England showed their power with the bat and ball as they levelled their ODI series with a 186-run thumping of Australia in a rain-delayed match at Lord's.

Harry Brook, Ben Duckett and a blistering batting display from Liam Livingstone sent England on their way before Matthew Potts starred with the ball in hand. 

After a relatively quiet start to the top order that saw Phil Salt (22) and Will Jacks (10) fall early, Brook quickly found his rhythm, cruising to a 37-ball half-century. 

Duckett's 63 runs from 62 deliveries, coupled with Brook (87), saw England take control, but the pair were dismissed within eight overs of each other. 

However, a late onslaught ensued when Livingstone was welcomed to the crease, notching an unbeaten 62 runs from 27 deliveries, a knock that included seven sixes, four of which came as he took 28 off the last over of the innings from Mitchell Starc.

With England ending on 312-5, Australia started their chase strongly, but the wickets of Mitchell Marsh (28), Travis Head (34) and Steve Smith (five) within four overs started the tourists' collapse. 

Australia crumbled from 68-0 to 126 all out in 24.4 overs, with Potts (4-38) doing most of the damage, with Adil Rashid (1-11) sealing the win with the wicket of Josh Hazlewood to force a decider in Bristol on Sunday. 

Data Debrief: Livingstone leads comeback

In a game that saw a number of standout performers, Livingstone's display with the bat broke ODI records for matches at Lord's. 

The Lancashire spin bowler's 25-ball half-century was the fastest seen at Lord's, while England's 12 sixes is a new record in an ODI encounter at the home of cricket. 

The triumph also saw England produce their second-highest winning margin against Australia when batting first in the ODI's, with their 242-run victory at Trent Bridge in 2018 the only game they have won by a larger gap. 

South Africa had the chance to clinch their first Rugby Championship title since 2019 last Saturday, only to be edged out by Argentina, setting up a grandstand finish.

Rassie Erasmus' side had a perfect record to that point, but that narrow 29-28 defeat now means the Pumas have a slim chance of getting their hands on the trophy for the first time.

Argentina will be backing themselves for another upset after impressing in the tournament, and they will look to overturn the odds with one more big win.  

Meanwhile, Australia will be aiming to finish their underwhelming tournament on a high, though they face another stern test against the All Blacks.

Ahead of the final round of fixtures, we look at the best Opta facts and figures to preview both games.

NEW ZEALAND V AUSTRALIA

After succumbing to the record-breaking 67-27 defeat against Argentina in the fourth round, Australia failed to turn their luck around despite a spirited fightback against New Zealand last time out.

Joe Schmidt will endeavour to finish the tournament on a high after seeing his side struggle for much of it, though they face an uphill task having won only one of their last 13 Tests against the All Blacks (D1 L11).

The Wallabies have also won only one of their last five Test matches (L4), and have lost their last two, though they have scored more points in those defeats (55) than they managed in the three Tests prior (39 – W1 D2).

New Zealand will still feel fairly confident though, having won their last eight matches against Australia, although their last two victories in that run have come by a three-point margin.

In Wellington, the All Blacks are undefeated in five Tests against their hosts (W4 D1), conceding only 10.8 points per game in that streak.

 

However, overall, they have won just one of their last seven trips to the city (D2 L4), beating France 26-13 in June 2018, going winless in their last five Tests since in Wellington (D2 L3).

It is likely that Australia will need to take advantage of any opportunity they get, with their success of stealing opposition line-outs an obvious strength.

They have won the joint-most of any team in the tournament so far (nine, level with New Zealand), though they will need to improve on the one they managed against Scott Robertson's side in the last match.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

New Zealand – Rieko Ioane

Rieko Ioane has made dominant contact on 64% of his 35 carries (18/35) in the Rugby Championship – the best rate of any player in the tournament (min. 10 carries).

He has made three line breaks across his last three Test matches, more than he logged in his seven games prior for the All Blacks (two).

Australia – Hunter Paisami

Hunter Paisami has scored three tries in his last four Test matches, including one against New Zealand last time out.

He had not crossed the try line in his 26 career appearances for the Wallabies prior to that run.

SOUTH AFRICA V ARGENTINA

South Africa had one hand on the trophy last weekend, and though they have opened the door for Argentina, they still have a great chance of winning the trophy.

