England set a new world record total of 481 for 6 as they beat Australia by 242 runs to win the third ODI, at Trent Bridge on Tuesday. The victory gave 2019 World Cup hosts England an unbeatable 3-0 lead in their 5-match series with the world champions. Hundreds from Alex Hales, who made 147 on his Nottinghamshire home ground, and Jonny Bairstow, whose 139 was his fourth century in 6 matches at this level, helped England surpass their own previous all-time ODI record of 444 for 3 against Pakistan set at Trent Bridge in 2016.
World champions Australia could only manage 239 in reply. They suffered their 14th defeat in 16 completed ODIs. This was also Australia’s heaviest defeat at this level, in terms of runs, surpassing a 206-run loss to New Zealand in Adelaide in 1986.
By contrast, this was England’s biggest victory in the format, topping their 210-run win against New Zealand at Edgbaston in 2015. The series continues at Chester-le-Street, the headquarters of northeast county Durham, on Thursday.
Brief scores:
England 481 for 6 in 50 overs [Jason Roy 82(61), Jonny Bairstow 139(92), Alex Hales 147(92), Eoin Morgan 67(30); Jhye Richardson 10-1-92-3] beat Australia 239 in 37 overs [Travis Head 51(39); Moeen Ali 5-0-28-3, Adil Rashid 10-0-47-4].
Player of the Match: Alex Hales.
