Series whitewash in England's sights after going 4-0 up against Australia at Chester-le-Street

England are 4-0 up in the Royal London series and completing a first ever whitewash over Australia at Old Trafford on Sunday should be a formality given the gulf in class between the two sides.

After the record breaking ballistics of Trent Bridge on Tuesday, this was a calmer, more calculating England victory by six wickets. But the ease of the win should not overshadow the achievement for this was England’s second highest successful run chase of all time and they overhauled Australia’s 311 for eight with 32 balls remaining. It was such a walloping on the longest day that the sun was still shining when Alex Hales hit the winning runs.

The ball tampering affair has ripped the spirit out of Australia  and this series has been all too easy for England ever since they, and Jason Roy in particular, found their batting groove in Cardiff.

Roy is in the form of his life and must wish the World Cup were starting tomorrow. This was his second hundred of the series, his sixth overall for England, and it was a classy, composed performance.

His opening partnership with Jonny Bairstow came about by accident but has blossomed into England’s best ever. Their 157 run stand was their sixth century partnership setting a new record for England beating five by Marcus Trescothick and Nick Knight. The difference is Roy and Bairstow have done it at blistering speed, batting together only 16 times. It took Knight and Trescothick 43 matches. 

Roy played orthodox, apart from one reverse sweep, and batted beautifully off the front foot driving through the covers, but this Australian team’s nice guy approach is going too far. Only once did their strike bowler Billy Stanlake bowl short at Roy, a bouncer that was hooked for six but uncontrolled and could have skied up anywhere. Instead it was too comfortable for Roy who was able to pick his spot with Australia clueless how to stop him.

Roy’s 100 took 81 balls and only Ashton Agar’s left arm spin gave him any real problems before he surprisingly fell to the off spin of Nathan Lyon, giving a catch to cover as he tried to hit down the ground.

Bairstow soon followed Roy caught behind for 79 off 69 balls but Paine dropped a sitter off Hales that summed up his tour. Joe Root’s 27 included a slog sweep for six off Agar before he was bowled trying to repeat the stroke and England suddenly threatened to make hard work of the run chase when Eoin Morgan was caught behind cutting hard, but Buttler powered England over the line with a typically racy  29 ball fifty.

England’s bowlers found more swing than their opponents with Mark Wood putting in his best performance of the series and even though Australia’s innings restored some pride after the mauling at Trent Bridge it was conservative, old fashioned one-day batting in which wickets were preserved for a final push that never came.

Hundreds from Shaun Marsh and Aaron Finch should have set the base for a total of 350 but both were dismissed the ball after reaching three figures, a failure to cash in that cost their team the chance to put England under serious pressure. 

They were cautious early on allowing Root to whizz through ten overs for only the second time in his ODI career without attempting to take him on. Root was on in the eighth over of the innings, Morgan cleverly changing his tactic and surprising Australia in the process by not going to either of his frontline spinners first. 

Australia’s approach to English off spin in Test cricket is to smash it hard but they paid Root far too much respect, and he only conceded two fours in his ten overs. It was the sign of a team that knows its batting lacks depth so did not have the confidence to gamble but to beat this England team you have bat at a high tempo and take on their spinners. 

Restoring Finch to the top of the order was the right move, and his sixth century against England was well crafted coming off 105 balls with only one alarm when he was dropped on eight by a diving Hales at square leg. He put Australia in sight of a commanding total but Wood’s late spell turned the momentum England’s way.

Bowling on his home ground, Wood bowled with more zip, using his short ball well and mixing up his angles. He even managed to persuade these lifeless Kookaburra to reverse swing removing Finch lbw with one that skidded on and bowling Marcus Stoinis second ball as he failed to move his feet. 

Marsh celebrated his second hundred of a series that has resurrected his one-day career, bringing it up with six off Adil Rashid but he was out the next ball he faced to a brilliant relay catch on the boundary involving Roy and Overton. 

It gave Willey  the second of his four late wickets that brought him his best figures for two years. Paine was leg before slogging and now averages 8 in the series. Surely he can;t wait for it to end.

