the covers. Good work by the fielder at sweeper cover sweeping to his left, tumbling and saving the boundary. Two runs taken.

Fuller, around middle, clipped towards short mid-wicket.

Adam Zampa returns. 5-0-54-2 so far.

Outside off, punched towards mid off. Head went for 7 on his first three balls but bounced back with a wicket.

Fuller, around middle, watchfully defended.

Brydon Carse walks in at number 8, replacing Ben Duckett. He is no mug with the bat either.

OUT! CAUGHT! Big wicket for Australia and Kate Cross on air says, 'One risk too many' for the shot played by Ben Duckett. But that is how it is. Had this cleared the ropes, we would have been praising for the launch of attack by Duckett to put Australia under pressure. After the previous six, Head tosses this up again but with a good change of pace. He slows it through the air and Duckett is out of his crease again. Tries to go over mid on but is early into the shot as he is not to the pitch of the ball. Skies it off the top edge over mid off where Josh Hazlewood runs back and takes it calmly. The entire County Ground stands up as one to applaud Duckett as he walks off for a fantastic 107 (91) and England are 238/6 after 33.4 overs. 4/36 in the last 53 balls.

SIX! SMOKED! Flighted around middle, and with mid on and mid off, that is a free hit for Duckett. Jumps out of his crease and sends it sailing over long on.

Around off, pushed back to the bowler.

Outside off, punched to deep point for a single.

DRINKS BREAK. A better passage of play for Australia since that Brook wicket. They have conceded 29/3 in the last 49 balls. But it could also be the calm before the storm. England might have slowed down a touch but they still are in a commanding position. They just need to aim to bat out their 50 overs and given the firepower, 400 could still be on. Australia have to try and pick up wickets but if they pick up Ben Duckett quickly, there could be massive damage control. Smith continues to try and search for a balm to soothe his headache, continuously rotating his bowlers. Here comes bowler number 8 - Travis Head. That leaves out Smith himself, his disciple, Marnus Labuschagne and the keeper, Josh Inglis.

Around off, Jacob punches it through point for one more.

Fuller, around leg stump, Bethell defends again, Just before this ball, Duckett walked down the pitch and advised Bethell to take it easy and not give it away. Australia might be sensing a comeback but there is plenty of time left in the game for England to still post a formidable total. Though, after previous game's 126, how much is formidable for Australia is for their batters to comprehend. Tonight, they will be batting under lights again, aided with moisture from the rainy atmosphere.

Similar ball, this time it is defended watchfully.

Full, on leg stump, Jacob Bethell pushes it to the left side of Short who stops the ball.

Comes down the track but gets out a bit too early. Short sees that and fires in a yorker and Duckett just about squeezes it through square leg for a single.

Fuller and quicker, on leg stump, Ben Duckett defends.

Fuller, outside off, pushed towards cover.

Around off, watchfully blocked out.

How has that missed the leg stump? Maxwell cannot believe it, keeper cannot believe it and not sure Bethell can believe it either. It is delivered with the arm, around middle stump, Jacob Bethell stays back to defend but the ball comes in with the arm, then turns away to beat the outside edge and just goes over the leg stump!

Fuller, around middle, watchfully defended.

SECOND ODI HUNDRED FOR BEN DUCKETT! In just 86 balls. Not a regular in white-ball cricket, Duckett has taken the opportunity in this series with both hands. It has been a fine knock as well, not allowing Australia to settle. Gets there with a gentle punch through cover for a single.

Slower through the air, outside off, fuller in length, Ben Duckett looks to push and run the ball past cover but cannot beat him.

Short, outside off, Ben punches it through the covers and sets off for a single. Moves to 99. Sweeper cover comes in and fumbles. Duckett thinks about the second but then wisely decides against it. Stays on 99.

Fuller, around off, pushed towards the bowler.

Outside off, punched towards cover for one more.

Outside off, Ben Duckett looks to defend but the ball goes off the outside edge towards short third. A run stolen.

Full, on middle, pushed back to the bowler.

Outside off, punched towards cover for a single.

Another change. Matthew Short comes on to bowl. There is a bit of drizzle in the air as well. Ian Ward on air informs us that if the play goes as per schedule, then we could be in line for a 20-over contest to be completed by 6 pm GMT.

Outside off, eased down to long off for one more.

Make that 97 as Duckett punches this short ball through point for a single.

Short ball, outside off, Duckett sits down on a knee and pulls it through square leg. Calls for two and gets them. Moves to 96 now.

Fuller, pushed through covers for a run.

Fuller, slower, outside off, Jacob Bethell lets it pass.

On off stump, punched through point for a single.

On middle, pushed towards mid off. 3 runs and a wicket from the over, Zampa's figures now read 5-0-54-2.

On middle, worked through mid-wicket for a single.

