At least the Aussies are still losing!

ENGLAND may be in disarray following Ben Stokes’s arrest a week ago but Ashes rivals Australia aren’t exactly in rude health themselves following a 4-1 one-day international series thrashing at the hands of India. Australia, the ODI world champions, slipped to third in the world rankings as India won the fifth match at a canter in Nagpur yesterday. Rohit Sharma smashed 125 to guide India to a seven-wicket win as they retook the No 1 berth. Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane gave the hosts a rollicking start with an opening stand of 124 as they chased 243 before Rahane was out for 61. Sharma and captain Virat Kohli (39) added 99 in their secondwicket partnership to take India to the brink of victory before both were out caught in the deep in the same over to leg-spinner Adam Zampa. Earlier Australia had failed to build on a solid start from their openers and finished on 242 for nine after winning the toss and opting to bat. David Warner top-scored with 53, while Travis Head (42) and Marcus Stoinis (46) also contributed but to no avail. Australia captain Steve Smith was magnanimous in defeat, saying: ‘It was a disappointing performance, and there’s a few things for us to look at. We just need to get the right balance. We’ve played some good cricket at times, but we’ve been outplayed and India thoroughly deserved to win.’