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Live Commentary: Australia vs. England: Fifth ODI - as it happened

Relive our text coverage of the fifth one-day international between Australia and England in Adelaide.
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Australia completed a 4-1 victory in the one-day international series with England by winning a dramatic game at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday.

The hosts elected to bat first on a slow pitch and only George Bailey (56) was able to record a half-century as they battled their way to a total of 217-9 from 50 overs.

England looked well set to earn their second victory at 154-3 but Australia hit back late in the innings to set up a nervy finish.

The tourists needed six runs from the final over but James Tredwell (0) was dismissed with two balls to spare as England collapsed to 212 all out to hand Australia a five-run win.

Read below to find out how the drama unfolded.


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Hello everyone. The ODI series between Australia and England comes to an end today. Australia have already won the series but the tourists can make it 3-2 by winning their second game of the tour in Adelaide today.

The hosts rested some players on Friday at the WACA but they're expected to be at full strength as they look to avenge that defeat on Australia Day. They've enjoyed tremendous success over the past couple of months and will be eager to secure a 4-1 ODI series triumph.

BREAKING NEWS: The returning Michael Clarke wins the toss and Australia will bat first today. Full team news to arrive very shortly.

AUSTRALIA: Marsh, Finch, Watson, Clarke, Bailey, Maxwell, Wade, Faulkner, Coulter-Nile McKay, Doherty

ENGLAND: Cook, Bell, Stokes, Root, Morgan, Bopara, Buttler, Bresnan, Broad, Jordan, Tredwell


Australia make four changes to the team that lost in Perth. Shane Watson, Clint McKay and Xavier Doherty join Clarke in returning to the side. Steve Smith, Dan Christian, Mitchell Johnson and James Pattinson are the men who miss out. Joe Root comes back into the England team to replace Gary Ballance.

Root's inclusion is certainly an interesting one. Ballance has shown in flashes that he can be a success in this format but the England camp have always been eager to play Root as much as possible. He was horribly out of form prior to being dropped but he can be a key player at his best.

Australia's batting lineup certainly looks a lot stronger today. It's not a surprise to see Pattinson left out as he has looked well below his best since making his return from injury. Johnson struggled in the last game and the coaching staff probably have one eye on the tour of South Africa with his omission.

Cook will be a lot more happy to see his side lose 3-2, rather than 4-1. A defeat can be damaging but two victories in a row might suggest that the tourists are beginning to turn the corner ahead of the Twenty20 series.

The players have arrived on the field for the national anthems. It's a gorgeous day in Adelaide and there's already quite a few in the stands ready for the action to get underway.

As always, the tourists will need early wickets to disrupt an Australian lineup packed with power players. Root offers an extra option with the ball and will be interesting to see if James Tredwell can find some turn. Aaron Finch will be ready to fire immediately.

Cook has one final word with his players before setting the first field of the day. Stuart Broad will bowl the first over. Finch on strike. Play!

The drop-in pitch at the Adelaide Oval suggests that this surface will be slightly slower than what we've seen previously in the series. Broad is slightly wide early in the over as he looks to encourage Finch into playing a wild shot. The opener is more than happy to watch the ball travel through to Buttler outside his off-stump. Finch finally does play a shot but he's nowhere near making contact with an attempted pull. Broad starts with a maiden.

Chris Jordan opens the bowling alongside Broad. Two slips in place for Marsh, who watches the seamer begin with a wide down the leg-side. A leg-bye allows the openers to rotate the strike. DROP! Jordan hits the perfect length with the third delivery and catches the edge as Finch plays the drive. It travels quickly to Cook, who fails to hold on while moving to his right. That should have been taken. The captain will be disappointed. Bell may have put him off at second slip. Marsh adds a run to point. There's definitely been some movement for the opening bowlers.

Marsh clips a single off his pads early on in the over. Shot! Finch reaches the rope for the first time with a lunge forward followed by a drive through the covers for four. DROP! Unbelievable. Cook should have taken his chance, but this is terrible from Bopara. Finch drives a full ball straight to the fielder at cover but Bopara puts down a relatively simple chance. You cannot drop Finch twice. The opener adds a couple more down the ground. Finch 7 Marsh 2*

Jordan is punished for a second wide in as many overs when he drifts down the leg-side again. England appeal optimistically for lbw when the seamer goes fuller but the ball would have probably missed leg-stump. Not out, confirms the umpire. England's poor start in the field continues when Bresnan fumbles the ball at mid-off to gift a single to Marsh. The tourists need to wake up. Two off the over.

Broad sticks with a fuller length as he looks to take advantage of the movement on offer for the England bowlers. Marsh opens the face of the bat to steer a run through third-man.

WICKET! FINCH (7) B BROAD

Beauty! Broad produces some extra pace to nip one back and make a mess of Finch's stumps. England will be relieved to see the opener depart after dropping him twice in the early stages. Great piece of bowling from Broad. Watson in next.

Broad begins with a very good line to Watson, who is forced to keep out a couple of deliveries directed at his pads. Excellent over from Broad.