8:59PM

ENGLAND WIN BY SIX WICKETS - ENG 314/4 (Hales 34* Buttler 54*)

Waft of the hands brings up 300 for England, off a full toss too. Six follows! No ball too from Neser. 

A free hit and Buttler goes high, caught but doesn't matter as a free hit. That's his 50. 

One to win and why get one when you can club four over extra cover? England win by six wickets.

8:55PM

OVER 44: ENG 296/4 (Hales 34* Buttler 38*)

One bye and one single. Argentina have just lost 3-0 to Croatia so that's quite funny.

8:52PM

OVER 43: ENG 294/4 (Hales 33* Buttler 38*)

Buttler in a hurry now, consecutive fours. Single and then Hales gets in on the act with a four. Heavy over for Neser. 17 needed off 42.

8:50PM

OVER 42: ENG 280/4 (Hales 29* Buttler 28*)

A fifth boundary for Buttler and it's all looking rosy for England. What a view.

8:45PM

OVER 41: ENG 274/4 (Hales 27* Buttler 24*)

Well pulled by Buttler for four at deep square leg. And he then makes it two in a row with a cutter to deep backward point. He's feeling it now, another pull to deep midwicket makes it 13 for him off the over.

8:42PM

OVER 40: ENG 260/4 (Hales 26* Buttler 11*)

Paine looking for the right bowler as Stanlake leaks six runs. England edging closer.

8:38PM

OVER 39: ENG 254/4 (Hales 24* Buttler 7*)

Hales brings up England's 250 with a single, before Buttler adds his first boundary past midwicket with a cruncher.

8:34PM

OVER 38: ENG 249/4 (Hales 23* Buttler 3*)

So England now four down and needing 62 from 72 balls as they chip away at the deficit.

8:27PM

WICKET! Morgan c Paine b Agar 15

75 off 82 required after Morgan goes reverse to find four at third man. Two more follow. And four more! Long time in the air and with a bounce he gets four at long off. Two more marks a big over for Morgan.

Wait, is he out? Morgan's not convinced, Australians up for a big appeal claiming an edge. There's definitely a spike. So that's out. He's gone! FOW 244/4

8:20PM

OVER 35: ENG 229/3 (Hales 19* Morgan 1*)

In comes the captain then, off the mark with a single. Still tons of light at Chester-le-Street.

8:16PM

WICKET! Root b Agar 27

Goes for the sweep this time and it doesn't come off! He wanted to send that to midwicket but it skips on to middle stump. FOW 228/3

8:15PM

OVER 34: ENG 226/2 (Hales 19* Root 26*)

Root punishes a poor length by Neser. England captain starting to pick up. Five from the over.

8:11PM

OVER 33: ENG 221/2 (Hales 19* Root 21*)

Slog sweep from Root goes all the way for six. We're in procession mode now.

8:07PM

OVER 32: ENG 213/2 (Hales 18* Root 14*)

Quick run rate updat.... forget that, Hales has just been put down! Paine spills one, good and proper. Wasn't short, heading for the bread basket off Neser and the captain puts it down. That was unusual.

Back to the run rate update: England are on 6.6 and they need about 5.5 - so they're well set.

Root down the ground beats the fielder for a boundary. England need 98.

8:03PM

OVER 31: ENG 206/2 (Hales 15* Root 10*)

Tiny bit of reverse coming into play. Field tighter too. Not the easiest batting conditions. Single to deep square by Root and then Hales just about gets the slower ball over the head of midwicket for four. That's England's 200.

7:59PM

OVER 30: ENG 198/2 (Hales 9* Root 8*)

Root gets caught on the abs by a Stanlake bouncer. He's 1-41 the bowler, but he's had some nice moments. Third man cuts off a loft over the cordon from Root.

7:55PM

OVER 29: ENG 197/2 (Hales 9* Root 7*)

Appeal after Hayes gets caught on the pad, but he's been safe, as this shows.

Singles for both batsmen to round the over off.

7:51PM

OVER 28: ENG 195/2 (Hales 8* Root 6*)

Short ball from Stanlake but Root steers it to safety and runs hard for two. And another two. Stanlake throwing down the odd beauty though, gets Root jumping. He's looked handy at times.