Fuller on middle, Jacob Bethell pushes it down the ground. There is some confusion as Adam Zampa starts to go to his left to stop the ball but on seeing Steven Smith move across to his right from silly mid on, stops. Meanwhile, Smith also stops and eventually has to dive, but is late as the ball goes through to long on. Smiles finally in the Australian camp, despite the situation. Bethell gets off the mark with a single.

Jacob Bethell walks in at number 7, replacing Liam Livingstone. Did not get much opportunities in the last 2 ODIs, but he is another talent for the future.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Excellent catch from the keeper. Once again, the pitch catches an England batter by surprise. Livingstone looks to follow the plan set by Brook and Duckett - that is to attack Zampa. Even before the ball is bowled, he shapes to go off side, by moving to the leg side. Zampa sees that and bowls the ball slightly wider outside off, giving no pace whatsoever, to work with. Liam Livingstone is already through his shot and as a last-minute step, tries to adjust and looks to push it away. But all he manages is a thin outside edge which is snaffled superbly by Josh Inglis. Livingstone does not even wait as Australia appeal, becoming the second batter to be dismissed for a duck in this innings. England were 202/2 at one stage - now become 216/5 after 28.3 overs.

Goes back this time and helps it past short mid-wicket, to his left for a single.

A touch short, on middle, Ben Duckett works it towards short mid-wicket.

Full again, well kept out. 4 runs and a wicket from the over, Glenn Maxwell's figures read 6-0-35-1.

Fuller, around off, watchfully defended.

Liam Livingstone comes in at number 6, replacing Jamie Smith, fresh from his 28-run assault over Starc to sign off at Lord's.

OUT! BOWLED! Out of nowhere, Maxwell gets a wicket and tell you what - Adil Rashid, Jacob Bethell, Liam Livingstone ​​​​and Will Jacks will like that from the dressing room. Nothing much special on that ball. It was pitched a tad short around middle and it seemed like Jamie Smith took it just a bit casually. He got back to defend but left a big gap between bat and pad. The ball pitched, spun in and went right through the gate to hit leg stump. Smith goes for 6 (9) and England lose 2/13 in 17 balls.

Dropped short and Jamie Smith picks the length in a trice. Pulls it over mid-wicket for a couple.

A short ball, around off, Ben Duckett rocks back and punches it through the covers, for a run.

On middle and leg, helped through mid-wicket for a single.

Much slower through the air, way too short, but BD misses out. Is beaten by the lack of pace and punches the ball straight to point. There was no one in the deep behind him.

Shorter, around off, Jamie punches this through the covers for a run.

Follows the batter down the leg side does Zampa, bowls a googly, Smith defends.

On middle and leg, Duckett works this through mid-wicket for a single. Moves to 90 (72). 50 up for Zampa, in 21 balls, though he would have preferred it with the bat instead.

FOUR! Well done, by both, Duckett and Inglis. Zampa bowls this around leg stump and Ben Duckett pre-meditates the scoop. Seeing that, the keeper, Josh Inglis also pre-meditates his movement and quickly goes to his right for the catch. But the ball whizzes past him to the fine leg fence.

Tossed up, outside off, Jamie Smith drives this to wide long off for a single.

Another short ball, around middle, spinning in, Smith backs away a long way and punches the ball down to long on for a run to get off the mark.

Shorter, around off, punched straight to cover.

Around middle and leg, a touch short, Jamie Smith goes back and works it straight to short mid-wicket.

A touch short, worked through square leg for a single.

Outside off, pushed towards cover this time.

Full, around middle, pushed towards short mid-wicket.

The player of the summer, Jamie Smith, makes his way out at number 5, replacing his skipper, Harry Brook.

OUT! CAUGHT! Stop the press, Australia have got a wicket. In fact, stop the social media as well, because Zampa has struck. After being carted around for 44 runs in 17 balls, Zampa finally gets a wicket on his 18th. Slows this one through the air and gives it a bit of flight. Harry Brook gets down for another slog sweep but this time, is done in by the flight and turn. Gets a leading edge which goes high in the air and even that carries all the way to Glenn Maxwell at long off. Brook's entertaining innings ends at 72 (52) and the 132-run stand is broken at last. England are 202/3 at the halfway mark.

Around off, punched towards cover.

Low full toss, around middle, swept through square leg for a run.

Fuller, on middle, punched down to long off, just past Zampa, for a single.

SIX! Carbon copy of Zampa's previous over. Or nearly. That was short-six, full toss-six. This time it is full-six and full toss-six. It is around off, Brook gets low and powers the sweep over mid-wicket. Australia's body language looks extremely negative with the shoulders drooping and hands in their pockets. They are being worn down by cold and this onslaught. 200 UP FOR ENGLAND ALREADY!

SIX! Welcome back into the attack, mate! Australia have already started to duck for cover. We are not even at the halfway mark and the projected score is already 502! Full, around off, Harry Brook gets down and lofts it with ease over long on! Moves to 65 (48). The stand moves to 124 from 93.

Second trial by fire for Adam Zampa. 2-0-30-0 in his first trial.

