Finch, Marsh prop up Oz
Chester- le- Street ( UK), June 21: Australia’s Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh both hit hundreds before England fought back to hold the world champions to 310/ 8 in the fourth oneday international at Chester- le- Street on Thursday.
The tourists, 3- 0 down in this five- match series after England posted an all- time ODI record 481 for six during a 242- run win at Trent Bridge on Tuesday, were on course for a large total at 225/ 1 in the 40th over.
But fast bowler Mark Wood took two wickets in an over on his Durham home ground before left- arm quick David Willey topped that with three wickets in the 48th over on his way to figures of 4/ 43.
Although Finch ( 100) and Marsh, whose 101 was his second hundred of the series, both reached three figures, neither lasted long after posting their respective centuries.
Even so, Australia’s total topped the previous Riverside ODI ground record of 307/ 5, made by England against New Zealand 10 years ago.
It was no surprise when Australia captain Tim Paine, who fielded first at Nottingham, decided to bat when he won Thursday’s toss.
Finch celebrated his return to his regular opening berth, after D’Arcy Short was dropped, by pulling the first ball of the match, a Wood long hop, for four.
Finch was, however, given a reprieve on eight when a diving Alex Hales at midwicket failed to hold onto what would have been a brilliant catch following a fiercely hit pull off Wood.
Craig Overton, given an ODI debut after England rested fellow paceman Liam Plunkett, saw his first ball at this level — a short and wide delivery outside off stump — cut to the boundary by Travis Head.
This was one of nine fours he struck in a 43ball fifty.
But Head got himself out on 63 when he carelessly hit a long- hop from leg- spinner Adil Rashid to Willey at deep midwicket.