Jordan is looking to invite a false drive from Marsh, which he almost does when a thick inside sends the ball into the leg-side. Cook had a stern word with his players about their fielding after Broad took the first wicket. He won't be happy to see Bresnan fail to stop a boundary through extra cover after he made the ground necessary to retrieve the ball. Shot! Jordan loses his line and Marsh takes full advantage to cut past point for four more. Marsh 12 Watson 0*

REVIEW! Big appeal for lbw from England. Broad nips one back and Watson misses with a shot across his front pad. Cook decides to use his only review after the umpire shakes his head. It's a very, very close call but the technology supports the umpire's call, with the ball only being expected to clip leg-stump.

WICKET! WATSON (0) C BUTTLER B BROAD

Broad strikes again! Watson plays a wild drive just moments after surviving a review and Buttler takes a simple catch off the outside edge. Big wicket for the tourists. Clarke in next for Australia.

Clarke is greeted with two full deliveries before seeing a cut shot stopped by Morgan at point. It's a very impressive wicket maiden from Broad. England on top.

England need to keep attacking while the ball is moving. Marsh continues to go about his business with a couple behind square on the leg-side followed by a single past backward point. Jordan refuses to offer any freedom to Clarke, who continues to wait for his first run.

It's not going to be a 320 pitch. The pitch is slow, which means anything around 250 could be competitive. That last prediction will probably be followed by a score of 300 from the hosts. Broad's length has been perfect in this spell. Marsh is unable to get forward, so he settles for a single on the leg-side. Clarke gets off the mark with a run through square-leg. Broad's fifth over costs just two runs. Cook may have to bring him off now.

The first bowling change comes as Bresnan replaces Jordan. Clarke hurries a single following a nudge into the leg-side. Jordan hits the stumps from mid-off a few moments later but Marsh is quick enough to complete a run. Clarke adds one more to make it three from the over. England missed a couple of early opportunities but they'll be happy to see Australia on 30-2 at the end of the powerplay.

Cook decides to hand Broad a sixth over in this opening spell. Clarke shuffles across his crease to work a run behind square. Marsh clips a couple to deep square-leg before adding another to wide mid-on. Four off the over. Marsh 20* Clarke 4

Marsh opens the face of the bat to push Bresnan to cover for a single. Clarke once again takes a couple of steps across his crease to collect two through square-leg before playing a similar shot to earn a single behind square. Marsh adds another run on the leg-side as Australia continue their recovery from a difficult start.

Tredwell is into the attack for the first time. The Australian duo look comfortable against the spinner as they collect three singles from his opening over. Decent start from Tredwell. Australia scoring at 3.23 an over.

Bresnan is trying to stay tight to off-stump as he looks to encourage a mistake from Marsh, who stays on the defensive before guiding a single through third-man.

WICKET! CLARKE (8) B BRESNAN

Clarke, feeling the pressure of no boundary in eight overs, plays an ugly shot across the line of the ball and Bresnan disturbs the stumps. It's a massive wicket for the tourists. Australia are in a lot of trouble after 14 overs.

George Bailey joins Marsh at the crease and he's given the strike when his partner collects a single at the start of the over. The new batsman gets off the mark with a run to wide mid-on. Marsh scores a rare boundary by drilling the ball through mid-wicket for four runs. A single through the same area follows a ball later. Marsh 31* Bailey 1

Marsh has looked pretty comfortable, without looking too threatening. A single is collected to Root at deep square-leg. Bresnan settles on a good length to Bailey, who is forced onto the front foot to defend. A leg-bye is conceded off the final ball of the over to hand Bailey the strike.

Bailey advances down the pitch and is fortunate to see a leading edge drop short of Tredwell. Cook should be keeping the pressure on with his field placement but both mid-on and mid-off are back. Bailey targets a different area, though, as he drops to one knee to sweep a single through fine-leg. Marsh adds a run to that fielder at long-off. It's another tidy over from Tredwell.

Marsh is happy to deal in singles as he gets off strike early in a new over. England are desperately trying to encourage Bailey into a loose shot outside off-stump but Cook could end up regretting not having two slips in place. Three singles added from the final three balls as Australia search for some fluency with the bat.

Bailey plays the sweep again to scoop a couple of runs through fine-leg. Tredwell goes slightly fuller to offer the batsman a single through cover. A fumble on the leg-side allows Marsh to add another run. Buttler drifts down the leg-side in an optimistic attempt to stop another sweep but Bailey comfortable collects two more. Six runs from the over.

Cook makes a change as Ben Stokes comes into the attack for the first time.

WICKET! MARSH (36) C COOK B STOKES

Stokes makes a breakthrough in his first over. Marsh targets a run through mid-wicket but his chipped effort is well taken by Cook, who makes up for his earlier drop. England in control at the Adelaide Oval. Glenn Maxwell in next.