The Springboks will be confident they can bounce back from that loss, having won 17 of their 18 Test matches against Argentina on home soil (L1), with their only such defeat coming back in August 2015 in Durban.

Their record in Nelspruit is even stronger, winning all four of their Tests in the city, overcoming half-time deficits in three of those victories. South Africa defeated New Zealand 26-10 in their last match there, which is their largest margin of victory at Mbombela Stadium.

However, Argentina's confidence will be sky-high after snapping an eight-match losing streak against South Africa – they have never won back-to-back games against them before.

The Pumas have also won their last two Tests against Tier One opposition, as many as they managed in their seven such fixtures before that (W2 L5). If they can beat South Africa again, they will register their longest such winning streak since the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

And Felipe Contepomi will be urging his side to maintain their high discipline level as they aim to overturn the odds.

Argentina are the only team yet to receive a red or yellow card in the tournament and have conceded the fewest penalties (50) of any team in the campaign. In fact, they have not received a red or yellow card across their last 12 Test matches.

Only a win by a bonus point, without South Africa picking up one of their own, will be enough to hand Argentina their first title, but they have scored 96 points in their last two outings, so they cannot be overlooked.

 

PLAYERS TO WATCH

South Africa – Ruan Nortje

Ruan Nortje has won 31 lineouts (including two steals) in the Rugby Championship – seven more than any other in the tournament.

In addition, he has been the first to arrive at 63 of the Springboks' rucks, the second most of any player for a team in the campaign (Carlo Tizzano – 64 for Australia).

Argentina – Mateo Carreras

Mateo Carreras has been directly involved in six tries in his last six Test matches (five tries, one try assist), including two tries and a try assist in his last two Tests.

He has scored a try in each of his two career appearances against South Africa, as well as a try assist in his most recent meeting against the Springboks.

Mitchell Marsh insists Australia have moved on from the "drama" that marred last year's Ashes Test with England, ahead of their return to Lord's.

The Baggy Greens lead England 2-1 in the ongoing ODI series heading into the fourth instalment on Friday.

It will be Australia's first visit to Lord's since unsavoury scenes involving their players and spectators ensued during the notorious Ashes Test, following Alex Carey's controversial stumping of Jonny Bairstow. 

The incident culminated in an MCC member receiving a lifetime ban, while two others were suspended for directing "abusive, offensive or inappropriate behaviour or language" towards Australia's players.

Carey has enjoyed an impressive series, hitting 74 in the second ODI at Headingley and 77 in the third in Durham, and Marsh insists his team-mates are motivated by last year's events.

When asked if there had been any discussions ahead of their return, he told reporters: "No, there hasn't. We've really moved on from that.

"I think there's always excitement playing at Lord's. It's the greatest ground in the world, bar the WACA, of course - the history and the tradition here, it's always a fantastic place to play.

"Obviously, these things happen in Ashes Test matches. There's not a series that goes by that doesn't have some sort of drama."

On Carey, he added: "I don't think [being motivated by last year's events is] in his character. But Alex certainly loves playing in England. We all do.

"The fans are always incredible, and it's always a tough challenge playing against England, so I think he's just wrapped to be back here playing for Australia."

Women’s cricket has enjoyed substantial growth in the last 15 years, and it is no coincidence that this rise has come alongside the emergence of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

While Australia may currently be the women’s game’s pre-eminent force, there is a feeling of the sport becoming more open, with nations outside of the traditional powers starting to emerge.

The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup itself has grown, a fact made clear in that just eight teams contested the first competition in England in 2009. The tournament was held simultaneously with the men’s competition, and the form of the hosts captivated a nation.

This culminated in over 12,000 attending the final at Lord's, where Charlotte Edwards’ side defeated New Zealand by six wickets to become the inaugural champions. The triumph pushed England women into the spotlight, with the same being said of Australia when they claimed the title in 2010 and how they have run with it since.

Their margin of victory over New Zealand at the Kensington Oval might have been slim (three runs), but it kicked off an era of dominance that continues to this day. Australian players such as Ellyse Perry and Meg Lanning became prized commodities off the back of the exploits at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, with teams all over the world bidding for their services.

Lanning was the top run scorer in the 2014 tournament in Bangladesh, the first in which 10 teams took part, as her country claimed their third consecutive title.

