Shane Watson’s century saw Australia to a 49-run win over England in the fifth one-day international at Southampton on Monday as their lengthy tour ended with a 2-1 series victory. Watson, involved throughout in a trip that saw Australia arrive in Britain in May before their early Champions Trophy exit was followed by a 3-0 Ashes series loss, made 143 in a total of 298 all out.
Together with Australia captain Michael Clarke (75), he shared a fourth-wicket partnership of 163 on a ground where they’d both played for Hampshire after their side had slumped to 48 for three in this day/night clash. However, no other batsman made more than opener Aaron Finch’s 26 as Australia fell short of a total in excess of 300 that seemed well within their grasp.
Durham all-rounder Ben Stokes led England’s attack with five wickets for 61 runs -- the 22-year-old paceman’s maiden five-wicket haul in 10 ODI matches. England debutant Chris Jordan, in for injured fast bowler Steven Finn, took three for 47 after his first ball in international cricket was hit for four by Finch, whose last visit to this ground saw him score a Twenty20 world record 156 against England on August 29. But Australia had more than enough runs as they enjoyed a win over England ahead of the return Ashes ‘Down Under’ starting in November. England’s reply got off to a disastrous start when Kevin Pietersen was run out for nought after being slow to respond to Michael Carberry’s call.
Carberry, on his Hampshire home ground, pressed on to 30 before he was lbw to left-arm seamer James Faulkner, who took three for 38. And it wasn’t long before 50 for two became 68 for four. Joe Root (13) played on to Mitchell Johnson before Luke Wright, in for the injured Jonathan Trott, was run out for a duck. Bopara’s innings went in vain.