Maxwell gets off the mark by clipping his second ball into the leg-side for a single. One run and a wicket from the over. Bailey 9 Maxwell 1*

Changes at both ends as Jordan replaces Tredwell. The returning seamer drifts onto the pads to gift Maxwell a couple of runs. Jordan nips one back off the seam but a brief lbw appeal is quickly dismissed by the umpire. A thick inside edge brings a single to deep square-leg. Bailey has a big role to play in this innings now. Australia cannot afford to lose him. One more single makes it four off the over.

Morgan, fielding at point, manages to get a hand on a powerful shot from Bailey but he can't prevent a run from being collected. Maxwell clips a full delivery into the leg-side to rotate the strike again. Shot! Stokes is too full and Bailey takes advantage to whip four runs through mid-wicket. That's just the fifth boundary of the innings. Australia have a lot of work to do with 28 overs remaining.

Maxwell flicks another single off the pads, before Bailey adds another by nudging the ball into the leg-side. An open-faced shot earns a quick run for Maxwell. England still keeping things tight.

UPDATE: Australia's women are currently 169-4, chasing 269 to win the third ODI in Hobart. England need to win that match to retain the Ashes.

Maxwell eases a run to deep square-leg. The Australian duo respond well to hurry a leg-bye when the ball squirms into a gap. Maxwell is fortunate to get an inside edge on a fuller delivery as the strike is rotated again. Bailey steers a run to deep cover when he chases a wider ball. One more makes it five from the over.

Bopara comes into the attack for the first time. Will Australia target the all-rounder? This pitch might suit the Essex ace. Maxwell starts the over with a push through point for one. Shot! Clever work from Bailey, who opens the face just enough to run four through third-man. A similar shot through the same region brings a single a few moments later. Buttler gets excited when Maxwell shuffles across his crease but an easy run is collected to long-on. Seven from the over. Bailey 22 Maxwell 11*

Stokes isn't far away from catching the outside edge when Maxwell attempts to guide the ball through third-man. A push to deep cover brings a single before a leg-bye is added on the leg-side. Good work from Stokes once again.

Maxwell adds a quick run to Tredwell, who is just inside the inner circle at fine-leg. Bailey misses out when he fails to make firm contact with a pull shot. Bopara finds a much better line later in the over. A thick inside edge brings another run on the leg-side. Australia scoring at a rate of 3.52 with 23 overs left.

Bailey opens the face of the bat again to guide a single through third-man. Maxwell executes a similar shot to rotate the strike again. Shot! Stokes strays from his straight line to offer Bailey some freedom and the batsman takes advantage to cut four past point. Two more runs added through fine-leg at the end of the over.

Much better for the hosts. Maxwell records Australia's eighth boundary with a clip through square-leg for four runs. Bopara goes slightly fuller and is pushed to long-on for one. Bailey adds a single with an identical shot. Morgan stops the ball at backward point but he can't prevent Maxwell from cruising to the non-striker's end. Singles from each of the final two balls makes it nine from the over. Bailey and Maxwell leading the recovery in Adelaide.

WICKET! MAXWELL (22) C BUTTLER B STOKES

Stokes brings a frustrating partnership to an end by catching Maxwell's outside edge. Buttler takes a good low catch behind the stumps and England pick up a crucial fifth wicket.

Wade comes out to the crease to join Bailey. He'll be eager to impress but it's a difficult time to bat. Wade finds his first run with a nudge into the leg-side. A single and a wicket from the 30th over. Tredwell looks set to come back on.

Wade starts the over by steering the ball through the covers for one. Bailey advances own the pitch to flick a run to square-leg. There is a slip in place, but Tredwell is a touch too straight as Wade adds another run. Bailey steals the strike with a single off the final ball.

Stokes is too straight, which allows Bailey to pick up a run to deep square-leg. Wade is eager to force himself onto the front foot as he collects a single with a clip to mid-wicket. Bailey reacts impressively to hurry a couple through fine-leg. Close! Bailey takes a big risk when he chips a full-toss into the air but Bopara can't reach the ball at mid-on and the batsman collects four.

Wade pushes a single to deep cover. Bailey beats the man inside the circle at fine-leg to rotate the strike again. Tredwell settles on a tighter line but Wade still manages to open the blade and earn a single on the off-side. It's a good over from the spinner.

Bresnan is back into the attack to replace the impressive Stokes. Wade walks down the pitch to tuck the ball into the leg-side for one. Bailey continues to look comfortable as he finds a single to deep square-leg. Wade flicks a straighter delivery through fine-leg for a couple. Bresnan sends down a short ball and Wade is fortunate to see a top edge land safely. Broad does superbly in the deep to prevent Bailey from reaching the rope with a cut. Bailey 46* Wade 10

Bailey edges closer to an impressive half-century with a single to long-on. Wade opens the face of the bat to rotate the strike again. Tredwell resists the urge to come over the wicket for the right-handed Bailey, who pulls another run to deep square-leg. Three from the over.

35 overs have been completed, which means it's time for the batting powerplay. I'm not sure if that will mean much to the batting duo, who can't afford to throw their wicket away. Bailey collects a single to deep square-leg at the start of the over. Wade attempts to open up the leg-side but it's a leading edge that hands him the run. 50! A single through third-man brings up Bailey's half-century in 60 balls. Excellent effort, but he'll want to be there at the end. Wade makes it four from Bresnan's over with a pulled single.

