AUS vs ENG, 3rd ODI: In the third and final one-day international on Tuesday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia defeated a worn-out England by 221 runs to win the series 3-0. Travis Head and David Warner scored dominant centuries. England’s lengthy tour came to an end with a crushing defeat at the same venue where they won the Twenty20 World Cup earlier this month, after losing by six wickets in Adelaide and by 72 runs in Sydney. 

In a rain-shortened game reduced to 48 overs, Australia made a formidable 355-5 on the back of Head’s 152 and Warner’s 106

Their 269-run partnership was the ninth highest in 50-over cricket and the largest at the MCG. England needed 364 runs to win under a DLS-adjusted target, which they never seemed to get against a disciplined attack led by Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and spinner Adam Zampa. The match was likewise observer to an intriguing occurrence. England’s Olly Stone (4/85) bowled at Steve Smith with Australia on 324-3 after 45.2.Against the short ball, Smith endeavoured an incline scoop. As the ball got to Jos Buttler, the wicketkeeper, there was a faint edge. 

However, Smith did not walk because Paul Wilson, the umpire, did not buzz. Buttler uttered “howzzat?” After deliberating for some time before selecting the DRS. Smith was immediately ruled out as caught behind at this point by Wilson. Regarding the match, Dawid Malan was promoted to open for England alongside Jason Roy, but he was run out for two by Hazlewood. Phil Salt was sidelined for a concussion test after hitting his head while fielding. The batsmen were held to just 49-1 in the first ten overs, well below the required run rate. 

It didn’t get any easier for them. Roy was bowled out for 33 by Cummins, and Sam Billings was bowled out for seven by Cummins. James Vince hit 22 of 45 balls before Sean Abbott overcame his resistance. At the point when Zampa eliminated captain Jos Buttler (4) and Chris Woakes in progressive balls, then, at that point, Moeen Ali (18) in his next over, Britain were 95-7 and their expectations over. Zampa went 4-31 at the end.

“We tried our best, fell a long way short. Australia outplayed us in every department, But lots to be proud of. You don’t need long memories to remember the scenes here last week,”

said Buttler of the World Cup victory.

After missing the Sydney match, Buttler returned and won the toss, asking Australia to bat, only to be met with an exhibition from Head and Warner. Head solidified his position at the top of the order after Aaron Finch retired with his third one-day century and highest score, scoring off 130 balls with 16 fours and four sixes.

Head survived a missed catch on number four and was given out lbw on number nine, which he successfully challenged, in overcast and cool conditions. But as he and Warner took full control, he settled down, resulting in their second 100-run partnership in three games.

Rain stopped play for 30 minutes, but the two teams resumed where they left off, with Head rushing to his century and Chris Woakes scoring a four to reach the mark. Soon after, Warner crushed Olly Stone to the ropes and scored his 19th ODI ton.

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The persistent Stone finally ended the partnership, taking Warner and Head in the same over and ending with 4-85 after taking out Steve Smith for 21 and Mitchell Marsh for 30.