Shorter, outside off, BD rocks back and punches this in front of point for a couple. 10 from the over, Maxwell's figures read 4-0-29-0.

Quicker, around middle, this time Ben defends.

SIX! The attack continues. Flatter ball from Maxwell, on middle and leg. Ben Duckett comes forward and lofts it through the line and clears mid on with ease. The ball goes over the ropes, in fact. Duckett moves to 81 (64).

A bit of flight this time, around off, Harry Brook lunges and works it through mid-wicket for a run. The stand moves to 110 (89).

A touch short, around middle, spinning away, Duckett rocks back and punches it to the right of a diving short cover for a single.

Full and straight, no flight, Ben Duckett defends.

Full, on middle, Ben Duckett brings out the reverse sweep behind point for one.

Nicely bowled from Connolly, a little bit of drift, on middle, Harry Brook pushes it towards long on for a run.

Fuller, around off, Harry Brook works it towards short mid-wicket.

Gets across again and sweeps this behind square leg now, for a single.

FOUR! SMASH! Dropped short, around middle, Duckett gets down and across and pull-sweeps this through mid-wicket! Moves to 72 from 59 balls.

Change of ends for Cooper Connolly. Short, around middle, coming in, Ben Duckett punches it towards short cover.

FOUR! Risky but effective. This is full and straight on the stumps, which means that if Brook misses this, he is gone. But he doesn't miss and the ball goes instead. The skipper employs the reverse sweep, picks the ball from leg stump and gets it over point. THE 100-STAND IS UP IN 80 BALLS!

A short ball, around off, spinning away, Ben Duckett gets down on a knee and pulls it through mid-wicket for another single.

Quicker through the air, around off, the skipper goes back and works it through mid on for one.

Flighted outside off, Brook opens the face of his bat and guides it to short third.

On middle and leg, helped through square leg for a run.

A short ball, around off, big turn, Harry Brook looks to pull but is beaten by the spin. Mistimes the ball through mid-wicket and gets a single.

Overpitched outside off, Duckett drives this straight to wide mid off. Duckett is disgusted with himself. A meter either side of that fielder and it would have been a boundary. 12 from the over, Hardie's figures read 5-1-38-2.

Fuller, around middle, watchfully defended.

On middle and leg, helped through mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! SMASH! 50 IN 39 BALLS FOR HARRY BROOK! Third 50+ score in succession. This is no coincidence that Brook's form has coincided with Australia's dip. A length ball, around off, Harry Brook whips it miles over mid-wicket!

Outside off, flayed through cover for a single.

FOUR! Welcome back into the attack, mate! Not a bad ball at all from Hardie, just a fraction shorter from a good length. But Ben Duckett picks the length up and pulls it to the right of mid-wicket!

Smith is forced to change the bowling again. Aaron Hardie is back on. 4-1-26-2 so far.

Finally a dot ball as Brook clips this towards mid-wicket.

On middle and leg, helped through square leg for a single.

150 UP FOR ENGLAND IN 19.4 OVERS! On middle and leg, Harry Brook pushes this down the ground for a run. The stand is worth 80 (66).

Around middle, punched towards long on for a single. Duckett moves to 60 (50).

FOUR! Slightly short, outside off, Duckett picks the length very quickly and immediately rocks back. Punches it through mid off where Mitchell Starc runs across to his right and puts in a dive but misses. Seems like during the dive the impact of his elbow with the ground seems to have jarred his shoulder. He still has 5 overs left.

Full, around middle, Ben Duckett lunges to defend but the ball pitches and then turns away, squaring the batter. Takes the outside edge towards short third.

Fuller, around middle, Ben pulls it through square leg for one. Every ball of that over has been scored of - resulting in 12 runs.

FOUR MORE! Connolly over compensates and bowls a full toss on middle. Duckett gets down and unfurls the reverse sweep over point. The stand moves to 73 (61).

FOUR! 50 IN 45 BALLS FOR BEN DUCKETT! His 6th in ODIs. He is finally proving his worth in the past few games in the white-ball format. Gets to the landmark with a skip of the feet and bashing the ball over mid off.

A bit of flight, from around the wicket, on middle, Brook punches this down to long on for one more.

Fuller, outside off, Ben Duckett gets down and sweeps this behind square on the leg side for a run.

Evidence of nerves, a full toss, around middle, Harry Brook pushes it down to long on for a single.

Big moment for Cooper Connolly. The debutant has been thrown into the fire. Was ordinary in the T20Is. Against dragons breathing fire, nerves are bound to be there.

Around off, Brook punches this down to long on for another single.

On middle and leg, Duckett works it through mid-wicket for one more.

Similar ball, this time Brook gets across and nurdles it through mid-wicket for a run. Moves to 40 (33). The stand is worth 60 (54).

A touch short, outside off, spinning in, Harry Brook punches it towards cover.

Around off, well defended.

