So there you have it - England have avoided what would have been an equal record 10th straight loss across all formats for them. It's their first win of the tour in a full international. Yes, the series is dead, and yes, Australia have rested four of their best players, but at this point England will take anything. It was a strong batting effort that set this up, through Stokes and Buttler especially. Finch's century gave the Australians hope but four wickets to Stokes and five catches to Buttler made sure of the win for England.
With that, Australia's reign at No.1 on the ODI rankings ends after two days. They drop back down to No.2 and India by default return to No.1.
Australia's stand-in captain George Bailey says Australia struggled to control the ball with so many wides and England getting away to a quick start really hurt. "I don't think we've quite nailed down our death bowling yet," Bailey said.
Man of the Match is Ben Stokes. "We batted really well and then I thought we were really consistent and put a lot of pressure on with the ball," Stokes said. "I do love the challenge in every game against Australia, the old foe."
Alastair Cook at last gets to answer some questions about a victory. Relief? "Yeah, it's been a while since we've had this feeling. It's been a frustrating tour and we've played a long way below our potential. The good thing is we know it's there ... when you see the way people have performed today you know we're not a bad side."
That's it from the WACA. What a relief for England to finally get a win on the board. It won't be a record losing streak. It won't be 10-0 or 13-0. Now the question is can they keep it up come Adelaide on Sunday? Join us then for the final match of the ODI series, until then, from Brydon Coverdale and Andrew McGlashan it's goodbye for now.
JL Pattinson c †Buttler b Bresnan 4 (9m 9b 0x4 0x6) SR: 44.44
Bresnan gets a chance now.
END OF OVER:47 | 7 Runs | AUS: 256/9 (61 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 5.44, RRR: 20.33)
- James Pattinson4 (8b)
- Nathan Coulter-Nile5 (9b)
- Chris Jordan9-0-57-0
- Ben Stokes9-1-38-4
Jordan comes back now after Broad finishes his ten.
END OF OVER:46 | 2 Runs | AUS: 249/9 (68 runs required from 24 balls, RR: 5.41, RRR: 17.00)
- James Pattinson1 (4b)
- Nathan Coulter-Nile3 (7b)
- Ben Stokes9-1-38-4
- Stuart Broad10-0-56-2
END OF OVER:45 | 5 Runs 1 Wkt | AUS: 247/9 (70 runs required from 30 balls, RR: 5.48, RRR: 14.00)
- Nathan Coulter-Nile2 (5b)
- Stuart Broad10-0-56-2
- Ben Stokes8-1-36-4
So England are now one wicket away from their first win in a full international in this series. Yes, it's a dead rubber in the ODI series, but they'll be celebrating tonight. And so will India - an England win here will by default put them back on top of the one-day rankings.
DT Christian c Ballance b Broad 23 (48m 19b 1x4 1x6) SR: 121.05