There was a new name on the trophy, however, when the competition moved to India in 2016 as the West Indies crowned their emergence as a leading nation by dethroning the Australians at Eden Gardens.

It was the first women’s final to take place on the same day as the men's, and it set the tone, with the Windies’ men going on to memorably defeat England, making the men and women from the Caribbean double world champions.

The holders then hosted in 2018 as Australia reclaimed the trophy that year, and they have not relinquished it since. Indeed, it was when they hosted in 2020 that the competition truly was taken to new heights. This was capped by the extraordinary attendance of 86,174 at the MCG—a record for a women’s cricket match—that witnessed Australia’s victory over first-time finalists, India.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 turned out to be the largest global sporting event to take place for some time, and it sticks in the memory for all the right reasons.

Its increased profile that year also brought rewards of the prize money for the winners of US$1 million, five times more than what was awarded in 2018.

That is a figure that has continued to skyrocket, with the winners of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the United Arab Emirates set to take home US$2.34 million.

Nine other countries will be taking on one of the toughest tasks in the sport, dethroning Australia, when the action gets under way on October 3.

With household names among the challengers, such as Nat Sciver-Brunt (England), Smriti Mandhana (India), and Marizanne Kapp (South Africa), set to lead the challenge for their respective nations, we are set for the most explosive competition yet.

England will take the game to Australia as they aim to turn the five-match ODI series on its head at Lord's.

Harry Brook, England's stand-in captain in Jos Buttler's absence, was the star man on Tuesday as the hosts claimed a six-wicket victory on the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method.

The rain closed in with England on 254-4 chasing down 305 to win.

Matters looked gloomy for England, however, after they lost Phil Salt and Ben Duckett in the space of four balls in the third over, but Brook, who plundered 110 not out, and Will Jacks (84) took control.

England's victory means it is now 2-1 to Australia heading into the final two matches.

"It's nice to get the first one on the board and hopefully plenty more to come," said Brook after scoring his first ODI century.

"We just have to keep doing what we said we are going to do [at Lord's] and keep being positive, take the game to them and put them under pressure.

"That should stand us in good stead.

"With the bat myself and Will just tried to build a partnership and create that platform. We didn't have much of a chat between innings.

"I thought the pitch got better towards the end of Australia's innings. It was a simple message of go out there and play your own game."

Australia looked well set to wrap up a series-clinching win when they posted 304-7 before Mitchell Starc took those early wickets.

Captain Mitchell Marsh, though, said England merited their win.

"I thought we did extremely well to get the 300 with conditions early on, a lot of seam and it was hard work," he said.

"They got a really good partnership going, and in one-day cricket with a big partnership you can set the game up for yourself, [so] fair play to them."

England beat Australia by 46 runs on the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern method to keep the great rivals' ODI series alive, with Harry Brook scoring a century.

Matters looked bleak for England as Australia set them a tough target of 305, with the tourists having reached 304-7 in their 50 overs at the crease.

Steven Smith scored 60 and Alex Carey, who starred in the second ODI as Australia took a 2-0 series lead, plundered an unbeaten 77, striking seven fours.

Indeed, Australia looked like they would cruise to another victory as Mitchell Starc sent Phil Salt packing for a duck and then dismissed Ben Duckett four balls later.

Yet Will Jacks and Brook had other ideas, putting on a third-wicket stand of 156 to put England in control.

Jacks' stand finally came to an end on 84 in the 28th over, but Brook simply picked up the slack, clipping his way to a maiden ODI ton.

With Brook, who reached 110 not out, at one end, Liam Livingstone added an unbeaten 33 to the total before the rain closed in at Chester-le-Street, but with England needing just 51 runs from 74 balls, they got over the line on DLS, leaving the series delicately poised at 2-1 to Australia heading into the final two matches.

Data Debrief: Leading by example

When Brook gets into his stride, there are not many better big hitters, and his knock on Tuesday was nothing short of spectacular. It also included 15 boundaries (13 fours, two sixes) and came at a strike rate of 117.02.

He is England's stand-in captain for this series in Jos Buttler's absence, and he certainly stepped up to the plate as Australia saw a 14-game winning streak (only two teams - Australia in 2003 and South Africa in 2005 - have ever won more successive ODIs) snapped.