Fuller, around middle, Ben Duckett pushes this through the covers for a single.

More spin and maybe, more runs. Glenn Maxwell is being turned to.

Yorker, outside off, the skipper digs it out. 3 sixes and 3 dots in that over and Zampa has gone for 30 in his 2 overs!

SIX! This is just a flick! Zampa floats this up, around off, Brook gets under it and just lifts it over mid on. So good is the timing that the ball sails over long on!

Fuller, on middle and leg, pushed back.

SIX MORE! Zampa is still having nightmares from Lord's. He is yet to find his length and rhythm here. After a drag down on the first ball, he bowls a full toss on off and Brook is in too good a form to miss it. Gets low and slogs it massively over mid-wicket. The ball goes out of the ground, onto the car park. We think like we are going to look for a replacement ball but then it is returned. Brook moves to 33 from 27 and the 50-STAND IS UP IN 48 BALLS!

It is getting quite blustery out there, with the wind picking up.

Fuller, around off, watchfully defended.

SIX! STUPENDOUS! Zampa drags it short, outside off, turning away. Harry Brook rocks back and pulls it miles over mid-wicket!

EDGED, FOUR! Duckett smiles and so does Starc. But that is a wry one from the latter. This is not the first time that we have seen a good ball fly off the edge to the fence. Starc bowls it full, just outside off and gets it to move away. The ball takes the outside edge and flies through the vacant slip cordon to the deep third fence. Duckett moves to 43 (41) and the stand moves to 40 (44).

On a good length, around off, watchfully defended.

That came out of nowhere. On a good length, around off, Brook looks to work it to the leg side but the ball suddenly lifts, taking Harry off by surprise. His bottom hand comes off the bat and the ball spoons through mid-wicket. A run taken.

On a good length, around middle and leg, Ben Duckett works it through mid-wicket.  He takes the single and wants the second but Brook is in no mood for the same. During the Drinks break he took painkillers to subside the pain in his knee and for the time being, will be content with boundaries and singles. Not the twos or threes.

Landed outside off, Harry Brook goes right back in his crease and guides it behind point for a run.

On a length, around off, punched through the covers for a single.

DRINKS BREAK. After a brief lull during those two wickets, England have found momentum again through this Duckett-Brook partnership. The balls have stopped moving around but the deck is becoming a touch slower and the balls are holding on the surface. Set batters and partnerships would be the key for England with the batters advocated to play as late as possible. Australia, on the other hand, continue to have headaches with their bowling.

SIX! 10 from the last two balls and Zampa goes for 12 in his opener again. He was given the same welcome at Lord's as well. Tossed up, around off, Brook puts on his dancing shoes again, gets to the ball and lofts it handsomely over long on! 100 UP FOR ENGLAND after 15 overs and this stand is now worth 32 (38).

FOUR! Fast hands from Brook. Fractionally short from Zampa and Harry Brook rocks back in a flash and punches it behind point. Even on this damp outfield, the ball races away.

On middle and leg, Ben Duckett works it through mid-wicket for a run.

Flighted again, on middle, now Brook uses his feet and drives it through mid on for a single.

Around off, this is watchfully defended.

Massive turn first ball. Zampa bowls this full, around off, Harry Brook shapes up to drive the ball through the covers but is foxed by the big away spin. MIstimes the shot towards cover.

Time for spin. Adam Zampa comes on to bowl. He was carted around at Lord's. Will England target him again?

Ouch . Hobby hobbly dobbly dobbly. That has hit Harry Brook right on the knee. Almost everyone is laughing, including Ben Duckett. On a good length, around middle, Brook looked to tuck it away but missed and was hit on the knee. The ball lobbed in the air towards square leg and while Brook wanted to rest a bit, Duckett called him for a single. The single was completed in the end but Brook was in a lot of pain. A leg bye signalled.

Oohhh... lucky. Starc rolls his fingers over the ball and the English skipper is caught early into his flick. The ball takes the leading edge and lobs in the air, but wide of the bowler and lands well short of mid off.

Excellent work by Aaron Hardie. Starc goes full and Brook times it beautifully through the covers. Despite the outfield being damp, the ball still races across the turf. Hardie puts in the hard yards to his right from sweeper and dives full stretch to save the boundary. Two runs taken.

This time he goes a bit squarer, but finds backward point.

On a good length again, around middle, Harry Brook guides it towards gully.

On a good length, around off, defended from the crease.

JOS BUTTLER can be seen in the English dressing room. He is missing this series due to injury but will be a key part of England's transformation for the future. England have a challenging winter coming up, with tours to West Indies and Pakistan and Buttler's experience would be critical. The question is - whom does he replace? Phil Salt or Jamie Smith? Meanwhile, Mitchell Starc returns, with a change of ends. 3-0-28-0 so far.

On a good length, around off, Harry Brook works it through mid-wicket for one more.

Around off, punched through point for a single.

Down the leg side, Ben works it through square leg and takes a couple.

