Aaron Finch knock leads Australia to series victory over England

They opted to bat first but only Ben Stokes (42) and Adil Rashid (35 not out) offered any resistance as the hosts slumped to 138 all out in 33 disappointing overs.

Mitch Marsh and John Hastings did most of the damage, returning combined figures of seven for 48, while Mitchell Starc forced captain Eoin Morgan to retire hurt courtesy of a nasty blow to the helmet.

Morgan was treated for concussion and did not return, leaving James Taylor to deputise as an unbroken century stand between Aaron Finch (70no) and George Bailey (41no) saw Australia home less than halfway through their allotted overs.

In the first four matches the lowest score by a side batting first had been 299, leaving England’s bowlers with precious little to defend.

They managed a couple of breakthroughs after the turnaround but, with the Ashes and T20 honours gone, Finch and Bailey were in no mood to let the prospect of a 3-2 success slip.

England would have been pleased after winning the toss but any smiles in the home dressing room quickly turned to frowns.

The in-form Jason Roy was given out lbw twice in the first over the day, bowled by the recalled Starc, but after successfully overturning the first he declined to do so a second time.

Hastings added a pair of scalps with the second new ball, Hales’ forgettable series ending with a half-hearted flap to a wide one outside off stump.

Taylor was close behind, nicking to Matthew Wade attempting to force Hastings into the off side.

That left England 22 for three but there was worse to come when Morgan’s stay was ended in violent fashion by Starc’s bouncer. He stayed on his feet after the initial contact but it immediately became clear he was in no state to continue facing 90mph bumpers.

Woeful from Eng today but overall summer – 4-3 in Tests, 5-5 in ODIs, 2-0 in T20s – is significant progress from where season began #engvaus

— Andrew McGlashan (@andymcg_cricket) September 13, 2015

England needed Stokes to lead the lower middle order to a rousing response but although the all-rounder tried his best, Marsh had all the answers. 

Jonny Bairstow and David Willey fell lbw to straight deliveries, DRS used to confirm both dismissals, and Moeen Ali was caught behind driving carelessly away from his body.

Stokes’ knock had been the exception, with six boundaries and a clean six over long-off, but Marsh won his third leg before decision to leave England seven down after just 20 overs.

Adil Rashid averted a double-digit total as he drew out stands of 21 and 32 with number 10 Mark Wood and last man Reece Topley but it was never likely to be enough. 

The brevity of the England innings meant Australia were able to squeeze in 10 overs of the chase before lunch.

Here is @englandcricket‘s sorry scorecard. They have a heck of a job on their hands to win the series now. #EngvAus pic.twitter.com/GZcDTnpCNL

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) September 13, 2015

Neither Joe Burns or Steve Smith survived that period, both nicking to wicketkeeper Bairstow as Willey and Wood chalked up early successes. 

Resuming on 36 for two, Australia threw off the shackles as soon as Rashid entered the fray. His first two overs came at a cost of 27, including six down from the ground from Finch and three boundaries in four balls from Bailey.

Finch, in particular, was in no mood to linger and raced past 50 with the eighth and ninth fours of his innings off Moeen.

By now any sense of tension had gone from the game, with Taylor shuffling his attack as much out of duty as innovation or intent.

Topley probably had more to gain than most, making his 50-over debut ahead of Steven Finn and Liam Plunkett, but he had little to celebrate.

A thick edge from Bailey, Australia’s 19th boundary, settled things as England’s impressive 2015 campaign ended in an anti-climax.