Brilliant Brook leads England to win in third ODI

A superb maiden ODI century by new captain Harry Brook led England to a dominant, rain-shortened DLS victory over Australia on Tuesday to keep the five-match series alive with two to play.Australia, seeking a 15th successive ODI win, overcame difficult early conditions to post 304, with Steve Smith hitting a patient 60 and Aaron Hardie (44) and Alex Carey (77 not out) cutting loose in the final 10 overs.Leading 2-0 they must have thought a series-clinching third was on the cards when England slumped to 11-2, but Brook and Will Jacks built an excellent partnership of 156 to swing it their way.After Jacks went for 84, Liam Livingston smashed a quick unbeaten 33 as Brook moved serenely on to 110 but, on 254-4 with 51 needed from 74 balls, the rain began and England were eventually awarded a 46-run victory under a DLS calculation that had produced a revised target of 209 after their 37.4 overs.Earlier Carey again proved a thorn in England’s side, smashing an unbeaten 77 to take Australia to 304-7.England, in a match they must win to keep the five-game series alive, took two quick wickets to reduce the world champions to 132-4 in the 28th over after home captain Brook won the toss.But wicketkeeper Carey, fresh from his match-winning 74 in the second ODI at Headingley on Saturday, turned the tide during stands of 40 with Steven Smith (60)and 54 with Glenn Maxwell (30).Carey, only featuring in the series because World Cup-winning gloveman Josh Inglis is injured, then received excellent support from Hardie, whose dashing 44 provided the bulk of a seventh-wicket partnership of 68.Recalled fast bowler Jofra Archer was the pick of England’s attack, with figures of 2-67 in 10 overs but he suffered a late assault.England enjoyed two early breakthroughs, with Matthew Short hooking Archer to deep square leg and Australia captain Mitchell Marsh caught behind off a brilliant leg-cutter from Brydon Carse.But a well-paced partnership of 89 in 16 overs between Smith and Cameron Green kept England at bay before the all-rounder, recalled in place of the injured Travis Head, fell for 42.And next over Australia’s 131-3 became 132-4 when Marnus Labuschagne exited for a duck, after a miscued paddle-sweep off spinner Will Jacks lobbed gently to wicketkeeper Jamie Smith.Australia’s Smith went to fifty when he pulled a short delivery from Jacks for his fifth four in 71 balls faced.But he was out soon afterwards when a fierce pull off Archer was brilliantly caught by a diving Carse on the boundary, with Australia now 172-5 in the 35th over.Carey, however, nailed Carse through midwicket with one of four fours in a 48-ball fifty also featuring a straight six off Jacob Bethell.Dangerman Maxwell exited when he slapped spinner Livingstone low to the safe hands of Carse at extra cover.The fourth match of the series is at Lord’s on Friday, with the last in Bristol on Sunday.BRIEF SCORESEngland 254 for 4 (Brook 110*, Jacks 84) beat Australia 304 for 7 (Carey 77*, Smith 60, Archer 2-67) by 46 runs (DLS method)