Chester-le-Street: England beat Australia by six wickets to win the fourth one-day International at Chester-le-Street as they went 4-0 up in the series with one to play.

 

England, set a ground record 311 to win, finished on 314 for four after Jason Roy top-scored with 101 and fellow opener Jonny Bairstow made 79. Jos Buttler (54 not out) ended the match with 32 balls to spare when he hit a four off Michael Neser. 

 

Australia’s Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh both hit hundreds before England fought back to hold the world champions to 310 for eight in the fourth one-day International at Chester-le-Street on Thursday.  

 

The visitors, 3-0 down in this five-match series after England posted an all-time ODI record 481 for six during a 242-run win at Trent Bridge on Tuesday, were on course for a large total at 225 for one in the 40th over. 

 

But fast bowler Mark Wood took two wickets in an over on his Durham home ground before left-arm quick David Willey topped that with three wickets in the 48th over on his way to figures of four for 43.

 

Although Finch (100) and Marsh, whose 101 was his second hundred of the series, both reached three figures, neither lasted long after posting their respective centuries. 

 

Even so, Australia’s total topped the previous Riverside ODI ground record of 307 for five, made by England against New Zealand 10 years ago. It was no surprise when Australia captain Tim Paine, who fielded first at Nottingham, decided to bat when he won Thursday’s toss. 

 

Finch celebrated his return to his regular opening berth, after D’Arcy Short was dropped, by pulling the first ball of the match, a Wood long hop, for four. 

 

Finch was, however, given a reprieve on eight when a diving Alex Hales at midwicket failed to hold onto what would have been a brilliant catch following a fiercely hit pull off Wood.

 

Craig Overton, given an ODI debut after England rested fellow paceman Liam Plunkett, saw his first ball at this level — a short and wide delivery outside off stump — cut to the boundary by Travis Head. 

 

This was one of nine fours he struck in a 43-ball fifty. 

 

 

Agencies