5th ODI: Australia seal up series win over England

Australia's three most talented players made significant contributions to take their team to a 49-run victory in the deciding final one-dayer against England on a chilly evening at the Rose Bowl in Southampton on Monday.

Shane Watson muscled his way to 143 from 107 balls with six sixes and captain Michael Clarke, who had been in doubt for the match because of his recurrent back trouble, contributed 75 to Australia's 298 all out off 49.1 overs.

Mitchell Johnson, who was not required for the Ashes series won 3-0 by England, then bowled with raw pace and impressive accuracy to capture two for 21 from his 10 overs on an easy-paced pitch in England's 249 all out from 48 overs.

Ravi Bopara (62) and Jos Buttler (42) added 92 for the sixth wicket before Australia wrapped up the last international of the English summer to take the series 2-1 after two games were washed out.

Left-arm fast bowler Johnson, whose Test career has been plagued by inconsistency, again regularly exceeded 145 kms (90 miles) an hour.

His speed and bounce disconcerted all the top-order England batsman throughout the series and he must have forced himself into consideration when hostilities resume in the first Ashes Test of the return series starting in Brisbane on Nov. 21.

ENG;AND INNINGS

Faulkner has perhaps struck the death blow to England rattling the stumps of Buttler. Eng 195-6.

Jos Buttler b Faulkner 42 (37b 4x4 0x6)

England lose their skipper Morgan who is stumped by Wade off Voges. Eng 103-5.

Eoin Morgan st Wade b Voges 30 (39b 3x4 0x6)

England are in deep trouble as Wright is run out by a direct hit from Bailey. Eng 68-4.   

Luke Wright run out 0 (1b 0x4 0x6)

England are in trouble as Johnson rips through the defence of Root who is bowled off an inside edge. Eng 64-3.

Joe Root b Johnson 21 (36b 0x4 0x6)

Carberry is adjudged leg before off Faulkner after Australia are successful with a decision review. Eng 50-2

Michael Carberry lbw b Faulkner 30 (50b 4x4 0x6)
 
McKay bowls a maiden to Carberry. Eng 30-1 in 9 overs.

Carberry is growing in confidence cracking McKay through midoff for another boundary. Eng 30-1 in 7 overs.
 
Carberry is living dangerously edging McKay past the slip cordon in consecutive balls to the third man boundary. Eng 22-1 in 5 overs.

Carberry hits the first boundary of the England innings clipping McKay to fine leg. Eng 9-1 in 3 overs.
 
England are off to a disastrous start as Pietersen goes for a duck run out. Eng 1-1.

Kevin Pietersen run out 0 (1b 0x4 0x6)

AUSTRALIA INNINGS

Shane Watson smashed a brilliant 143 to lead Australia to an imposing total of 298 in the deciding fifth one-day international against England in Southampton on Monday.

Watson struck six sixes and 12 fours, sharing a fourth-wicket partnership of 163 with captain Michael Clarke who made a fluent 75 after recovering from a back injury.

England fast bowler Ben Stokes claimed two early wickets to put the touring side under pressure at 48 for three but Watson and Clarke took full advantage of a typically good batting wicket.

Watson reached his eighth one-day international century, clubbing 28 runs from one Joe Root over before he edged Stokes to wicketkeeper Jos Buttler.

Stokes took two further wickets to complete figures of five for 61 and pace bowler Chris Jordan chipped in with three wickets on his debut.

The five-match series is level at 1-1 after two games were washed out.

McKay is the last man out holing out to Root off Rankin as Australia are bowled out for under 300 with five balls remaining. Aus 298 in 49.1 overs.

Clint McKay c Root b Rankin 5 (16b 0x4 0x6)

Buttler takes a good legside catch off an inside edge to dismiss Faulkner. Aus 249-9.

James Faulkner c Buttler b Jordan 10 (19b 0x4 0x6)

Ben Stokes completes an excellent spell returning figures of 10-0-61-5.

Stokes gets his fifth wickeet as Johnson chips it back. Aus 284-8 in 45 overs.

Mitchell Johnson c and b Stokes 2 (2b 0x4 0x6)

Stokes strikes getting the big wicket of Watson caught behind by Buttler for his fourth wicket. Aus 282-7.

Shane Watson c Buttler b Stokes 143 (107b 12x4 6x6)

Root goes for 28 as Watson clobbers two sixes and two boundaries in successive ball. Aus 279-6 in 18 overs.

Australia are collapsing as Voges edges Stokes. Aus 244-6.

Adam Voges c Buttler b Stokes 8 (17b 0x4 0x6)

Watson smashes consecutive boundaries off Root. Aus 242-5 in 40 overs.

Watson completes his eight ODI century by cutting Bopara for a single to third man. Aus 227-5 in 37 overs.

His hundred comes off 87 balls with eight fours and three sixes.

Bailey is out stumped off Root sweeping and missing but dragging his foot marginally out in the process. Aus 221-5

George Bailey st Buttler b Root 4 (14b 0x4 0x6)

Jordan picks up his second wicket ending a record 163-run stand for the fourth wicket between Watson and Clarke.

Rankin at midoff drops a regulation catch off Clarke but he does not last holing out to Pietersen. Aus 211-4 in 32 overs.

