So, we got the exciting finish we wanted, and we even saw England post a score over 300. Unfortunately for the tourists, those who suggested England were 30-40 runs short at the interval were proved right, as Steve Smith saw Australia home in his first ODI as captain.
Next up, it's Australia v India at the SCG on Monday - Australia Day - and if you're up with the lark, you can listen to commentary on TMS from 03:00 GMT. Then, when the series moves to Perth, it's England v India on Friday with TMS commentary and live text right here. Until then, enjoy your weekend (check out the new cricket show "Stumped" on the BBC World Service) and may the magic of the FA Cup be with you.
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A couple of last entries for the Bird XI
Terry in Burnhope, Co Durham: Dominic Stork.
Matthew Wilson: What about Jason Galahspie?
I'll leave you to keep "tweeting" on that one.
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Chris White: Haddin gets England again. Anyone else sick of the sight of him?
djpauly: What a finish! Took it to the penultimate ball. Congrats Australia but very well played England.
Alec: Why didn't Tredwell play? Would've built up pressure in the middle overs and given fast bowlers a rest before the death.
Post update
England batsman Ian Bell on Sky Sports: "The guys were disappointed not to get 340-350 but there were some good things to take out of it. There was a lot of reverse swing, Starc was excellent, there's something to learn from but credit to Australia, they were outstanding and Smith's in a great run of form.
"A good game of cricket, if we can push on to 350s in this World Cup we will give ourselves a good chance. I'm really enjoying being at the top of the order when you get full value for shots, that's where I prefer to be, but I think we're in a good place as a team."
Post update
And if we didn't make it clear after that stunning finale, Australia are now definitely through to the tri-series final in Perth with a game to spare, as they can't be caught by England and India. The table looks like this:
Australia - Played 3, Won 3, Bonus points 1, Points 13
England - Played 3, Won 1, Lost 2, BP 1, Points 5
India - Played 2, Lost 2, BP 0, Points 0
Remaining fixtures:
Mon 26 Jan: Australia v India (Sydney)
Fri 30 Jan: England v India (Perth)
Sun 1 Feb: Final - Australia v England or India (Perth)
Captain's view
More from Australia captain Steve Smith: "We timed our chase pretty well, we let it got a little later than we'd liked but a lot of credit has to go to our bowlers for keeping them to 300 when we were staring down the barrel of 350.
"The way we pulled it back was outstanding. Hopefully we can keep that up going into the World Cup. Brad Haddin was outstanding and really took the pressure off me at the end."
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Captain's view
England captain Eoin Morgan: "It wasn't a bad day in general. Ian Bell played a magnificent role but ultimately the last 10 overs let us down.
"Australia bowled really well late on and took advantage of the reverse swing that was available. 300 was about par. If they hadn't bowled that well at the end we might have got 350. Credit to Australia - they fought right through and played better cricket than us.
"We'll grow in confidence in certain stages of our game. We want to win the tri-series but it's good preparation for the World Cup."
Post update
Ebony makes a good point - Australia had four players in their XI today in Shaun Marsh, Cameron White, Moises Henriques and Gurinder Sandhu who are not even in their World Cup squad. While White bagged a duck and Henriques looked a bit nervy at the end, Sandhu was the pick of Australia's bowlers and Marsh gave Australia a great start at the top of the order.
On Twitter: Batted Smith and Haddin... And that's an Aussie team missing half their players!
Man of the match
Australia captain Steve Smith: "It was nice to get home in the end. Brad Haddin came out and took the pressure off and cleared the fence a couple of time. I feel good at the moment. Hopefully it keeps up for me."
"We gave a few too many boundaries away early on but our bowlers came back really well at the end and only went for six an over in the last 10."
Australia wicketkeeper Brad Haddin: "We were probably a batsman light, but this is a good wicket and you expect the top order to do what they did tonight.
"I'm enjoying this one-day format. It's good playing games under pressure, which is what you need going into the World Cup."
Man of the match
Australia captain Steve Smith is named as man of the match for his unbeaten 102. But surely a mention in despatches for Ian Bell, hitting 141 in a losing cause as well as holding three smart catches.
Post update
So, we got an exciting finish in the end - one that didn't look likely when Haddin and Smith were in full cry. Australia can book their hotel rooms for the tri-series final in Perth.
"That is a game of cricket. This is what cricket is about - get it into the last over. Woakes finished off really well but Starc hit it into the wicket, which forced it to bounce over the fielder.
