In the third and final one-day international, Australia defeated a worn-out England by 221 runs on Tuesday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to win the series 3-0.
England’s long tour came to an end with a crushing defeat at the same venue where they won the Twenty20 World Cup earlier this month, after losing by six wickets in Adelaide and by 72 runs in Sydney.
In a rain-hit game reduced to 48 overs, Australia made a formidable 355-5 on the back of Head’s 152 and Warner’s 106. Their 269-run partnership was the ninth-highest in 50-over cricket and the largest at the MCG.
England needed 364 runs to win under a DLS-adjusted target, which they never seemed to get against a disciplined attack led by Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Adam Zampa’s spin.
Additionally, a fascinating incident occurred during the match. England’s Olly Stone (4/85) bowled at Steve Smith with Australia on 324-3 after 45.2. Smith attempted a ramp scoop against the short ball. As the ball got to Jos Buttler, the wicketkeeper, there was a faint edge.
Regarding the match, Dawid Malan was promoted to open for England alongside Jason Roy, but he was run out for two by Hazlewood. Phil Salt was sidelined for a concussion test after hitting his head while fielding.
The batsmen were held to just 49-1 in the first ten overs, well below the required run rate.
Roy was bowled out for 33 by Cummins, and Sam Billings was bowled out for seven by Cummins. James Vince hit 22 of 45 balls before Sean Abbott overcame his resistance.
England’s hopes were dashed when Moeen Ali (18) and Chris Woakes, England’s skipper, were bowled out by Zampa in consecutive balls. Zampa went 4-31 at the end.
Regarding the World Cup victory, he stated, “You don’t need long memories to remember the scenes here last week.”
After missing the Sydney match, Buttler returned and won the toss, asking Australia to bat, only to be met with an exhibition from Head and Warner.
Head solidified his position at the top of the order after Aaron Finch retired with his third one-day century and highest score, scoring off 130 balls with 16 fours and four sixes.
Head survived a missed catch on number four and was given out lbw on number nine, which he successfully challenged, in overcast and cool conditions.
But as he and Warner took full control, he settled down, resulting in their second 100-run partnership in three games.
The rain stopped play for 30 minutes, but the two teams resumed where they left off, with Head rushing to his century and Chris Woakes scoring a four to reach the mark. Soon after, Warner crushed Olly Stone to the ropes and scored his 19th ODI ton.
The persistent stone finally ended the partnership, taking Warner and Head in the same over and ending with 4-85 after taking out Steve Smith for 21 and Mitchell Marsh for 30.