7:47PM

OVER 27: ENG 191/2 (Hales 8* Root 2*)

Thick edge from Hales gets his first boundary. 200 on the horizon.

7:43PM

OVER 26: ENG 185/2 (Hales 3* Root 1*)

Root off the mark with a cut to deep point. Even with both openers gone, England still in a very strong position.

7:39PM

WICKET! Bairstow c Paine b Stanlake 79

But he won't get on! Soft dismissal, Bairstow looking to place the edge but it's too fine and Paine dives to his right to take it. Both openers gone. FOW 183/2

7:38PM

OVER 25: ENG 183/1 (Hales 2* Bairstow 79*)

Six from that over for Bairstow, who's now eyeing a ton - 79 off 65.

7:33PM

OVER 24: ENG 176/1 (Hales 1* Bairstow 73*)

Hales in then: no lack of firepower in this top order. England almost halfway through.

7:30PM

WICKET! Roy c Marsh b Lyon 101

That's how you bring it up. A 6th hundred for Roy as he launches a six over long on, his century coming off 81 balls.

He might just let rip now... but then an outside edge follows and he's caught at short third man! What a shame, but a fine innings as Bairstow claps him off. FOW 174/1

7:27PM

OVER 23: ENG 166/0 (Roy 95* Bairstow 71*)

No boundary now for 14 balls until Bairstow perfectly places it between deep midwicket and cow corner. Seven off the over.

7:23PM

OVER 22: ENG 159/0 (Roy 92* Bairstow 66*)

Pitch really isn't doing a lot for the bowlers. Lyon's pace dropping a little as England tag on three runs.

7:20PM

OVER 21: ENG 156/0 (Roy 90* Bairstow 65*)

That's England over the 150, smashed by Roy wide of long on. Ten off the over, a little bit expensive.

7:16PM

OVER 20: ENG 146/0 (Roy 84* Bairstow 61*)

Australia get excited after Roy is struck on the back pad, but it's given not out, height cited as the issue. Three off the over.

7:08PM

OVER 19: ENG 143/0 (Roy 82* Bairstow 60*)

Nice drive down the ground by Roy, cut off though by long on running across. Good stop by extra cover, Neser, who then flings one in looking for a direct hit. Bairstow's well in, great throw though.

Hard swing from Bairstow but it only drops short of long leg, one run. Single then takes Roy to 80, then another Bairstow to 60.

Last ball was a wide, so off the extra delivery Roy adds two more. That's drinks.

7:04PM

OVER 18: ENG 134/0 (Roy 76* Bairstow 58*)

Lyon with his hands on his head after one slips through for a boundary. Still seven off the over.

7:01PM

OVER 17: ENG 127/0 (Roy 74* Bairstow 53*)

Well run for two after Bairstow knocks it past midwicket. Five from the over.

6:57PM

OVER 16: ENG 122/0 (Roy 72* Bairstow 50*)

Cries of catch off Bairstow but that's over Finch at cover. Single follows to take Bairstow to 50, his 7th in ODIs.

Well-timed reverse sweep by Roy moves him into the 70s. This is impressive, the run rate now at 7.62.

6:52PM

OVER 15: ENG 112/0 (Roy 66* Bairstow 46*)

Stanlake back in and Bairstow comes up with a fine pull short, very well played. Four.

Not the best connection by Roy but given the touch he's in, he still gets four. Another loose swing drops short of mid on.

6:48PM

OVER 14: ENG 103/0 (Roy 62* Bairstow 41*)

And there it is. England to 100 and a 100 partnership. Here's how they compare.

In the air from Roy but it's over short extra cover! Agar bowling very well. 

6:45PM

OVER 13: ENG 97/0 (Roy 60* Bairstow 37*)

Such a nice drive down the ground from Bairstow. Wonderful shot. Swing and a miss that follows is less convincing but the duo add singles to edge closer to that 100.

