Sport

Australia beat England by eight wickets to clinch one-day series

Unbroken century stand saw them home less than halfway through their allotted overs

Australia batsmen Aaron Finch and George Bailey celebrate victory by eightwickets during the 5th Royal London One-Day International match at Old Trafford. Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images
Australia batsmen Aaron Finch and George Bailey celebrate victory by eightwickets during the 5th Royal London One-Day International match at Old Trafford. Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images
Sun Sept 13 2015 - 16:04

England’s batsmen stumbled at the final hurdle to gift Australia the Royal London one-day series and spurn the chance of an unbeaten summer.

Starting the day at 2-2 knowing one more win would ensure they ended the season having won or drawn all series in all formats against New Zealand and Australia, England lurched to an eight-wicket defeat.

They opted to bat first but only Ben Stokes (42) and Adil Rashid (35 not out) offered any resistance as the hosts slumped to 138 all out in 33 disappointing overs.

Mitch Marsh and John Hastings did most of the damage, returning combined figures of seven for 48, while Mitchell Starc forced captain Eoin Morgan to retire hurt courtesy of a nasty blow to the helmet.

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Morgan was treated for concussion and did not return, leaving James Taylor to deputise as an unbroken century stand between Aaron Finch (70no) and George Bailey (41no) saw Australia home less than halfway through their allotted overs.