Around middle, pushed towards mid on.

Fuller, around off, watchfully defended.

A bit bizarre from Duckett. Aaron Hardie bowls it on a fuller length outside off, more like an off cutter, which lands on the seam. It pitches and then moves away big time and by then, Ben Duckett has already played a wild swipe. Misses.

On a good length, around off, the skipper pushes it towards point.

FOUR! Scooped away! Hazlewood keeps it full and just outside off, but Brook has already pre-meditated. Gets across, goes down on a knee and paddles it through the vacant leg gully region, to the fine leg fence.

Full and straight, watchfully pushed towards mid on.

Switches to around the wicket does Hazlewood and bowls length, around off, coming in with the angle. Ben Duckett tucks it through square leg, runs hard for the first, wants the second but has to be satisfied with one.

On a good length, outside off, comes in again, Brook waits for the ball to arrive and dabs it behind. There is a slip and a wide second slip. The ball beats the second fielder, goes past his dive to his right, towards deep third. A single taken and the skipper is off the mark.

Fuller, around off, coming in with the angle, Harry Brook looks to drive straight but the bat twists in his hands. The ball goes off the inner half of the bat towards mid on.

Fuller, around middle, BD blocks it with a dead bat towards mid off. Good comeback by Hardie after the boundary on his first ball.

A length ball again, around middle, Ben mistimes his pull towards mid-wicket.

Looks like Duckett is waiting for the back of a length ball. He is not moving his front foot at all. Gets a length ball, around middle and mistimes his punch, due to his feet being stuck in the crease. The ball goes towards cover.

Fuller, around off, Duckett punched straight to short extra cover.

Around off, punched to the off side.

FOUR! Lovely stroke. On a good length, around off, Ben Duckett punches this on the up to the right of mid off. Steven Smith rushes across to his right from mid off, puts in a dive but the ball keeps getting away from him and beats him. Duckett moves to 32 from 25 balls.

POWERPLAY 2 time. 4 fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle till the 40th over. It has been England's PP1, but Australia will take the finishing touches to that Powerplay. The two fielders moving out are the two sweepers, either side.

Fuller, around off, the skipper defends it out watchfully towards mid on. England are 73/2 at the end of POWERPLAY 1.

Slower from Hazlewood, on a length, outside off, Brook watchfully lets it go.

Excellent stop. Full, outside off, Harry Brook looks to drive but the ball moves away and takes the outside edge. It flies wide of second slip but Matthew Short over there dives to his right and stops the ball on the bounce.

There is a point, a cover-point and a short extra cover. Yet, Duckett threads it through the tiny gap. Outside off, on a length, Duckett hammers it between cover-point and extra cover. Cooper Connolly chases it down from one of the three positions and with the outfield damp due to overnight rain, the ball holds up. Three runs taken.

Fuller, around off, watchfully pushed towards mid off.

On a good length, around off, Ben Duckett punches it through point where Cooper Connolly misfields. Brook wants a single but is sent back.

Slightly fuller, around off, Brook swings it through square leg but the fielder over there dives to his right to make it a WICKET MAIDEN for Hardie. 2-1-18-2 for him so far.

Around off, on a length, Harry Brook defends.

Skipper Harry Brook walks in at number 4, replacing Will Jacks.

OUT! BOWLED! That is a jaffa and suddenly, Hardie has 2 wickets in 5 balls. The Western Australian goes for the scrambled seam position and is instantly rewarded. He bowls it on a length outside off and the seam wobbles in the air. Jacks does play for the inward movement but the wobbly seam causes the ball to deviate in even further. It opens up a gap between bat and pad and hits the top of off stump, like a bail trimmer. A 4-ball duck for Will Jacks. England are 70/2 after 8.4 overs.

Change in the field. Fine leg comes up and Matthew Short moves back to deep backward square leg. Gives Aaron Hardie more room for error with that short ball.

This one pitches outside off and then bounces awkwardly. Jacks is caught by surprise and ends up fending at it. The ball spoons off the top half of the bat and lands in front of short mid-wicket.

Around off, on a length, pushed away.

Change of bat for Will Jacks. Almost 5 or 6 come out. Normally these days, cricketers carry 6-7 bats in their kit bag.

On a length, outside off, coming in, Will Jacks works it towards short mid-wicket. The moment he hits it, he is not happy, muttering a few words. The camera then pans onto the bottom part of the bat with a pretty big portion having been chewed off. He signals towards the dressing room for a replacement bat.

EDGED, FOUR! Tea pots are boiling now with the first boundary of an inside edge and the last boundary of an outside edge. Australia are bowling well but yet, going at almost 9 an over. A length ball, outside off, comes in, Ben Duckett slashes hard and gets a thick outside edge. It flies straight to vacant second slip and races to the deep third fence.

FOUR! SLAUGHTERED! A length ball, outside off, Duckett whips this over mid-wicket for a fine boundary.