Broad returns to the attack following his superb opening spell earlier in the day. Wade gets off strike with a single through fine-leg. Bailey works another run through mid-wicket. Wade walks across his crease to collect two more behind square on the leg-side. A leg-bye makes it five from the over.

RESULT: Amazing scenes in Hobart. Ellyse Perry (90*) has guided Australia to a four-wicket win in the third ODI to keep Australia's hopes alive in the Women's Ashes. Australia needed 80 off the final 10 overs. That's a great effort. Three Twenty20 matches remaining in the multi-format series.

SHOT! Bresnan starts the over impressively, conceding just two runs off the first five balls but Wade gives the home supporters something to cheer when he sits back in his crease to pull four runs through square-leg. Bailey 52* Wade 21

Bailey flirts with one down the leg-side but the end result is a wide from Broad. The strike is handed to Wade when Bailey pushes a run through mid-wicket. Wade takes on the short ball again but only collects a single following a miscued hook shot. A thick outside edge races through third-man to give Bailey another run.

This pitch probably won't improve, so Australia will be in the game if they reach a total close to 220. Jordan comes into the attack for the final over of the powerplay. The Australian duo are alert enough to sneak a single when Bailey prods the ball into the leg-side. Big appeal for lbw from Jordan when Wade shuffles across his crease bu the umpire isn't interested. It looks like the ball pitched outside leg-stump. Good decision. Two from the 40th over.

Shot! Stokes returns to the attack and his first ball of a new spell is hammered past point by Wade for four runs. An inside edge into the pad allows the left-handed batsman to sneak to the non-striker's end. Bailey guides a single through third-man. Wade uses his feet well again to flick a run to deep mid-wicket.

WICKET! BAILEY (56) C BROAD B STOKES

Big wicket! Australia may have been planning to increase the tempo but they lose a key man at a crucial time. Bailey attempts to loft the ball over mid-on but he can only pick out Broad, who takes a good catch at an awkward height.

James Faulkner comes to the crease to keep out his first ball. Nine overs left in the innings. England need to keep the pressure on.

Good cricket from Wade to hurry two runs following a nudge through mid-wicket. Jordan does a great job of keeping things tight as England look to once again apply the breaks in the closing stages of the innings. A couple of late singles makes it four from the over.

There's another change as Broad, who has two overs left to bowl, returns to the attack. It's a poor start, with Faulkner collecting four runs off a leg-side half-volley. Morgan is powerless to prevent the all-rounder from sneaking a single past point. Wade misses with a cut shot and he's fortunate not to edge one through to Buttler.

WICKET! WADE (31) B BROAD

Wade has been shuffling across his crease throughout the innings and it gets him into trouble on this occasion as Broad knocks back leg-stump. Three wickets for the seamer. Australia need to add a few more to this total.

Coulter-Nile is the new batsman and he's more than happy to block his first ball. Seven overs remaining in the innings. Stokes to return to the attack.

Faulkner picks out the fielders early in the over before earning a run to deep square-leg. Stokes drifts down the leg-side to gift the hosts an extra. The Durham all-rounder goes very full at the end of the over, with Coulter-Nile running a single through third-man.

Close! Brilliant effort from Stokes in the deep at mid-wicket but he can't make the ground to take a catch when Coulter-Nile lofts the ball into the air. Broad keeps Faulkner on his toes with a decent bouncer. A single is collected behind square on the leg-side and Coulter-Nile adds another to deep point. One more run makes it four off the over. Broad finishes with figures of 3-31 from his 10 overs. Excellent work.

Faulkner, who may be looking to take the aerial route soon, nudges a run into the leg-side. Coulter-Nile slices a drive into the off-side to rotate the strike again. Faulkner cruises a run to wide mid-on. Another single is followed by a leg-bye. Just four off the over. Stokes finishes with 3-43 from 10 overs.

Bresnan is back into the attack. Coulter-Nile gets a thick edge on a slog to pick up a single. Faulkner decides there's no more time to waste as he heaves four runs through mid-wicket. Not pretty, but effective. A fuller delivery is nudged into the off-side for one. Shot! Brilliant from Coulter-Nile, who lofts four over extra cover. A drive to deep point rotates the strike and Faulkner ends the over with a single to cover. Faulkner 17* Coulter-Nile 10

Faulkner gives himself room but the returning Jordan follows the batsman to only concede a single. A leg-bye allows Coulter-Nile to hand the strike back to his partner. Morgan does well in the deep to restrict Faulkner to one when Jordan attempts a yorker. Another full delivery is worked through square-leg for a single. Faulkner adds two more over mid-wicket. One off the final ball makes it eight off the over. 12 balls remaining.