6:41PM

OVER 12: ENG 90/0 (Roy 58* Bairstow 32*)

Another good Agar over, only three off that one. Run rate currently well over seven though.

6:37PM

OVER 11: ENG 87/0 (Roy 56* Bairstow 31*)

Singles for Roy and Bairstow, the latter slashed to third man. Edge from Roy then beats the keeper, think that was deliberate but Paine gave it a good dive.

Fuller from Richardson (65 mph) and Bairstow beats the fielder with a cover drive.

6:32PM

OVER 10: ENG 76/0 (Roy 50* Bairstow 26*)

Next ball's a single and Roy gets another ODI 50 to his name, his third of this series. Agar looks tricky though.

6:30PM

Australia review

Left-arm spin coming into play with Agar and Australia want a review for a stumping. He's well in, not out.

6:29PM

OVER 9: ENG 75/0 (Roy 49* Bairstow 26*)

Proper strength behind that cutting drive by Bairstow. There are no fielders on the off side at present. Bairstow unable to find a way past after that first ball. Short by Richardson and Bairstow cuts that over the top for four, one bounce only.

6:25PM

OVER 8: ENG 67/0 (Roy 49* Bairstow 18*)

Well-timed, Roy off the back foot cracking a four through cover. Wasn't even that bad a ball from Lyon, just wide enough.

6:21PM

OVER 7: ENG 61/0 (Roy 43* Bairstow 18*)

And that's the 50 up already, Bairstow's third boundary. Roy looks so confident. Back-to-back fours from him move England to 61.

6:17PM

OVER 6: ENG 46/0 (Roy 33* Bairstow 13*)

Lyon on and Bairstow sends that first ball past point for four. Three more follow in the same area. Single for Roy.

6:14PM

OVER 5: ENG 38/0 (Roy 32* Bairstow 6*)

Strike back to Roy after a single. Some nice slower balls from Neser to just outfox Roy a little.

Speaking of Neser...

via GIPHY

6:11PM

OVER 4: ENG 35/0 (Roy 30* Bairstow 5*)

Huge top edge from Roy but it goes all the way! Boy that was lucky. Instead it's six. Quieter three balls follow before Roy adds two more boundaries, the first attacking the covers but the second really carefully placed between fine and long leg.

6:06PM

OVER 3: ENG 21/0 (Roy 16* Bairstow 5*)

Found this interesting. 311 would still rank as one of England's best ODI run chases.

Bairstow on the drive now, four. Neser trying to bowl as straight as possible and an inside edge off Bairstow draws some interest. Only four off the over.

6:03PM

OVER 2: ENG 17/0 (Roy 16* Bairstow 1*)

Roy going well in these early stages, a second boundary through extra cover taking him to double figures. Oh and that's delightful, four more driven to long off on the half volley.

5:58PM

OVER 1: ENG 5/0 (Roy 5* Bairstow 0*)

So the target's set at 311 for England, Bairstow and Roy look to replicate Tuesday's form. And they're right off the mark, Roy clipping Neser away to the boundary.

Single for Roy makes it five.

5:12PM

END OF INNINGS: AUS 310/8 (Lyon 3* J Richardson 5*)

Skied by Lyon but Willey can't chase over to get under it. Hard running nets two and Australia finish up on 310. Given how Australia started, that could have been better to be honest. Finch hit three-figures but the run rate was a bit slow in the late 20 overs and early 30s.

311 the target then for England and they'll attack that with relish.

Tuck into this sensational catch during the break.

5:08PM

WICKET! Paine lbw b Willey 3

The Australia captain heading back now. Umpire's call on the impact, but it was tight. Willey on a five-fer.

5:05PM

OVER 49: AUS 304/7 (Paine 3* J Richardson 2*)

Paine brings up Australia's 300. They got there! But I doubt that'll be enough the way England have been batting of late. Five off the over.

5:01PM

OVER 48: AUS 299/7 (Paine 1* J Richardson 0*)

Eventful over that. Two to go with Australia on 299.

