David Hussey steered Australia to a four-wicket win over England in the third one-day international at the Sydney Cricket Ground yesterday.
Australia posted 215-6 to win with four overs to spare, after England scored just 214 from 48 overs — the third time in as many matches they have failed to last their full allotment of overs.
The home side take a 3-0 lead in the seven-match series, in which England are seeking a sixth consecutive one-day international series win.
The English total, which was anchored by Jonathan Trott’s unbeaten 84, never looked enough, but Australia’s top-order woes again opened the door to the tourists as they slumped to 100-5 with four of the top five failing to reach double figures.
While Brad Haddin made a half-century before throwing his wicket away to part-time seamer Paul Collingwood (2-25), Australia captain Michael Clarke’s poor run continued when he made just 9.
It was left to Hussey to steer the chase, making an unbeaten 68 from 89 balls, with support from Steve Smith (26) and John Hastings (18 not out).
Trott provided England’s only innings of substance as they attempted to avoid a third successive defeat after losses in Melbourne and Hobart.
Trott, who was involved in a disastrous mix-up that saw captain and opener Andrew Strauss run out for 23 when both batsmen ended up at the same end, did his best to hold the innings together, but lacked support.
England started poorly, with wicketkeeper Matt Prior dismissed for his second successive duck at the top of the order since being recalled to the side, trapped leg before wicket by Brett Lee.
Eoin Morgan overcame a scratchy start to make 30, but holed out to Clarke at mid-wicket from a loose delivery by part-time spinner Hussey.
Collingwood, recalled to replace the injured Kevin Pietersen (groin) again failed with the bat and was bowled by spinner Xavier Doherty for 1.
Doherty bowled impressively to finish with 2-37 and he had a third wicket canceled out on review, while man-of-the-match Lee claimed 3-27 from eight overs.
Both teams were missing key players, with Australia forced to leave out injured duo Nathan Hauritz and Shaun Tait from the team that won by 46 runs in Hobart on Friday.
Hauritz requires surgery on a dislocated shoulder suffered in the field in Hobart and is a doubt for the World Cup, while Tait has a thigh strain.
The home side recalled Doherty to replace Hauritz and promoted all-rounder Hastings.
England were also without all-rounder Tim Bresnan, whose tour has been cut short by a calf strain, but he is expected to be fit for the World Cup.
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