Michael Clarke c Pietersen b Jordan 75 (76b 10x4 1x6)

Clarke cracks a couple of boundaries off Stokes as play resumes after the drinks intervals as Australia the batting Powerplay early. Aus 202-3 in 30 overs.

Clarke is turning it on flicking Bopara for a couple of boundaries to fine leg. Aus 189-3 in 29 overs.

Clarke completes his 55th ODI half century with a single off Root. Aus 180-3 in 28 overs.

Clarke chips Tredwell to the midwicket fence. Aus 162-3 in 26 overs.

Watson slams Tredwell for his third six to bring up the 100 partnership. Aus 149-3 in 24 overs.

Watson is on fire slamming a flat six over Jordan at midwicket off Bopara. Aus 141-3 in 23 overs.

Watson attacks hoisting Tredwell for a six over mid-on followed by a boundary off successive balls. Aus 129-3 in 22 overs.

Watson complete his 30th ODI half century scoring at a run-a-ball.

Watson clips Bopara off his pads for a boundary to fine leg. Aus 106-3 in 19 overs.

Watson hits the first six of the match slamming Stokes straight back over his head to bring up the 50 partnership. Aus 100-3 in 18 overs.

Watson swings Stokes to the fine leg fence.

Watson slams Stokes through mid-on. Aus 86-3 in 16 overs.

Clarke and Watson crack a boundary apiece off Stokes. Aus 78-3 in 14 overs.

Clarke slams Stokes through square leg for a boundary. Aus 58-3 in 12 overs.

Clarke manages to deny Stokes a hat-trick after Morgan drives to Morgan at backward point while Wade gloves the first ball behind to Buttler. Aus 48-3 in 10 overs.

Double strike by Stokes after play resumes as Finch and Wade are dismissed in successive balls. Aus 48-3.

Mathew Wade c Buttler b Stokes 0 (1b 0x4 0x6)

Aaron Finch c Morgan b Stokes 26 (32b 6x4 0x6)

A shower has sent the players running back to the pavilion with Australis 48-1 in 9.3 overs and bringing on the covers.

Finch cracks Rankin uppishly to third man for another boundary. Aus 47-1 in 9 overs.

Watson gets his first boundary pulling Jordan to midwicket while Finch finishes the over with a boundary. Aus 38-1 in 8 overs.

Rankin bowls a maiden to Finch. Aus 29-1 in 7 overs.

Finch helps himself to another boundary paddling Jordan to long. Aus 29-1 in 6 overs.

Finch cracks his third this time off Rankin. Aus 23-1 in 5 overs.

Jordan gets his maiden ODI wicket as Hughes mistimes a pull and lobs an easy catch to mid-wicket. Aus 13-1

Phil Hughes c Carberry b Jordan 2 (9b 0x4 0x6)

Finch cracks a couple of boundaries of debutant Jordan. Aus 10-0 in 2 overs.

Australia have won the toss and decided to bat in overcast conditions.

England have made two changes handing a debut to Chris Jordan who comes in at the expense of Steve Finn suffering from a side strain.

Luke Wright replaces Jonathan Trott who is having back spasms.

Australian skipper Michael Clarke who was a doubtful starter has been declared fit to play.

PLAYING XI

England: M Carberry, K Pietersen, L Wright, E Morgan, R Bopara, J Buttler, B Stokes, J Root, J Tredwell, B Rankin, C Jordan

Australia: A Finch, P Hughes, S Watson, M Clarke, G Bailey, A Voges, M Wade, J Faulkner, M Johnson, Fawad Ahmed, C McKay

The toss has been delayed because of the threat of rain.

PREVIEW

Australia captain Michael Clarke could miss the fifth one-day international against England on Monday after suffering a recurrence of his chronic back problem.

The Australians had already planned to recall opener Phil Hughes in place of Shaun Marsh, who is ruled out after hurting his hamstring in the fourth one-dayer, and they may now need to replace Clarke as well.

England levelled the series at 1-1 in Cardiff on Saturday, setting up the prospect of an exciting finale, and Clarke is still hoping to play.

But coach Darren Lehmann insisted Clarke would only be allowed to play if he is fully fit for the match in Southampton.

"It's a big game. But if he's not right, we won't risk him," Lehmann said on Sunday.

"It's an important series, but we've got another one-day series against India and an Ashes series coming up."

Lehmann confirmed Hughes, who last played for Australia in the second Test at Lord's earlier in the season, is almost certain to come into the line-up given his side's injury problems.

"We'll look at the pitch but I think that's probably the way we'd go," Lehmann added.

"It gives him an opportunity. He's playing really well and working on his game, and that's all we can ask.

"He's ready to go. We hope he gets his chance and away he goes." Should Clarke be unavailable, Australia may call all-rounder Glenn Maxwell into their squad for the first time in the series, with leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed another option.

Australia have endured a disappointing tour, an early exit in the Champions Trophy followed by a 3-0 Ashes defeat and then a 1-1 draw in two Twenty20s.

But Lehmann hopes they can finish the tour on a high note by winning the 50-over series and he said: "It gets down to a grand final set-up now - which is great.

"That's what we want the players put under most of the time, although you would have loved to close out the series (in Cardiff).

"We're certainly playing the right brand of cricket. We just made a couple of elementary mistakes.

"Apart from that, we've pretty much played how we want to play. "Now the case is we want to finish on a high and get moving on."

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