Curran's five-for steals thrilling win for England
A shattering spell of reverse swing by Tom Curran foiled Australia's chase of a modest total as England took the one-day series 4-1
A shattering spell of reverse swing by Tom Curran foiled Australia's chase of a modest total as England took the one-day series 4-1
Scorer: @Cricket_Lama | Commentator: Alan Gardner
7.45pm: Well, that was fun. Dan Brettig's report will colour in the day for you, a Perth scorcher to finish the series. Elsewhere, the IPL auction has just about wrapped up, with Chris Gayle, the Universe Boss himself, among the late buys. Anyway, from Miller and myself, thanks for your contributions... We'll be back for more when the T20s start next weekend. Laters!
7.35pm: Presentations time, Tom Curran is Man of the Match: "Watching the boys play one-day cricket recently has been a pleasure and to come in and try and take my chance is a great feeling. I've been training hard, to come and play the first ODI at this unbelievable stadium, in front the Barmy Army... the game was unbelievable, what a finish."
Joe Root is named Player of the Series: "I think we thoroughly enjoyed these one-day games, to come back [after the Ashes] how we have shows the character in the group. We've been together for a while, the same guys around the team, clear idea of your role in the side and we have continuity and from there consistency. You've always got to think you're in the game, trying to take wickets. We weren't probably at our best but we came through. [Break now?] Yeah, won't overdo things, come back strong for NZ."
Australia captain Steven Smith: "We thought we'd pulled it back really well, but we didn't start as well with the ball, been a bit of trend. We thought it was very chaseable, but again we lost wickets in clumps and you can't do that against a quality England line-up. [Andrew Tye?] He bowled well, hit a good length and bowled his change-ups, but our batting again wasn't good enough. These lapses are happening way too often in one-day cricket. [Stadium?] It was magnificent, the crowd, the pitched played really well and the outfield was lightning, hope we'll lots more good games of cricket here. [Time for a rest?] It's been a long summer, I haven't been as good in this format, and we've been outplayed, they thoroughly deserved to win."
England captain Eoin Morgan: "Really special, I thought we'd played particularly poorly for much of the game but when we got on top we made it count. In the Adelaide game, we had them seven down, so we knew to fight to the end. There have been a lot of positives, a lot of fight through the series. The ball started going a bit reverse, that was the feedback we got from practice games, the ball chews up. Tom Curran, to bowl a spell like that, for such a young guy, it's a great sign. [Squad selection] We're spoiled for choice, guys are fighting for positions, it's a special group of players that are very talented. To win while we're learning is extra special. A huge thank you to everyone who's come today, they've been great. [Barmy Army] It's been a long few months but we always appreciate their support."
7.25pm: Well, well. A 12-run win for England gives them the series 4-1, equalling Australia's heaviest ODI defeat on home soil. Both teams found it harder and harder to score as the innings wore on, but England's adrenaline-infused first half and an Australia collapse of 6 for 58 tipped the balance. It was a thoroughly enjoyable first outing for Perth's new venue, although without the hoped-for result (from a home perspective)... And a big performance from Tom Curran, too. I wonder if there's still time for an IPL franchise to take note?
"Will we get the inflatable four fingers up for this ending?" wonders Simon. I suspect England might get a hand gesture or two...
"You asked, what has Curran got?" hoots Mahota. "Well he has got the MoM."
Robert Brown: "Good on ya Moeen Ali, now you whingers - he took 3 wickets, he's the man"
TD Paine b Curran 34 (44b 2x4 1x6) SR: 77.27
Two overs, 13 needed. Paine the man... What has Curran got?
"Might have been better for Ball to stay off the field and let Root take that over," muses Chris in Taunto. Or they could have held Ball back and hoped they didn't need him... But it's academic now
Back to a run a ball for Australia
England's matchwinner said it was frustrating to be on the sidelines earlier in the series but that it motivated him to take each chance that came his way
Australia are set to take a long, hard look at their one-day set-up after the series defeat to England showed how far they have to go ahead of the World Cup
A shattering spell of reverse swing by Tom Curran foiled Australia's chase of a modest total as England took the one-day series 4-1
International cricket will arrive at the new Perth Stadium as the one-day series draws to a close with Australia looking to narrow the margin to 3-2