Bresnan gets a hand on a straight drive to restrict Coulter-Nile to a single. Close! Faulkner calls for a risky run to Broad, who just misses the stumps from cover. Bresnan sticks with a full, wide tactic to make it difficult for the hosts. Coulter-Nile drills a run to Bell at deep cover, before Faulkner adds a couple to long-off. Buttler whips off his glove and hits the stumps when the batsmen hurry another run, with a quick single proving Faulkner was home. Bresnan concedes one more run. Seven off the over.

Jordan starts with an attempted yorker, which Coulter-Nile clubs down the ground for one. A good bouncer beats Faulkner's swinging bat.

WICKET! FAULKNER (27) C MORGAN B JORDAN

A fluent knock comes to an end when Faulkner launches a full-toss straight to Morgan, who takes a simple catch at deep mid-wicket. It's probably the worst ball Jordan has bowled but he won't care much. Three deliveries left in the innings.

WICKET! COULTER-NILE (15) LBW B JORDAN

Nothing wrong with that ball! Jordan traps Coulter-Nile lbw with an excellent yorker. Easy decision for the umpire. Jordan is on a hat-trick. Xavier Doherty in next.

Doherty survives the hat-trick delivery by pushing the ball through the covers for one. Clint McKay earns a single from the final ball of the innings. Excellent work from the tourists.

It's not going to be an easy run-chase for England but they're certainly favourites at the halfway point in Adelaide. Every bowler played their part and Cook will be very happy with his side. It looked like Bailey might guide Australia to 250 at one stage but his dismissal proved to be a big turning point.

We'll join the players by taking a break for around 30 minutes. When we return, England will require 218 to win the fifth ODI. See you then.

Welcome back everyone. England require 218 runs to win the fifth ODI at the Adelaide Oval. The series may be lost, but two consecutive wins will certainly make this miserable tour much better for Cook and his men.

It's not an easy pitch to score quickly on. England don't have to rush but a positive start would make this run-chase much easier. The tourists have the opportunity to take control early on in the innings.

The players are back out in the middle. Cook on strike. McKay to bowl the first over. England require 218. Play!

McKay begins the innings with a wide. Cook follows the extra by edging a couple of runs through third-man. McKay then drifts down the leg-side and is punished for another wide. Cook shuffles across the crease to open up the leg-side but he can only find the fielder. Solid start.

Coulter-Nile opens the bowling from the other end and his first delivery displays the slowness of the pitch as the ball bounces twice before reaching Wade behind the stumps. The seamer shapes the ball away from Bell nicely early in the over. Bell is eager to use his feet but he refuses to play any loose shots. Maiden over from Coulter-Nile.

McKay is punished for his third wide early in a new over. Cook flicks the next ball off his front pad to rotate the strike. Bell shows attacking intent to drive at a wider ball and he's pretty fortunate to see the ball slice over point for the first boundary. Close! Bell is caught in two minds late in the over but a leading edge drops just short of McKay. Cook 3* Bell 4

Cook uses some width to cut a single to deep point. Bell is caused problems again when Coulter-Nile finds a leading edge but the ball lands in a gap on the off-side. Shot! Coulter-Nile delivers a leg-stump half-volley and Bell punishes the bowler by clipping four runs over mid-wicket. England going well after four overs.

Cook fights the urge to play just outside off-stump before nudging a straighter delivery into the leg-side for one. Bell walks down the pitch and opens the face of the bat to guide a run through third-man. Much better from McKay. Three off the over.

The England captain cuts again to pick up a single past point. Shot! Bell is frustrated on a couple of advances down the pitch, but he enjoys success on the back foot when he punches a shorter ball through the off-side for four runs.

WICKET! BELL (14) C FINCH B COULTER-NILE

Vital breakthrough for Australia! Bell, targeting another boundary over mid-off, doesn't get the loft he needs on the shot and Finch takes a good catch. The hosts needed that wicket. England need 195 more runs to win.

Stokes comes in at number three but is at the non-striker's end as McKay begins the seventh over. Wade is on his own appealing for a catch down the leg-side but the wicketkeeper is ignored as another wide is given. Close! Cook attacks a short delivery and he breathes a sigh of relief when the ball drops short of Marsh at square-leg. Stokes is more than happy to defend his first two balls.

Faulkner comes into the attack to replace Coulter-Nile. Cook opens the face of the bat to pick up a couple through third-man before nudging a single into the leg-side. Stokes is struck in the hip while attempting to pull but England are able to sneak a leg-bye. An optimistic lbw appeal is quickly dismissed, with the umpire suggesting Faulkner's delivery would have missed leg-stump. Four off the over.

If Stokes can get in, he will be a key man in this run-chase due to how quickly he can score runs. McKay sends one past the outside edge when the all-rounder attempts a late cut.

WICKET! STOKES (0) C MARSH B McKAY

Stokes won't be the key man today! A shorter ball is there to pull but the all-rounder miscues his shot straight to Marsh, who takes an easy catch on the leg-side. We could be in for a thriller at the Adelaide Oval. Root in next.

