England v Australia ODI 5 (Ageas Bowl)

Watson hits 143 as Australia win Series 2-1

Australia 298 (49.1) beat England 249 (48) by 49 runs (Australia win ODI Series 2-1).

Australia wrapped up the ODI Series after Shane Watson hit 143 in what turned out to be match winning innings. England got off to a decent start as Stokes and Jordan reduced Australia to 48-3 in the first 10 overs. However, a 150 partnership between Watson and Clarke turned the game in favour of Australia as they reached 211-3 at the end of the 31st over. The partnership was broken when Jordan dismissed Clarke for 75 whilst Buttler compounded the misery for Australia after stumping Bailey for 4, leaving the visitors 221-5. Watson completed his century off 87 balls before getting out for 143, putting Australia in a strong position. Stokes took his fifth wicket of the innings after dismissing Johnson for 2 before Australia were all out for 298 in the last over. 
It was not the start England wanted as they chased down their challenging target as Pietersen was run out in the first over. Things only got worse as Australia reduced England to 68-4. Morgan put on a decent 30 but was stumped by Wade after walking down the wicket. Bopara and Buttler scored well in the middle order but were both dismissed in the space of two overs as England's hopes of winning started to vanish. Stokes put on a valiant stand but England were bowled out for 249 as Australia claimed a 49 run victory and won the ODI Series 2-1. 

My Opinion:

England failed to improve on a good bowling start. Australia were down to 48-3 before Watson and Clarke changed the game completely with their 150 run partnership. Watson in particular was in devastating form, smashing the ball all over the field. England showed some spirit to bowl Australia out in the end but the damage had already been done by Watson and Clarke. Another poor top order start from England cost them yet again. Pietersen, Carberry, Root and Wright all under performed and it cost England dearly. Bopara and Morgan put on a decent stand whilst Buttler could not provide another majestic batting display. The England tail end was dismissed in quick succession as Australia deservedly won the match and the series. 


Match Guide: Key Moments:

Australia won the toss and elected to bat.

Australia Innings:

(3.1): 13-1, Hughes 2 (9), caught Carberry, Jordan.
(9): 47-1, Rain stops play.
(9.4): 48-2, Finch 26 (32), 6 fours, caught Morgan, Stokes.
(9.5): 48-3, Wade 0 (1), caught Buttler, Stokes.
(11): 53-3.
(18): 100-3, 50 partnership between Watson 38* and Clarke 22*.
(22): 129-3, 50 for Watson off 49 balls.
(24): 149-3, 100 partnership between Watson 78* and Clarke 31*.
(25): 152-3, Watson 78*, Clarke 34*.
(28): 180-3, 50 for Clarke off 58 balls.
(30): 202-3, 150 partnership between Watson 89* and Clarke 72*.
(32): 211-4, Clarke 75 (76), 10 fours and 1 six, caught Pietersen, Jordan.
(35.2): 221-5, Bailey 4 (14), stumped Buttler, Root.
(37): 227-5, 100 for Watson off 87 balls.
(40.3): 244-6, Voges 8 (17), caught Buttler, Stokes.
(43): 251-6.
(44.4): 282-7, Watson 143 (107), 12 fours, 6 sixes, caught Buttler, Stokes.
(45): 284-8, Johnson 2 (2), caught and bowled by Stokes (five wicket haul).
(48.4): 294-9, Faulkner 10 (19), caught Buttler, Jordan.
(49.1): 298 all out, Mckay 5 (16), caught Root, Rankin. Ahmed 4*(2), 1 four.

England Innings:

(0.4): 1-1, Pietersen 0 (1), run out by Ahmed.
(12.5): 50-2, Carberry 30 (50), 4 fours, lbw Faulkner.
(15.5): 64-3, Root 21 (36), bowled by Johnson.
(16.5): 68-4, Wright 0 (1), run out by Bailey.
(24): 100-4.
(25.1): 103-5, Morgan 30 (39), 3 fours, stumped by Wade, Voges.
(33): 152-5.
(34): 159-5, 50 partnership between Bopara and Buttler.
(35): 165-5, 50 for Bopara. 
(38): 195-6, Buttler 42 (37), 4 fours, bowled by Faulkner.
(39.1): 197-7, Bopara 62 (66), 5 fours, caught Voges, Johnson.
(41): 201-7.
(46): 236-8, Jordan 14 (25), 1 four, caught Bailey, Watson.
(46.5): 240-9, Stokes 27 (25), 2 fours and 1 six, caught Clarke, Faulkner.
(48): 249 all out, Rankin 4 (4), bowled by Ahmed, Tredwell 5 (4), 1 four. Tredwell 5*(7), 1 four.
Australia win by 49 runs and win Series 2-1.

 Player of the Day: Shane Watson for scoring 143 runs.

Bowler of the Day: Ben Stokes for taking 5 wickets.

Batsmen of the Day: Shane Watson scored 143 runs off 107 balls.

Highlight of the Day: Shane Watson scoring his century.

Disappointment of the Day: Two golden ducks for England.

England player of the Series: Jos Buttler shone with the bat and gloves.

Australia player of the Series: Shane Watson scored valuable runs in each ODI.