4:58PM

WICKET! Neser c Buttler b Willey 2

Edged and gone. Buttler barely moved as Neser departs after two balls. FOW 299/7

4:55PM

WICKET! Marsh c Overton b Willey 101

Wonderful fielding. Marsh clubs another one but this time it won't beat the rope. Roy out there cleverly takes it and throws it back infield to a waiting Overton. Excellent. Fair play to Marsh as well whose knock was thoroughly entertaining. FOW 296/6

4:53PM

WICKET! Carey c Overton b Willey 6

That's not got the legs, Carey departing for six. Marsh needs a new partner. FOW 296/5

4:52PM

OVER 47: AUS 296/4 (Carey 6* Marsh 101*)

Wide from Rashid to start. And then Marsh bludgeons a really pleasant six to cow corner. Two boundaries follow and that's a big over, getting 100 with another six! Huge knock, his 5th ODI hundred from 91 balls. 25 off the over.

4:47PM

OVER 46: AUS 271/4 (Carey 6* Marsh 81*)

Oh that's nice from Marsh, cracks a six over the sightscreen. Doing what he can now, there's a leg bye. Skews one off the edge of his bat from the slower ball but it drops safe, only a single.

Really nice scoop over fine leg to end by Carey. Four overs to go.

4:41PM

OVER 45: AUS 258/4 (Carey 1* Marsh 70*)

Carey the new batsman in and he gets off the mark. Then a very big shout for an lbw on Carey and Morgan wants to have a look. Initially, looks good... but it's umpire's call! Mighty close, hinged on the on-field call and to be honest it looks as though it's hitting. Anyway, on we go.

4:39PM

WICKET! Agar c Buttler b Rashid 18

Googly, edge, back to the pavilion. Agar troops off after 19 off 15 - he'd just thumped a four. FOW 256/4

4:37PM

OVER 44: AUS 252/3 (Agar 14* Marsh 69*)

Agar getting a little wild with a top edge after Marsh piles up three. There's the 250 for Australia. Run rate sitting on 5.73. Extras have been rare and that leg bye takes the total to five.

4:32PM

OVER 43: AUS 242/3 (Agar 9* Marsh 65*)

 Shout for a stumping after a Rashid googly but Marsh is fine. Agar adds four to end an over.

4:27PM

OVER 42: AUS 234/3 (Agar 4* Marsh 62*)

Wood on top here, leaking only three off that over. Eight left for Australia, what can they come up with...

4:22PM

OVER 41: AUS 232/3 (Agar 3* Marsh 61*)

Marsh doesn't look very happy with his running, slight hobble. Four off the over.

4:19PM

OVER 40: AUS 228/3 (Agar 1* Marsh 59*)

Local lad Wood understandably very happy after those breakthroughs. Agar moved up to five and he cuts a single to deep backward point.

4:18PM

Video of that Finch lbw

4:16PM

WICKET! Stoinis b Wood 1

Oh that's lovely. Stoinis hangs back and Wood gets him in a right bother, keeping low and scattering the bails. Two wickets in five balls for Wood. FOW 227/3

4:11PM

WICKET! Finch lbw b Wood 100

Straight, low and Finch attempting to work it square is caught plum! LBW for Wood and Finch departs with 100 off 106. 225/2

4:10PM

OVER 39: AUS 225/1 (Finch 100* Marsh 58*)

Ali bowls and that's huge from Marsh, a six hit way over mid on. That's his 50. Two for Finch and then a single takes him to his 11th hundred in 92 ODIs, six against England. Well batted. Marsh finishes a good over with a four.

4:07PM

OVER 38: AUS 211/1 (Finch 97* Marsh 47*)

Finch has to stay at the top of the order surely. 97 off 103 isn't explosive but he's picked up in the last few overs, closing in on that 100. Slight tickle gets him a boundary.

4:02PM

OVER 37: AUS 203/1 (Finch 92* Marsh 44*)

There's the 200 for Australia, and then the 100 partnership too off 106 balls. 

4:00PM

OVER 36: AUS 199/1 (Finch 90* Marsh 42*)

Finch (finally) starting to motor. Through midwicket for four and then a big old heave of a six over deep square leg, punishing Overton. Marsh also adds two.

