England looked on the backfoot, having been set a target of 305 to win and falling to 11/2 in their chase, but a 156-run partnership between Brook and Will Jacks (84 off 82 balls, with nine fours and a six) turned the tide in the hosts' favour. After Jacks' dismissal, Liam Livingstone joined Brook and scored a quickfire 33* off 20 balls with two fours and three sixes to help the hosts go past the DLS par score after rain halted the chase. Cameron Green (2/45) and Mitchell Starc (2/63) took the wickets for Australia. After winning the toss, England opted to field first and an 84-run partnership between Steve Smith (60 off 82 balls, with five fours) and Green (42 off 49 balls, with four fours) helped bring some stability. Australia were at one stage tottering at 172/5, but a 54-run partnership between Alex Carey (77* off 65 balls, seven fours and a six) and Glenn Maxwell (30 off 25 balls, five fours) and Aaron Hardie's quickfire 44 off 26 balls with three fours and two sixes helped Australia score 304/7 in 50 overs.
Jofra Archer (2/67) was the best bowler for England. Brydon Carse, Jacob Bethell, Livingstone and Jacques got one wicket each.
ICC The winners of the Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 had a chance to extend their ODI winning streak to 15, two matches ahead of the second-best winning streak in the men's format, which began with last year's flagship tournament.
Australia's 2003 group holds the record with 21 consecutive wins, including Cricket World Cup glory that same year. It is their women's team compatriots who have the bragging rights with 26 back-to-back wins between 2018 and 2021. The win would also have meant Australia would have dethroned India from top spot in the ICC ODI men's team rankings, although a loss means they remain three rating points behind the top spot (118 rating points).
Despite their series defeat to Afghanistan, South Africa remain in third place, although they have lost their place to the top two teams (108 rating points). The fourth match of the five-match ODI series between Australia and England will be played on Friday. (ANI)
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