Manchester: England kept alive the one-day series against Australia by winning the third match by 93 runs at Old Trafford on Tuesday, thanks to a first ODI century by James Taylor and a stunning display of fielding in the reply.
James Taylor celebrates after reaching the 100-run mark.
Taylor held up one end in hitting 101 off 114 balls to allow Jason Roy (63) and Eoin Morgan (62) to make rapid contributions as England posted 300-8, its highest total so far this series.
England's catching was superb in Australia's chase, with Steven Finn diving to his right and taking a one-handed catch to dismiss captain Steven Smith. There were more gasps from the crowd when Roy caught Ashton Agar at the second attempt as he fell back.
Meanwhile in the cricket, Steven Finn did this: https://t.co/lTbgDxRUhe
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) September 8, 2015Recalled opener Aaron Finch top-scored with 53 as the Australians were dismissed for 207, ending their seven-match winning run against England in ODIs. Moeen Ali and Liam Plunkett took three wickets each in a tight overall bowling performance.
Aaron Finch raises his bat after reaching his half-century.
Australia leads the five-match series 2-1 as it looks to end the tour on a high, having lost the Ashes series 3-2 and also the one-off Twenty20 international. The fourth ODI is at Headingly on Friday.
Taylor's knock was the highest by an Englishman this season, and beat his previous best in ODIs of 98. The diminutive batsman scrambled a single to bring up his hundred before being caught on the slog in the final over, having scored five fours.
Moeen Ali celebrates after taking the wicket of Mitchell Starc. (Photos: AP)
Australia gave itself a chance by limiting the damage at the end of England's innings but came unstuck in the middle of its reply, failing to get away spinners Ali and Adil Rashid.
"Five for 70 off the two spin bowlers in 20 overs - you're not going to win many," Smith said.
Only a dashing 42 off 41 balls by Matthew Wade stopped England racking up an even bigger win. "We improved in the areas I asked the guys to. We wanted guys to make match-winning contributions and James did that. And there were some outstanding catches," England captain Morgan said.
