England vs. Australia: Winners and Losers from 5th ODI

Australia were comfortable winners in the fifth one-day international against hosts England as they took victory by eight wickets at Old Trafford.

The home side were bundled out for 138, and the visitors were knocked off their target with plenty of time and wickets to spare.

It means Australia take a 3-2 series win at the end of an entertaining summer for all concerned, albeit after an anticlimactic final ODI.

Before both teams move on to new challenges, let’s take a look at some winners and losers from the fifth ODI.

Perhaps on the surface, Mitchell Marsh does not appear to be the most threatening of seam bowlers, but he was on the money today for Australia.

Marsh took four for 27 in six overs to precipitate a dramatic England batting collapse and certainly show his worth to the team in a bowling capacity.

Jason Roy has been in good form as an opener for England this series, but he came unstuck in this game as he was dismissed for just four runs.

It was a disappointing end for Roy, who has shown what is possible as an aggressive opening batsman, but he has surely secured his place in the team after his displays earlier.

Another Australian bowler to impress was John Hastings, who took three for 21 from 10 very economical overs with the new ball.

He took the crucial wickets of Alex Hales and James Taylor early on, then he returned to remove the dangerous Mark Wood. He has shown there is plenty of bowling options available for Australia.

England’s other opening batsman, Alex Hales, similarly failed to impress. He could reach just four before being caught by Glenn Maxwell off John Hastings.

This series was something of an audition for Hales to show himself capable of opening for England in Tests, and he will be disappointed to have failed to perform.

In Australia’s successful run chase, one batsman needed to take charge. Aaron Finch did just that as he hit an unbeaten 70 from 64 balls at the top of the order.

Having struggled with injuries, Finch looked to be back to something approaching his best and has surely earned himself further looks in limited-overs cricket.

Australian opener Joe Burns has seen his ODI scores go on a worrying downward trend since making his debut earlier this summer.

It continued in the fifth ODI against England as he was out for nought, caught by Jonny Bairstow off David Willey, and it may be difficult for him to return with David Warner due back from injury.