CHESTER-LE-STREET, England (Reuters) – A superb maiden ODI century by new captain Harry Brook led England to a dominant, rain-shortened DLS victory over Australia on Tuesday to keep the five-match series alive with two to play.
Australia, seeking a 15th successive ODI win, overcame difficult early conditions to post 304, with Steve Smith hitting a patient 60 and Aaron Hardie (44) and Alex Carey (77 not out) cutting loose in the final 10 overs.
Leading 2-0 they must have thought a series-clinching third was on the cards when England slumped to 11-2, but Brook and Will Jacks built an excellent partnership of 156 to swing it their way.
After Jacks went for 84, Liam Livingston smashed a quick unbeaten 33 as Brook moved serenely on to 110 but, on 254-4 with 51 needed from 74 balls, the rain began and England were eventually awarded a 46-run victory under a DLS calculation that had produced a revised target of 209 after their 37.4 overs.
The fourth match of the series is at Lord’s on Friday, with the last in Bristol on Sunday.
(Reporting by Mitch Phillips, editing by Toby Davis)
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