England vs Australia: Harry Brook hits first one-day international century to lead hosts to victory
Captain Harry Brook hit a superb first one-day international century as England beat Australia in the third match to breathe life into their new era of white-ball cricket.
Chasing 305 knowing defeat would give Australia the series, stand-in skipper Brook hit 110 not out to guide his side to a 46-run victory via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern Method.
England were 254-4, on course for victory needing 51 runs from 74 balls, when rain curtailed the finish in Chester-le-Street.
Such a scenario looked distant when England were 11-2, the pressure on after heavy defeats in the previous two matches, but Brook started carefully and compiled a perfectly-paced knock with 13 fours and two sixes.
He put on 156 with Will Jacks and when Jacks fell for an elegant 84 from 82, Brook went on to reach his century in 87 balls.
A cameo from Liam Livingstone, who hit 33 from 20, ensured England were well ahead of the DLS par score of 208 when the rain arrived.
Brook’s knock meant England did not a rue a poor end to their bowling innings that allowed Australia to post 304-7.
The hosts can now level the five-match series at 2-2 in the fourth ODI at Lord’s on Friday.
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