3:56PM

OVER 35: AUS 186/1 (Finch 79* Marsh 40*)

More sweeping by Marsh, who hits the 40 mark with a boundary. Eight from the over and we're closing in (I expect) on some explosive batting.

3:52PM

OVER 34: AUS 178/1 (Finch 77* Marsh 34*)

Three by Marsh and then Finch with a bounce adds four down at long off. Australia take ten off that over.

3:49PM

OVER 33: AUS 168/1 (Finch 70* Marsh 31*)

Just the three off Ali from that over. Australia; you've lulled me into thinking 300's not happening. Prove me wrong.

3:47PM

OVER 32: AUS 165/1 (Finch 69* Marsh 29*)

Chance of a run out going for the two but Finch looks well in... and he is. If that bat's down? Seems to be. Eight from that over.

3:41PM

OVER 31: AUS 157/1 (Finch 63* Marsh 27*)

Starting to think Australia will do well to get 300. Run rate's hovering around 5.00 to 5.10. Four from that over.

3:39PM

OVER 30: AUS 153/1 (Finch 60* Marsh 26*)

Umpires and Morgan have a quick chat about the ball. It's not going anywhere though. Singles apiece.

3:35PM

OVER 29: AUS 151/1 (Finch 59* Marsh 25*)

Billings with a good stop in the field out at deep cover, keeps that to two. Two late singles take Australia over 150 and also bring up the 50 partnership.

3:32PM

OVER 28: AUS 145/1 (Finch 58* Marsh 20*)

Fairly controlled from Rashid and then he gets walloped off the last by Finch towards long on. Flighted and he scooped it up and away, his second big six in that area. Ali coming on for Root.

3:31PM

OVER 27: AUS 136/1 (Finch 51* Marsh 18*)

Marsh adds three and that's the end of Root's stint, which has gone quite well to be honest: 10-0-44-0.

3:30PM

OVER 26: AUS 133/1 (Finch 51* Marsh 15*)

Couple off the latest over by Rashid, growing in confidence. Run rate dipping.

3:26PM

OVER 25: AUS 131/1 (Finch 50* Marsh 14*)

There's 50 for Finch, who's taken the initiative with the batting since Head departed. 51 off 66 is tame (for him).

3:22PM

OVER 24: AUS 128/1 (Finch 48* Marsh 13*)

There's some sweet action. Finch reads the googly and cracks Rashid over long on for six. Delightful.

3:19PM

OVER 23: AUS 120/1 (Finch 41* Marsh 12*)

That four in the last over was a bit of a rarity - lots of singles for Australia, just chipping away to get seven from the over.

3:17PM

OVER 22: AUS 113/1 (Finch 38* Marsh 9*)

Marsh goes for the sweep and beats the field for four. Root hanging around, come back for his eighth over.

3:15PM

OVER 21: AUS 107/1 (Finch 37* Marsh 4*)

Root continues, two off that over. Singles. Run rate is a touch over five an over.

3:13PM

OVER 20: AUS 105/1 (Finch 36* Marsh 3*)

Gully almost snaffles another catch but can't hold on. Three for Shaun Marsh then as he comes in to get Finch going again.

3:11PM

WICKET! Head c Willey b Rashid 63

A breakthrough! Head furious with himself as he claps one to the man at long on, easy as you like. A good 63 but he was on track for more. FOW 101/1

3:08PM

OVER 19: AUS 101/0 (Finch 35* Head 63*)

That's a bit more expensive for Root, giving up nine. Finch knew a stumping chance was coming and took advantage with a well-taken four.

3:05PM

OVER 18: AUS 92/0 (Finch 29* Head 60*)

Two apiece for the batsmen against Rashid. Finch and Head about to face Root again - surely now is the time to go after him?

3:00PM

OVER 17: AUS 88/0 (Finch 27* Head 58*)

Root's shift comes to an end. Rashid and Ali don't forget also in this bowling line-up. Two runs and a leg bye. Speaking of Rashid, he's in next.

2:58PM

OVER 16: AUS 85/0 (Finch 25* Head 57*)

Single from Finch through the leg side. Both batsmen then add a single apiece. Lulling slightly.

