Inspired Glenn has the Max factor as Aussies win series
GLENN MAXWELL and Alex Carey both hit brilliant centuries as Australia won the series-deciding third one-day international against England by three wickets in another nail-biter.
Australia overhauled England’s 302 for seven with two balls to spare at Old Trafford, Mitchell Starc sweeping Adil Rashid for four to earn victory.
The tourists, despite falling to 73 for five, had appeared to be cruising after Carey and Maxwell shared a superb record sixth-wicket stand in ODIs for Australia of 212.
Maxwell, who had a let-off when Jos Buttler put down a chance, smashed seven sixes in a sparkling 108, only to be caught at short third man with 18 still needed for victory.
Carey, also reprieved after being caught off a Jofra Archer no-ball early in his innings, was then out for 106 to the final ball of the penultimate over.
But Starc came to the crease and launched Rashid’s first ball of the final over for six. Earlier, Jonny Bairstow scored a fluent century as England recovered from a dire start.
A fired-up Starc removed Jason Roy and Joe Root with the first two balls of the match, but Bairstow counterattacked to make 112.
He found a solid foil in Sam Billings, who scored 56 in a century stand for the fifth wicket, while Chris Woakes hit an unbeaten 53 as he guided the lower order through the death overs. Australia began the chase well by taking 14 off Archer’s first over but Woakes landed a big blow when he trapped Aaron Finch leg before.
Woakes then deceived Marcus Stoinis with a slower ball before Eoin Morgan changed things up by calling for Root’s part-time off-spin, a gambit which came up trumps after just five balls. David Warner, on 24, stepped away to leg and was bowled by a ball that turned appreciably. Root continued and helped himself to another wicket, Mitchell Marsh nicking into his pad to be caught behind.
When Marnus Labuschagne was run out by Billings for 20, Australia were in trouble. But Maxwell and Carey played brilliantly, rebuilding patiently before finding gaps in the field to regain the momentum.