Adil Rashid says he has no plans to retire "any time soon" after becoming the first English spinner to reach 200 ODI wickets. 

England are aiming to avoid a series defeat in their third ODI match against Australia after being consigned to a 68-run defeat at Headingley on Saturday to see the tourists take a 2-0 lead. 

Rashid along with Jofra Archer are the only survivors of England's 2019 World Cup-winning squad as England aim to rebuild their white-ball sides.

With captain Jos Buttler sitting out the ODI series against Australia through injury, 36-year-old Rashid is the oldest player in a fresh-faced squad by five years.

While newcomers Jacob Bethell, Jordan Cox and John Turner are taking their first steps on the international stage, Rashid remains an integral part of England's future.

Tuesday's clash in Durham will be Rashid's 138th cap for England, but the spin bowler has no plans to follow fellow spinner Moeen Ali into retirement. 

"I have not thought about it [retirement] yet," Rashid told the BBC.

"Keep playing, enjoy it, stay fit, bowl well, contribute to wins, hopefully World Cups and Champions Trophies - that is my ultimate aim.

"I have not thought about retiring or calling it a day any time soon."

Having failed in the defence of both their white-ball world titles in the past year, England are rebuilding with a view to the Champions Trophy in February. 

Both Joe Root, who was rested before next month's Test tour of Pakistan, and injured captain Jos Buttler are expected to be in England's future plans. 

However, the Headingley defeat against Australia was England's 10th in their past 14 ODIs, but Rashid insisted that they have the talent coming through to improve. 

"There have been big changes, new batters, new bowlers," Rashid said. "It will take time. It will always take time when it is a rebuilding process.

"We have got every base covered in terms of bowling, batting, keeping.

"Everything is there for us. All we have to do now is play the game of cricket, enjoy it, string a few games together of winning and then off we go."

Tony Popovic has pledged to instil a new energy into Australia's play after replacing Graham Arnold as the Socceroos' head coach.

Arnold surprisingly resigned after six years in the role on Friday, following a poor start to Australia's 2026 World Cup qualification campaign.

A 1-0 defeat at home to Bahrain and a goalless draw in Indonesia in the September international break left the Socceroos fifth in the Asian World Cup qualification standings, with only the top two finishers getting automatic spots at the 48-team tournament. 

Former Crystal Palace centre-back Popovich, who won 58 caps for Australia between 1995 and 2006, says there is enough talent available to change their fortunes.

"Coaching the Socceroos is probably a dream come true," Popovic told reporters at an introductory news conference. "I look forward to the challenge. I'm excited by it. 

"The Socceroos are in a good position. This campaign hasn't started the best, but I know there's enough time, enough games.

"The team maybe looked a little bit flat. I don't think it'll take too much to change the way we play.

"We'll do it with energy, we'll do it with desire, and do it with speed and a dynamic type of play that I think the players will enjoy."

Since moving into management, Popovich has won A-League Premiership titles with Western Sydney Wanderers and Perth Glory, also leading the former to the AFC Champions League crown in 2014.

Expectations around the Australian national team have been heightened in recent years, with the side reaching five straight World Cups and advancing to the last 16 at Qatar 2022, escaping a group that contained Denmark and Tunisia. 

"Australia needs to be qualifying for World Cups," Popovich said. "Two times in the last five, we qualified automatically, it's not easy. But should we not aim for first spot? No, we should always aim to be the best.

"What follows from that is we expect more in managing qualifiers. That's not a bad thing. Expect more from me."

Harry Brook has called for patience after his "inexperienced" England side suffered a 68-run defeat to Australia, who took a 2-0 lead in their ODI series.

The tourists were bowled out for 270, but England struggled to mount a real threat in the chase, with Phil Salt, Will Jacks, Brook, Ben Duckett and Liam Livingstone all taken inside the first 10 overs.

Though England attempted to make up for their early collapse, Mitchell Starc soon took care of the rest, with the hosts only managing 202.

And, after losing the first ODI in the series by seven wickets, Brook admitted that his side's inexperience played a part in Saturday’s defeat.

"We are a very young side. We are an inexperienced side playing against one of the best teams in the world and a new era and ilk of how we are trying to play the game," Brook said.