2:56PM

OVER 15: AUS 82/0 (Finch 23* Head 56*)

Root flies through that over, giving up only three. 

2:52PM

OVER 14: AUS 79/0 (Finch 21* Head 55*)

Two doubles for Head, to deep midwicket and deep square leg. Overton improving with each over.

2:48PM

OVER 13: AUS 75/0 (Finch 21* Head 51*)

Rotating the strike and that's 50 for Head off 43 balls. Started slower but has quickly taken the batting lead from Finch, and he needs to kick on from there.

Four from the over, Root on 0-14 and going well.

2:46PM

OVER 12: AUS 70/0 (Finch 19* Head 48*)

Five runs from it but that's a better over from Overton, better line and length. Root stays on, trying to limit that run rate having done well so far.

2:43PM

OVER 11: AUS 65/0 (Finch 16* Head 46*)

Four off the over from Root, all singles. That run rate now up to 5.9.

2:39PM

OVER 10: AUS 61/0 (Finch 14* Head 44*)

Overton in then for his first over and... hmmm. He gets clattered for 12. Four through point, then Head nearly chops onto his own stumps but escapes (with a boundary). Nice cover drive off the last. Australia cruising.

2:37PM

OVER 9: AUS 49/0 (Finch 14* Head 32*)

Root having a bowl, Head adds five plus a leg bye. England letting this get away from them a little bit.

2:33PM

OVER 8: AUS 43/0 (Finch 14* Head 27*)

Been impressed by Head so far. Another nice drive, his fifth boundary. England to introduce some spin to slow things down a little.

2:28PM

OVER 7: AUS 38/0 (Finch 13* Head 23*)

Nice drive by Head, beating mid on to the rope. He's settled in well. Whipped to deep square leg for two more and then there's four more: runs racking up here.

2:23PM

OVER 6: AUS 28/0 (Finch 13* Head 13*)

Lovely timing from Head, rattling a four to long on. Four more! Full and wide and Finch laps that up with a cover drive.

Good start this for Australia, now to capitalise on it.

2:19PM

OVER 5: AUS 19/0 (Finch 9* Head 8*)

One wide and then Finch and Head each add to that tally, three for Head. Another short-lived appeal but that's sliding down. Run rate now 3.8.

2:15PM

OVER 4: AUS 14/0 (Finch 8* Head 5*)

Short, wide, and put through the gap into the covers by Head for four. Willey excited by the fifth delivery for a possible LBW, but the line looked off as did the height. Four off the over.

2:11PM

OVER 3: AUS 10/0 (Finch 8* Head 1*)

Put down but what an effort! Short from Wood, clattered by Finch on the pull and Hales nearly does brilliantly to claw it in one-handed with his right mitt. So close.

Maiden for Wood.

2:08PM

OVER 2: AUS 10/0 (Finch 8* Head 1*)

Willey up next from the Finchdale End. Catches Finch but high on the body. Bit fuller from Willey and that gets some swing, one leg bye. 

Well-timed strike through cover from Finch gets three, Australia at five an over so far. Looks as though Sky Sports have hired an new unknown third man.

2:03PM

OVER 1: AUS 5/0 (Finch 5* Head 0*)

Perfect start for Finch, short first ball from Wood pulled away back of square. Rode that bouncer well. Adds a single to third man and that's a steady opening.

1:59PM

Out come the teams

Finch and Head after that fast start. Fascinated to see what state Australia's confidence levels are in. Finch restored to the top of course following those team changes. 

1:46PM

The two sides

1:43PM

“Their top three are brutal"

Here's Justin Langer's take on what happened on Tuesday.

1:40PM

And it's an ODI debut for Craig Overton

1:34PM

Hello there!

Cor, Tuesday was quite the day wasn't it? England's resplendent batting performance to post 481 off 50 overs surely can't be repeated today... can it?

The surface looks decent, slight covering of grass at Chester-le-Street.

Australia win the toss and will have a bat. You can understand why Tim Paine might have opted for that after the carnage. He's also made three changes.