Close! Root, who will be desperate for runs on his return to the team, edges his second ball but it drops short of Wade. England under pressure early on in their reply. Cook 10* Root 0

Faulkner will target the stumps as much as possible, while the slower ball could prove to be a big weapon. Cook nudges a single into the leg-side. The seamer comes around the wicket to bowl at the right-handed Root. A late cut hands Root his first run. 31 runs from the powerplay. Australia were 30-2 at this stage.

A thick outside edge earns Root a single through third-man midway through McKay's over. Cook is fooled by one that just holds its line to beat the outside edge. Shot! McKay is slightly too straight and Cook clips the ball through the leg-side for four runs. Excellent timing. Clarke may turn to his spinners soon. Cook 15 Root 2*

Shot! Faulkner is too short and Root takes advantage to pull four runs over mid-wicket. A wide follows as the Australian seamer goes in search of the right line and length. Root opens the face of the bat to steer a single past backward point. Cook plays the latest of cuts for a run through third-man. Root adds another single on the leg-side. Eight scored in the over.

Clarke does decide it's time for spin as Doherty comes into the attack. Root's inclusion today probably had something to do with his ability to work the spinners into gaps for ones and twos. A flick off the hip from the Yorkshire batsman rotates the strike early in the over. Cook moves across his crease to add a run to square-leg. Just two from a very good Doherty over. Cook 17* Root 9

Shot! Faulkner is left frustrated but it's a poor delivery which Cook pulls over Watson at mid-wicket. No chance of a catch on that occasion. A slower ball is tucked into the leg-side by the England skipper for two more. Faulkner needs to settle on a good length. Cook steers another run through the covers to make it seven from the over.

Cook rushes through a single at the start of a new over from Doherty. Root seems eager to use his feet against the spin but a mixture of a tight line and an attacking field is making life difficult. A push past the fielder at cover earns him a single late in the over.

Watson is into the attack. After failing with the bat earlier in the day, this could be the type of pitch that suits the all-rounder. Root once again opens the face of the bat to guide a single through third-man. Plenty of runs will be scored through there in this innings. Cook clips one run to deep square-leg to rotate the strike. Root hurries a single to the lively Finch at mid-off before Cook ends the over with another single. England need 159 more from 34 overs.

Cook drops to one knee in an attempt to paddle-sweep the ball through fine-leg but he doesn't make great contact. An alert Root at the non-striker's end makes sure his captain still picks up a run. Root stays deep in his crease to nudge a single into the leg-side. Cook cruises another run to long-on. Not sure if Clarke needs his fielder back there. One more makes it four from the over. Cook 29 Root 14*

England won't be too concerned at the moment but they'll know that a couple of quick wickets could put them under real pressure. There's plenty of time for the tourists need to score the runs they need. Clarke will keep asking questions. Maxwell comes into the attack and begins his opening spell with a sloppy over. Root sweeps a couple to deep square-leg before reversing his hands to send the next ball to the rope. Three singles makes it nine off the over.

Root gets off strike early in a new over from Doherty. Shot! Cook seems eager to use the sweep shot and he gets good value for the shot when he drills the ball through square-leg for four. A run to deep mid-wicket hands the strike back to Root, who cuts a single to deep cover. This partnership is now worth 50 from 63 balls.

Maxwell is a fraction too short and Root takes the opportunity to cut two runs through the covers. The Yorkshire batsman is frustrated by a couple of attempts to sweep the ball past Doherty, who is inside the circle at short fine-leg. Root cuts once again for two before adding a single on the leg-side.

It could prove to be a curse but I must say that this is the most comfortable I've seen Root at the crease for a while. England are dealing with the threat from the spinners pretty easily but a boundary or two would put the pressure back on the hosts. Root and Cook both pick up a single from Doherty's over.

One of these players must produce a big score for England. Cook, who will head home after this game, would love to lead his side to victory. Coulter-Nile returns to the attack and concedes just one run.

Cook rocks back to cut Doherty through point for a run. A fuller delivery sparks an lbw appeal but the ball would have missed leg-stump. Root pushes the ball into a gap on the off-side for a quick single. Cook then slices a drive through third-man. Cook 39* Root 31

Cook finds the middle of the bat throughout the over but he's frustrated by his inability to beat the fielders inside the circle.

WICKET! COOK (39) C BAILEY B COULTER-NILE

Cook's tour with the bat ends in disappointment. The England skipper, who was probably feeling the pressure of the recent run of dot balls, chips one straight into the hands of Bailey at cover. Australia know how big that wicket is for their hopes.

Morgan comes to the crease and immediately gets off the mark with a single off the final ball of the over. England still need 127 runs.

Morgan will be confident against the spin and he begins Doherty's over by sweeping two through fine-leg. A nudge into the leg-side brings a quick single. Close! Root dives in at the non-striker's end but it wouldn't have mattered had Bailey hit the stumps from point. Crazy call from the batsman. England lucky not to be four down.

Root picks up a single early in the over. Morgan chips the ball just over the fielder at short mid-wicket but Watson manages to prevent the left-handed batsman from reaching the rope. Root takes England to three figures with a flick to deep mid-wicket before Morgan steals the strike by sneaking a single at the end of the over. Root 34 Morgan 8*

Shot! Doherty is only a fraction too wide but Morgan takes full advantage with a stunning cut through the covers for four. Root is handed the strike midway through the over and he adds another single to take England to within 111 of their target.