"It is about patience, and we are only two games in, we try and have a bit of fun as well.

"There are so many positives we can take for these two games. We have done everything we have said we were going to do.

"I think we bowled really nicely. To restrict them to 270 on that pitch, I thought we did a good job there, but we lost early wickets in the Powerplay that killed us really.

"It just hasn't gone our way."

The third match of the ODI series will take place at the Riverside Ground on Tuesday. 

Alex Carey's brilliant 74 helped Australia to a 68-run victory over England and take a 2-0 lead in their ODI series.

Australia's batters were on top of the hosts' bowling attack throughout Saturday's contest at Headingley, with Carey the standout.

Openers Travis Head and Matthew Short each scored 29, while captain Mitchell Marsh made 60 from 59 deliveries.

Marsh fell shortly after Marnus Labuschagne was dismissed, with Jacob Bethell (2-33) responsible for both of those wickets, but Carey's superb knock prevented England building up a head of steam.

Olly Stone eventually ended Carey's stand as Australia were bowled out for 270, but England's hopes were dented within 10 overs as Phil Salt, Will Jacks, Harry Brook, Ben Duckett and Liam Livingstone were all sent packing.

Jamie Smith offered some resistance with a stubborn 49, with England's tail wiggling just enough to get them over the 200 mark before Mitchell Starc (3-50) wrapped things up for Australia.

Data Debrief: Aussies dominant

Australia have won their last seven ODIs against England, which is their longest run of victories against them in the format since a streak of seven between January 2014 and September 2015.

Then again, England can be considered something of a soft touch in the 50-over game. They have now lost four of their last five ODIs.

New Zealand maintained their grip on the Bledisloe Cup with a 31-28 victory over Australia, but only after withstanding a spirited fightback from the Wallabies.

The All Blacks scored four first-half tries at the Accor Stadium, as they bounced back from their narrow defeat by South Africa last time out.

New Zealand came flying out of the blocks and were 21-0 to the good inside the opening 16 minutes, with Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane and Caleb Clarke all crossing.

Fraser McReight got Australia on the scoreboard, while Matt Faessler also went over, but Ardie Savea's converted try kept New Zealand in control at half-time at 28-14.

Damian McKenzie kicked the visitors further in front early in the second half, but Scott Robertson's side were made to cling on towards the end.

With Clarke and Anton Lienert-Brown sin-binned inside the final quarter of an hour, the Wallabies launched a late rally.

Hunter Paisami reduced the deficit, and the hosts closed the gap to a single score when Tom Wright went over in the final minute, but it proved too little too late for Joe Schmidt's side.

Data Debrief: Slipper out on his own as Savea surpasses McCaw

It was an historic day for Slipper, with the veteran prop becoming Australia's most-capped player when he ran on for his 140th Test early in the second half.

Ultimately, it proved a bittersweet day as he was forced off with a head injury just 21 minutes later, but he now stands alone on the Wallabies' all-time list.

However, the match belonged to New Zealand, who retained the Bledisloe Cup as they have done every year since 2003.

Savea created his own piece of history when he scored his 28th international try, surpassing the great Richie McCaw as the most by any All Blacks forward.

Not since 2019 have South Africa held the Rugby Championship title, but Saturday could be the day as they head to Argentina knowing victory will seal their fifth crown.

Rassie Erasmus' Springboks have been perfect in the competition thus far, making it four wins from four games with their 18-12 victory over New Zealand two weeks ago.

Standing in their way, though, are a Pumas side that have enjoyed a terrific campaign, handing Australia the heaviest defeat in their storied Test history last time out.

The Wallabies will be desperate to respond in matchweek five's other contest, and a victory over the All Blacks would help them off the bottom of the standings after a difficult campaign.

Ahead of the penultimate round of fixtures, we dive into the best Opta facts and figures to preview both games. 

AUSTRALIA V NEW ZEALAND

Australia were utterly humiliated by Argentina last time out, the game running away from them in the second half as they succumbed to a record-breaking 67-27 defeat, having earlier led by 17 points.

Joe Schmidt's team are up against it as they bid to bounce back this weekend. The Wallabies have only won one of their last 12 Tests against New Zealand, drawing one and losing 10.