On a length, outside off, Ben punches it on theup towards cover.

This a tad short and Duckett straightaway latches onto the pull. But finds short mid-wicket again.

Around off, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.

FOUR! STREAKY! Hazlewood comes from around the wicket, bowls it outside off and makes it to come back in. Ben Duckett has a slash at it and gets a thick inside edge which rockets past the stumps towards fine leg.

Will Jacks walks in at number 3, replacing Phil Salt.

OUT! CAUGHT! Good catch, excellent captaincy and Hardie has the last laugh. He has gone for 18 runs in his opener but will take the wicket of Salt. After the previous boundary, Smith pushed point back and that's exactly where this ball goes. Salt charges down the track and slaps a short ball wide outside off over point. Labuschagne waits for the ball to come to him and later realizes that he has to put in a dive forward, which he does. But Salt has done his job - 45 (27) and England have the start they needed - 58/1 with 3 overs left in Powerplay 1.

FOUR! Fine shot. A length ball, outside off, Phil Salt uses the width and cuts it between backward point and short third for a boundary.

Short and wide outside off, Ben Duckett slaps it to deep point for a single.

RUN OUT CHANCE OF SALT MISSED! Supreme effort from Glenn Maxwell in the field but poor stuff from Aaron Hardie. Salt punches this fuller ball wide of mid off and set off for a single. Maxwell hared after it to his left from mid off and Salt turned blindly for the second. But Maxwell then put in a stunning dive to stop the ball, picked it up in a trice and fired a missile at the bowler's end. Duckett had precisely one second to send Salt back and got late. The throw was to the bowler but way too quick and he could not collect. Salt was not even in the frame.

SIX MORE! England have clearly made a plan. They have had a look at this Australian bowling and decided to attack the inexperienced bowlers. Not that they haven't attacked Starc or Hazlewood but they are certainly not going to allow Hardie and the rest to settle. Hardie bowls length this time, outside off and Salt swings this over mid on. The ball nearly carries all the way and hits the ropes. The umpires have a check upstairs and the replay shows the ball hitting the ropes on the full. Salt has moved to 40 (24)!

SIX! SLAP! And he straightaway makes it hard for Hardie! A short ball, around off, Phil Salt swivels a touch and pulls it magnificently over fine leg! Moves to 34 from 23 balls.

First change of the morning. Aaron Hardie comes on to bowl.

On a good length, around off, coming from around the wicket, angling it in and then moving it away, Duckett pushes but misses.

Landed outside off, punched wide of short third for a single.

Good fielding placement from Steven Smith. He has kept a fielder at short third, who is so fine that he is actually an extension of the fielder at second slip. Outside off, on a length, Salt punches it straight to that fielder.

There you go, another play and a miss. Clearly Salt is not concerned about the stat mentioned earlier. A length ball, outside off, Phil Salt backs away to the leg side and has a hack through the off side, for the obvious result.

Around middle and leg, Duckett works this through mid on for a single.

FOUR! SLAM! Well, Hazlewood may be metronomical, but Duckett won't care. Sees a ball going astray, short in length, around middle and he pulls it over mid-wicket. England piling on the pressure over Australia.

Interesting piece of statistical information from Michael Atherton on air. We have observed that Phil Salt has played and missed a lot in this series but on deliving deeper on Salt's ODI statistics in general, it turns out that 16 percent of Salt's career in ODIs has seen balls being played and missed - which is the most by an opener since his debut. Wow. But the impact he creates is massive.

Much straighter, around middle and off, Duckett pushes it towards mid on for a quick run.

Fuller and wider outside off, Ben Duckett's eyes lit up on seeing the width and he aims the full-blooded drive. But the ball moves away late and beats the outside edge.

Around off, PS pushes it wide of mid off and takes a quick single.

More luck and Australia are forced to take this situation with a pinch of 'Salt'. A fuller ball, around off, Phil looks to flick but the ball moves away, takes the leading edge and lands just over cover. Two runs taken.

SIX! Fortitious for Salt and England won't mind! Fortune favours the brave as Phil Salt charges down the track and has a wild swing to a length ball. The ball moves away from him, bounces a tad extra, takes the top edge and flies over the deep third fence!

On a good length, around off, Phil Salt looks to play at that, expecting the ball to come in. But the ball holds its shape and beats the outside edge of the hanging bat.

Fuller, straighter, Ben Duckett drives it straight back which is stopped by Hazlewood.

On a length, around off, BD punches this straight to mid off. Australia seem to have learnt their lessons from the last game. Mid on and mid off are at conventional positions for Duckett today. Throughout this series, Mitchell Marsh did not keep either a mid on or mid off as Duckett usually does not play in the 'V'. Guess Smith saw enough on Friday to change that ploy.

Slower and fuller, on middle, Ben flicks it straight to mid-wicket.

Fractionally shorter in length, outside off, angling away, Duckett punches it straight to cover.