Watson returns to the attack for a new spell. A short delivery allows Root to pull through square-leg for one. Morgan picks out on the fielders on a couple of occasions before adding a run late in the over. Good return from Watson. McKay looks set to begin a new spell.

Morgan picks up a single early in McKay's over. Wade comes up to the stumps to give Root something else to consider as he flicks an easy run off the front pad. McKay stays as straight as possible to keep it tight in an excellent over. Australia building pressure again.

Root skips down the pitch but has to settle for a single when he picks out Finch at mid-on. Six! It's been a difficult pitch to play straight on, but Morgan makes it look like a practice session as he lofts the ball over the long-off boundary. England's number five follows the boundary with an easy single. Good over for the tourists. Root 38 Morgan 22*

McKay is slightly too short and Morgan clips a single off his hip. Root targets a scoop over the head but he loses sight of the ball and picks up a leg-bye instead. Morgan adds another run behind square on the leg-side. England need 96 from 114 balls.

Morgan takes the aerial route again and he collects four more, despite not finding the middle of the bat on this occasion. Wade takes a painful blow on the knee when a Watson delivery keeps slightly low. Morgan sits back in his crease to guide a single through third-man. Shot! Root decides it's time to be positive, too, as he rocks back to pull four runs over mid-wicket. Great over for the tourists.

Maxwell returns for a new spell. The umpires call for a replay when Wade whips the bails off but a closer look shows that Root made his ground at the danger end. Australia's second spinner struggles to find the right line as Root sweeps for two. Close! A full-toss is gifted to Root, who only just manages to beat the back-tracking Faulkner at mid-wicket. Six! Root reaches his 50 in style by launching Maxwell over mid-wicket for six runs. Impressive knock so far. Root 52 (79) Morgan 30* (28)

Faulkner is back into the attack to bowl his fifth over. Morgan gets off strike early in the over with a single. Root adds two by picking the gap on the leg-side. Faulkner goes slightly fuller than the his fellow seamers before him. Good over.

Maxwell's spell doesn't last for long as Clarke turns to Coulter-Nile again. Morgan steers the ball through third-man and takes advantage of Watson's lack of pace to earn two runs. Coulter-Nile mixes his pace well to keep the batsman on the defensive. Morgan steals the strike with a single at the end of the over.

The 36th over marks the start of the batting powerplay. Shot! Faulkner is slightly too wide and Morgan's timing is perfect as he cuts past point for four runs. A nudge down the ground hands the strike to Root. Some poor wicketkeeping from Wade gifts a bye to the tourists.

WICKET! MORGAN (39) C WATSON B FAULKNER

Is this the start of the fightback? Morgan targets another boundary down the ground but he only manages to pick out Watson, who takes the catch at mid-off. England still need 64 from 86 balls.

Root must be there for the majority of this run-chase to make sure England get home. The Yorkshire batsman pushes a single to point early in a new over. Bopara is playing with a straight bat early in his over but he fails to pick the gaps down the ground to get off the mark. An open-faced effort brings a run through third-man. Two runs from another impressive Coulter-Nile over.

Bopara takes a risk by leaving a ball that creeps just past his off-stump before finding his second run on the leg-side.

WICKET! ROOT (55) C DOHERTY B FAULKNER

Big, big wicket for the hosts. Root needed to be there for most of the innings but he becomes the fifth man to depart when attempts a risky scoop shot over the shoulder and finds Doherty at short fine-leg. Australia are right back in this game now.

Buttler comes to the crease and keeps out the final ball of the over. England need 61 runs from 72 balls. We're in for a thrilling finish.

Clarke responds to a couple of quick wickets by bringing back Doherty. Good move from the skipper. It's a difficult pitch to start an innings on and England have two new men in at a crucial time. Bopara nudges the ball into both sides of the wicket but he fails to pick the gap. It's a priceless maiden from the spinner. 61 needed from 66.

Buttler gets off the mark with a single at the start of a new Faulkner over. Bopara seems to be going nowhere early in his innings. England cannot afford for the all-rounder to bat himself into a whole. Close! It's almost all over. Bopara, feeling the pressure, attempts the big shot and only just manages to avoid being caught by Watson at mid-wicket. Big let-off for the batsman. Three runs from the 40th over. Great powerplay for the hosts.

Buttler skips down the pitch to push Doherty away for a single. Bopara finds the gap on the off-side and reacts impressively to hurry a couple of runs. Shot! Doherty loses his length and Bopara cashes in to hammer four runs through mid-wicket. A single to long-off is followed by two on the leg-side. 10 off the over. Much better from England.

The batting duo exchange singles at the beginning of a new spell from Watson. Australia's all-rounder does an excellent job on his return to the attack, conceding just one more run from the final four ball. England need 45 from 48 balls.

Close! Bopara calls for a quick single early in the over and Buttler is lucky to see Finch miss with a throw at the stumps from square-leg.