The All Blacks have won each of the last seven meetings between the teams by an average margin of 17.4 points per game. The last time they enjoyed a longer winning run against their neighbours was a 10-match span between August 2008 and September 2010.

They also boast a tremendous record in Sydney, where this week's contest takes place. New Zealand have only lost one of their last 10 Tests against Australia in the city, winning the last four while averaging 44.3 points per game. 

Australia have themselves, however, won their last two Tests in Sydney, as many victories as they managed in their 15 games in the city prior to that span (two wins, one draw, 12 defeats). 

And New Zealand have not exactly been faultless on their travels lately, losing three of their last four Tests on foreign soil, including their last two – both in South Africa in this year's Rugby Championship.

If the All Blacks are to halt their miserable run on the road, their ability to create turnovers could be key. 

Their 23 turnovers won in the 2024 Rugby Championship are more than any other team, while their four tries scored from turnovers won are second only to Argentina's five.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Australia – Marika Koroibete

Koroibete has made four line breaks in this year's Rugby Championship tournament, the joint-most of any player this campaign (also Beauden Barrett, with four for New Zealand).

He has recorded at least one in each of his three games in the tournament, after making only two line breaks across his six Test matches before this year's competition began.

New Zealand – Damian McKenzie

McKenzie has made 10 break assists in the Rugby Championship this year, at least four more than any other player in the tournament. 

In addition, he has been directly involved in a try on each of his last three starting appearances in Tests against Australia (one try, two try assists) – will he haunt the Wallabies again here? 

ARGENTINA V SOUTH AFRICA 

South Africa have dominated from the off in this year's edition of the Rugby Championship, scoring 112 points but, most impressively, allowing their opponents just 58 through their four outings to date.

Another victory on Saturday would take them second in the outright charts for most Tri-Nations/Rugby Championship titles, ahead of Australia but behind New Zealand (20).

It would also bring up their outright longest winning run in the history of the Rugby Championship, at six games. History is on their side in Santiago, with the Springboks having won their last eight Tests against Argentina by an average margin of 15.4 points per game. 

They were given a scare when the teams last met in August 2023, though, trailing 10-3 at half-time before rallying to secure a 24-13 victory.

Los Pumas may need something incredible to overhaul South Africa in the standings from here, but they will be on a real high following their thumping win over Australia.

Of the last six occasions where Argentina have scored 50 or more points in a Test, they have followed up with a victory four times, including in their last two such matches.

Felipe Contepomi's team have scored a half-century of points twice in 2024, last doing so on three occasions back in 2015.

They will not expect a repeat against South Africa's fearsome defence, but they could trouble the visitors with their physicality. 

Los Pumas have scored three tries when starting their possession from a scrum in this year's Rugby Championship, as many as all the other teams combined (South Africa two, New Zealand one). 

South Africa, meanwhile, have made a habit of praying on their opponent's mistakes, making 11 kicks in play that resulted in an opposition error, more than twice as many as Argentina, who are second by that metric with five.

The Springboks have also retained possession from 26 in-play kicks, at least 15 more than any other team in the competition, with Argentina and New Zealand logging 11 apiece and Australia recording eight.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Argentina – Tomas Albornoz 

Albornoz has gained 98.4 metres per 80 minutes from his 152 minutes played in the Rugby Championship this year – the most of any player in the campaign.

South Africa – Ruan Nortje 

Nortje (26 – including two steals) and team-mate Eben Etzebeth (21, one steal) have won more lineouts (including steals) than any other players in the Rugby Championship this year. 

Travis Head's brilliant unbeaten 154 steered Australia to a dominant seven-wicket victory over England in the first one-day international at Trent Bridge.

The hosts collapsed at the end of their innings, and Head's sensational tally ensured it did not take long for Australia to reach their target, with 36 balls to spare.

Phil Salt (17) may have walked early, but England started well overall, with fellow opener Ben Duckett (95) and Will Jacks (62) pushing them forward.

However, Marnus Labuschagne (3-39) removed Duckett and then Harry Brook, captaining England for the first time, as their slide began.

Jacob Bethell took them over 300 with his 35, but Adam Zampa also took three wickets in his 100th ODI (3-49) as England finished all out for 315.

Head had a nervous moment with just six runs to his name as Brydon Carse dropped what would have been a spectacular one-handed catch, but he did not look back after that.