On a good length, outside off, landing on the seam and moving away. Ben Duckett looks to push it away but then, at the last moment, seeing the away seam movement, takes his bat away.

A length ball, around middle, Phil Salt decides to charge at Hazlewood to make him change his monotonous length. But being a machine, Josh sticks to his basics and hits the length again. Salt is through his swing and gets it off the inner half of the bat through square leg. A single taken.

FOUR! That one bad ball per over mandate from Starc arrives and Duckett profits. It is a length ball, on the pads and Ben Duckett flicks it to the mid-wicket boundary.

Better from Salt. Allows the ball to come to him, after seeing it pitch on a good length around leg stump. Gently opens the face of his bat, expecting the ball to move away with the angle and guides it to deep third for a run.

On a length this time, around off, Salt punches it towards cover.

Length ball, wide outside off, Phil Salt slashes but misses.

LEADING EDGE, SAFE! Is the ball already holding up? That's what Duckett seems to be signalling to Salt. This is only the second time that international cricket has been played in the last week of September in England and hence, the pitches might be dying down. A length ball, around middle and leg, Ben Duckett looked to flick it but the ball kind of gripped on the surface and he was caught playing early. The ball took the leading edge but luckily for him, ballooned over Starc and landed well short and wide of mid on. A single taken.

Full and straight, getting that away shape to the left hander, Ben Duckett defends.

FOUR! Not convincing but will still get a boundary. Phil Salt uses his feet and seeing that Hazlewood drags his length back. It is outside off and Salt, staying leg side of the ball, slashes hard. Gets a bit of an outside edge but it is enough to take the ball over point and into the fence. Decent start from Hazlewood.

Lovely from Josh. He has bowled brilliant balls in this series but without luck and has been good only in patches. Nothing much to show in the wickets' column. He lands it on a good length around off, makes it to shape in with the angle but then gets it to move away. PS pushes at it, staying inside the line and is beaten. The ball just goes over the stumps!

On a good length, around off, Phil looks to punch it through the off side but the ball comes back in a long way, cramps him for room and takes the inside edge onto his pads.

Fuller, slower, around off, Phil Salt defends it towards mid off.

We have seen this time and time again in this series. Hazlewood comes running in, lands it in the corridor of uncertainty, asks Salt to drive, Salt obliges, only to get beaten.

Fuller, around middle, Ben Duckett pushes it through mid on for a single to get off the mark.

Will it be Josh Hazlewood with the second new ball? Indeed.

FOUR! Third boundary of the over to end a bizarre opening over! Starc had Salt in trouble for 4 balls in the over, but has still gone for 12. Salt did the basics - attack the ball in his slot and forget about the rest. This one was also in his slot, overpitched wide outside off and Salt creams it through the covers.

Full outside off, Phil looks to drive but gets beaten again.

FOUR! Fortunate for Salt, but a boundary for England. On a length, outside off, Phil Salt is not sure about the movement of the ball. He initially looks to play at that, thinking it will come in but then sees the ball shape away and tries to take the bat away. Is late and the ball runs off the toe end of the bat past a diving Steven Smith at second slip, to his right, into the deep third fence.

Fuller, outside off, Phil looks to drive again but this one shapes back in a touch. Goes off the inner half of the bat towards mid on.

Play and a miss this time. Starc holds his length back a touch, trying to get the ball move back in again but this one holds its line. Salt looks to drive again but misses.

FOUR! MAJESTIC! Well, Starc does get a bit of shape but he overpitches the ball, around off. Phil Salt comes forward and drives it beautifully through the covers. Wonderful start for Salt and England.

We are all set then, for the first ball to be bowled at 10 am GMT. 36 hours back, we had already called this a washout. Let's hope that mother nature continues being merciful on us and allows us 100 overs of good, competitive cricket. The players are on the field and have taken their positions. Phil Salt and Ben Duckett are the usual openers for England, with their willows of mass destruction in their hands. Mitchell Starc has found some swing this series and will be looking for some help from the heavens above today as well. Here he is, running in to Salt...

England's skipper, HARRY BROOK, says that he too, would have bowled first. Is eager to play this match and win the series, having come from behind. Informs that Jofra Archer is not playing this game and is replaced by Olly Stone.

Australia's stand-in captain, STEVEN SMITH, informs that Mitchell Marsh is a bit sore from the previous game, hence is being rested. Agrees that Australia are certainly looking to bounce back and aims for a good start with the new balls this morning, under cloudy conditions. Relishes the chance of playing a game similar to a knockout and hopes to give his best. On being asked about the team changes, Smith does some calculations and tries to remember all the names and barring Aaron Hardie, remembers the other two changes. Well done on that one.

England, on the other hand, have resisted the temptation to play Jofra Archer for three straight games. Archer was easily at his vintage best in the previous ODI, with his first ball to Marnus Labuschagne reminding everyone of his second ball to Labuschagne in the 2019 Ashes. The management understands that while every series is important, the bigger goal would be having Archer fit for the Champions Trophy next year. You don't want to commit the same mistake which Joe Root did in the 2019 Ashes, by overbowling Archer and thereby, nearly ruining his career.