WICKET! BUTTLER (5) C McKAY B COULTER-NILE

Buttler is gone! Coulter-Nile strikes on his return to the attack when England's star from the previous game pulls a short ball straight to McKay at deep mid-wicket. It's a huge moment in this match. Australia will fancy their chances from here. Bresnan in next.

Bresnan blocks his first ball before nudging a single into the leg-side. It's up to Bopara, who has had a poor series, to lead his team home. 43 runs needed from 42 balls.

Bresnan collects a single early in Watson's over. Bopara shuffles across the crease and flicks the ball to Doherty at short fine-leg to sneak a run. A leading edge from Bresnan has the home supporters excited but the ball lands safely on the off-side. Watson drifts too far down the leg-side to concede a wide. Shot! Bopara takes advantage of the extra delivery by drilling the ball through the off-side for four. It's going to be a dramatic finish. 35 needed from 36 balls.

Good cricket from the tourists as Bresnan picks up a couple from a pull to deep square-leg. Six! What a shot. Bresnan helps himself to six valuable runs with a lofted shot over mid-wicket. A single makes it nine from the over. Coulter-Nile finishes his 10 overs with figures of 3-34.

Faulkner comes around the wicket to begin his ninth over. Bresnan works the bell to mid-on for an easy single. Clarke hits the stumps when Bopara calls for a run but a needless replay shows Bopara made it home easily.

WICKET! BRESNAN (13) RUN OUT (MAXWELL)

England call for one risky single too many and Bresnan pays the price as Maxwell hits the stumps with an excellent throw from mid-off. Brilliant fielding. This game is going to the wire. England need 24 from from 25 balls.

Broad is the new batsman and he watches on as Bopara collects a single of the final ball of the over.

McKay comes back into the attack for the closing stages. Bopara begins the 47th over with a single through third-man. Broad gets off the mark with a thick inside edge for one. Bopara opens the face of the bat once again to collect another single. Shot! Priceless. Broad plays the perfect cover drive to split the fielders and collect four crucial runs. A nudge behind square on the leg-side brings a couple more.

WICKET! BROAD (7) B McKAY

How many more twists can this match take? Broad departs just moments after reaching the rope when McKay sneaks one through the gap to make a mess of the stumps. England need 14 from 18. Faulkner to bowl the 48th over. Bopara on strike. Jordan at the other end.

Cheers from the crowd as Faulkner begins the over with three dot balls in a row. Bopara finally picks up a run with a nudge down the ground. Jordan, who has shown he can bat in county cricket, begins his innings by blocking a straight one. The new batsman picks up a single with a flick through square-leg. 12 runs needed from 12 balls.

A fumble on the off-side allows Jordan to pick up a single at the start of McKay's over. Bopara plays the latest of cuts to rotate the strike again. Jordan beats the fielder at short mid-wicket to collect another run. McKay produces a gorgeous delivery to beat the outside edge. It's the dot ball that the Australians are cheering. Hold on, we've got a bit of drama here. Australia don't seem to appeal but the third umpire is asked to have a look after the bails are removed. The ball hits Wade, before falling on top of the stumps. Bopara did have his foot in the air. Is he going to be given out? It's a difficult decision.

WICKET! BOPARA (25) ST WADE B McKAY

Unbelievable scenes. The third umpire decides that Bopara's foot was in the air when the bails were dislodged. I'm not so sure. There didn't even seem to be an appeal. It doesn't matter now. Tredwell comes to the crease with England needing nine from eight balls.

A leg-bye allows Tredwell to get off strike. Jordan fails to add a run off the final ball. Coulter-Nile, Faulkner and McKay have all bowled 10 overs. It's going to be Watson to bowl the final six balls. England need six runs to win.

Watson, from around the wicket, starts the over with a dot ball when Tredwell swings his bat wildly. Tredwell happily gets off strike with a leg-bye. Seven runs needed from four balls. Can Jordan do it for England? It's only a single from the Sussex ace, who sneaks a run to mid-wicket. Six needed off three balls.

WICKET! TREDWELL (0) C WADE B WATSON

AUSTRALIA WIN BY FIVE RUNS: What a match in Adelaide. How on earth have Australia claimed a victory? The hosts delivered when they needed to and it's Watson who takes the final wicket when Tredwell edges through to Wade. England should have won this match but it's another failure on a miserable tour. Australia win the series 4-1.

It's a fantastic end to a thoroughly entertaining ODI series. Australia have once again come out on top over their rivals. Alastair Cook heads home tomorrow following a terrible couple of months for the England skipper. Australia win again and they'll be full of confidence ahead of the Twenty20 series.

I'm sure the debate over the Bopara decision will go on and on. Australia won't care, though. They've won this match by five runs. Make sure you join me on Wednesday at 8am (UK time) for the first T20 between these two sides. Goodbye everyone.

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Callum Mulvihill
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Australian captain Michael Clarke smiles during a press conference on the eve of the second cricket Test match against England, in Adelaide on December 4, 2013
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