His knock included 20 fours and five sixes as he brought up his sixth ODI century, and with the help of Labushagne (77), he got the tourists over the line with ease.

Australia have a 1-0 lead in the series, with the next match taking place at Headingley on Saturday. 

Data Debrief: England fail to end Australia dominance

England had put themselves in a great position to end Australia's 13-match winning streak in ODIs, but ultimately struggled to defend their target.

That was mainly down to Head's superb performance. Ricky Ponting was the player with the highest score for Australia in ODIs at Trent Bridge with 126 before his impressive knock.

It was also the tourists' highest successful ODI chase in England.

England will continue to take a cautious approach to managing Jofra Archer's workload during the upcoming five-match One Day International (ODI) series against Australia. The Barbados-born fast bowler, who has been steadily reintroduced to international cricket following a series of injuries, will be closely monitored throughout the series, according to a report from ESPN Cricinfo.

Archer's return to the international stage has been managed with great care this year. After making his comeback with two T20 Internationals against Pakistan in May, he featured in all eight of England's matches during June's T20 World Cup, where he emerged as their joint-highest wicket-taker. However, since then, his playing time has been carefully limited. He did not play at all for Sussex in the latter half of the T20 Blast's group stages and was given intermittent rest periods during The Hundred, much to the frustration of Southern Brave captain James Vince.

Since The Hundred, Archer has only played two matches: a T20 Blast quarter-final for Sussex and one T20I for England against Australia, where he showcased his skill at the death by clean-bowling Sean Abbott and Xavier Bartlett in consecutive deliveries. He was rested for the second T20I in Cardiff, and the series decider was washed out by rain in Manchester. Despite these limited appearances, Archer has consistently proven why England has invested heavily in his recovery and return.

Archer is now part of England's 15-man squad for the ODI series against Australia, starting in Nottingham. However, given that he has not played a 50-over game in the last 18 months, he may be rested for one or two matches in the series. England is taking a gradual approach to increasing his workload, especially considering his long-term ambitions to return to red-ball cricket. Archer has not played a first-class match since May 2021 due to his persistent back and elbow issues.

"Jofra will have to be managed throughout the series," England captain Jos Buttler told Sky Sports on Sunday. "He's played a really good stint now of T20 cricket, but obviously you can only bowl four overs in there. There's a jump in intensity getting loads up to taking full part in an ODI - and of course, as an England fan, to push those loads up hopefully to get back into the Test arena as well."

England's interim coach, Marcus Trescothick, echoed Buttler's sentiments, emphasizing that Archer is aware of and comfortable with the long-term plan to manage his workload. "He knows the plan," Trescothick said. "It's discussed long in advance of picking the team on each day. We know what we're doing with him, and where we're going. He's comfortable: he knows what he's doing."

Trescothick further explained that managing Archer's workload is part of a broader strategy, involving coordination between the coaching staff, team directors, and medical personnel. "That's a bigger structure, in terms of what we're trying to do with Jofra. You come into the series knowing what we've got and what we can do with him. That's an agreed plan between the coaches, directors, physios, and all the different people. We'll still be managing him [in the ODIs] - exactly the same thing."

England's cautious approach to Archer's reintegration into international cricket reflects the value they place on his long-term fitness. With Archer having already shown glimpses of his match-winning capabilities, his careful management during the ODI series against Australia aims to ensure he remains a key asset for England in all formats of the game for years to come.

 

 

England's T20I series with Australia ended in a draw after Sunday's scheduled third match at Old Trafford was washed out.

Australia won the first T20I comfortably in Southampton on Wednesday, only for the hosts to level things up with a three-wicket triumph in Cardiff on Friday.

However, there was to be no decider on Sunday as heavy rain continued throughout the day in Manchester, with the match abandoned following an afternoon pitch inspection.

Both teams' attention will now switch to the first of their five ODI meetings, which is scheduled for Trent Bridge on Thursday.

England captain Jos Buttler will again be absent for the ODIs, having failed to recover from a right calf injury.

Harry Brook will lead the team in his absence, just 18 months on from his first England appearance in the format. 

After the match at Trent Bridge, the teams will face off at Headingley, Durham, Lord's and Bristol, with the final encounter taking place on September 29.

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