Big day for the Connolly family. The 21-year old gets a game for Australia in the 50-over format after making his T20I debut in the previous series. Having captained the Under-19 side in the 2022 World Cup, Connolly comes across as a dashing left-hand batter who can also bowl some left-arm orthodox. In fact, his batting has been compared excessively to that of former legend Shaun Marsh and it will be interesting to see whether he can live up to that expectation. T20s are a hit and miss but his performance in the later stages of the last Big Bash edition surely show some promise for the future. Given that 50-over format allows a batter some time to settle, we might see the young lad play his natural game. All the very best to him.

Australia (Playing XI) - Travis Head, Matthew Short (IN FOR MITCHELL MARSH), Steven Smith (C), Josh Inglis (WK), Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Aaron Hardie (IN FOR ALEX CAREY), Cooper Connolly (DEBUT) (IN FOR SEAN ABBOTT), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa and Josh Hazlewood.

England (Playing XI) - Phil Salt, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Harry Brook (C), Jamie Smith (WK), Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Matthew Potts, Olly Stone (IN FOR JOFRA ARCHER) and Adil Rashid.

TOSS - Back to Bristol, the first step in having a game is done. The flip of the coin has happened and stand-in captain Steven Smith has called it correctly. AUSTRALIA ELECT TO CHASE, not surprisingly, because of the weather forecast.

Talking about the Test match between India and Bangladesh in Kanpur, while the outfield has been green as the name states - Green Park - the match has certainly been in the grey zone for spectators. With downpours and accordingly, the damp outfield being the hurdles, a washout was the result for the second day in store of that second Test. Which means that Bangladesh stand at 107/3 after 35 overs after 3 days of play. With due respect to players from both sides, it looks highly improbable that we can get a result - unless both captains sportingly decide to forfeit an innings each.

What's happening elsewhere? Sri Lanka have brushed aside a strong New Zealand fightback, registering another win at Galle - by an innings and 154 runs. 360 is certainly a good score in the third innings of a Test match in the sub-continent but the Kiwis' blink-and-you-miss 88 hurt them badly. While Kamindu Mendis and Prabath Jayasuriya continue their good form, what would have pleased Sri Lanka the most is the debut of off spinner Nishan Peiris. A tall, lanky guy, he was troubling the Kiwis with his bounce and turn and ended up with 9 wickets in the match. From the Lankans' perspective, they will hope that he is a new gem who has been discovered and stays for long, unlike an Ajantha Mendis.

Australia, on the other hand, would be definitely upset with their performance at Lord's and that is a massive understatement. They started this series without a few key players but ironically, that's when they were winning matches. And then, when those key players returned, they lost 2 in 2. They might consider Lord's as an aberration but in the 4 matches of this series so far, their bowling looked good only in the second ODI. They got away due to England's brash approach in the first game while the bowling just did not turn up in the last 2 games. Knowing the Aussies' rich cricketing history, they too would want a clinical approach in this final game because they are about to start a summer of their own - a summer projected with challenges, albeit at home - a series win in their arch rivals' territory would do nicely for the Kangaroos.

The saying goes that experience can never be taught. It has to be learnt and earned. The same has happened with this new-look England side. They were way off for the first three games, at least with the ball but that run chase in the third ODI stirred some belief in them. Come the fourth, they literally blew Australia away, first with the bat, then with the ball. One good performance does not make a side a champion team but it does increase the self-belief immensely. England have certainly learnt their best way to approach this format over the course of this series and would want another professional and clinical display to seal the series and end their summer without any series loss - remember, 3-0 to West Indies in the Tests, 2-1 against Sri Lanka in Tests again, 1-1 in the T20Is against Australia - so they have not lost a series this summer and will want to keep it that way.

Before we proceed to further details, let's try and answer the biggest question popping up - not only for today but for over the last couple of days. How's the weather in Bristol? Well, we did mention that weather forecasts keep changing over days and Bristol has been no different. On Friday, there was a 100 percent prediction of a washout for Sunday but come the morning of 29th of September, 2024, things are looking way better. There is still that rain lurking around but as per the latest forecast, it could arrive earliest by 4 pm GMT. So we could definitely have a game in our hands, albeit a shortened one. Let's hope for a game without any interruptions but first and foremost, a game for sure!

It is a series decider. And it does not get better when cricket's oldest rivals clash. May not be in the traditional whites, but it is not too disengaging from an Ashes contest either. Called as the series between the experienced and the inexperienced searching for a spot in the future, it will be fair enough to say that perhaps no one from either camp would have expected to see the series come to this stage, especially in the 50-over format. On that note, we welcome you for the fitting finale of the 5-match ODI series between England and Australia at the County Ground in Bristol.

... MATCH DAY ...