Ponting’s 27th ton helps Australia beat England in fifth ODI

NOTTINGHAM - Ricky Ponting scored a brilliant 126 of 109 balls to keep Australia in the hunt for a 7-0 whitewash of their one-day series against England, leading his side to a four-wicket victory in the fifth one-day international at Trent Bridge on Tuesday.

Ponting’s 27th ton in ODIs included three sixes and 14 fours, as Australia raced to 302 for six wickets with 10 balls to spare in reply to England’s total of 299 from their 50 overs.

He was well supported by deputy Michael Clarke, who reached 52 off 64.

Irishman Eoin Morgan’s maiden half-century steered England to their best score of the series in a dead rubber after Australia clinched the series 4-0 at Lord’s on Saturday.

Mitchell Johnson brought up the winning runs with a six off Ryan Sidebottom to remain unbeaten on 18, while Cameron White was not out 24.

Poor fielding frustrated England captain Andrew Struass, who demanded improvement from his batsmen after the first four matches.

“Our batters went out and played with a much more bold approach and that paid dividends today. The fielding was poor and that’s something that there should be no excuse for, we do a lot of work on the fielding and we should be better than that,” Fox Sports quoted Strauss, as saying.

The tourists rested Brett Lee, who claimed five wickets in the previous match, replacing him with fellow pacer Peter Siddle.

England brought in Mascarenhas for Luke Wright, who was hit on the toe on Monday while batting against a bowling machine set to mimic Lee’s inswinging yorkers which proved so effective last weekend.(ANI)