"Credit to England for toughing that out. They could have very easily thrown their arms in. We've got a series here, which is terrific."
Champagne moment
AUSTRALIA BEAT ENGLAND BY THREE WICKETS WITH ONE BALL TO SPARE
Aus 304-7
Starc chops the ball over Bopara at short cover, Australia win with a ball to spare.
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Post update
Left-hander Starc to face. Buttler calls for his helmet, he's going to stand up to the stumps. Shades of Hampshire's Michael Bates and his last-ball stumping off Kabir Ali in the 2012 CB40 final?
Aus 303-7 (target 304)
Mitchell Starc the new batsman, he's non-striker. Smith steers a single to cow corner. Scores level. Two balls left.
"England have a massive sniff. Henriques really clammed up there. If I'm the cameraman in his face as he's walking off, I'd be careful of a flying cricket bat."
WICKET
Henriques run out (Taylor direct hit) 4 (Aus 302-7)
Yorker, Henriques hits and runs, Taylor shies at the stumps at the bowler's end and hits!
Australia need two from three balls. They can't choke it from here, can they?
Again, Henriques straight to Morgan at cover - dot. With Smith out of his ground, Morgan throws, Moeen backs up. Direct hit would have run him out. Two from four.
Aus 302-6 (target 304)
Fielders up saving one. Woakes to bowl. Henriques defends to cover. Dot ball, two from five.
Aus 302-6 (target 304)
Mid-on goes back. Henriques knocks it through the gap at mid-wicket for two, to push the total past 300 and reduce the deficit to three from eight balls. Henriques can't get the fifth ball away, he straight-drives the last to long-on, but he'll only get one. England have taken it to the last over - with two needed and Henriques on strike.
Aus 299-6 (target 304)
Henriques hits the first two balls of Anderson's last over straight to extra cover. Dot ball each time. And he then defends the third. Five from nine.
Smith knocks a single to bring Moises Henriques on strike for the first time. He can only manage one off the last ball - Australia need five from 12 balls, with Henriques on strike.
But after facing a leg-side wide, Haddin can't see it through, trying to uppercut a slower-ball bouncer over third man, but only succeeds in hoisting it to point where Ian Bell, running back, takes his third catch of the day. Haddin made 42 from 29 balls, Australia need seven from 15 balls.
"Smith came in and controlled the game from ball one. He has picked up the ones and hit boundaries when he's had to."
Smith 100
Aus 296-5
Broad or Woakes? Woakes gets the nod - and a pulled single brings Smith his century from 93 balls. Gamechanger. Eight to win.
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Aus 295-5 (target 304)
A hard-run two to deep mid-wicket takes Smith to 98, he aims another aggressive pull shot but this time he can only run one. He gets the strike, though - nine more needed from 18 balls.
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akshay apte: Jackson Bird has to be the captain of the Bird XI hands down.
Close!
Aus 292-5
England need some magic from James Anderson. Haddin launches one into the night sky, Steven Finn dashes back from mid-off but it lands safely just out of his reach. Then run two. A single reduces the target to 18 from 22 balls. Smith then stands-and-delivers, hoisting a huge straight six over the bowler's head. Now it's 12 from 21 needed - can he do it in two shots?
"I really thought England had a great chance at 303. But Haddin has come out and changed the game and Steve Smith has continued on with his Test form. He has done it so easy - it reminds me of a net session."
Aus 283-5 (Smith 90*, Haddin 39*)
Broad to continue - suddenly it's Smith playing the supporting role as Haddin picks the ball up off middle stump for a first-bounce four over square leg, while another diving stop on the rope, this time by Root on the extra cover boundary, restricts him to three off the next. Smith moves to 90 with a single, but with only 22 needed, Haddin is more than capable of winning this match on his own and leaving his captain stranded in the nineties... A single off the last ball takes Haddin to 39 from 25 balls, and leaves the Aussies needing 21 from 24.
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James Trafford: Looks like the lack of runs at the end of England's innings will be the difference!
Aus 272-5 (target 304)
Another big blast from Haddin, this time it's over mid-on for a first-bounce four. He's then hit on the glove by a powerful lifter from Finn, dropping it at his feet and scurrying through for a single. So Finn's figures are a little dented, he finishes with 2-65 and Australia need 32 from 30 balls - they must be favourites now.
"This is brilliant batting from Brad Haddin. He can bat anywhere and he's batting like the old finisher, Michael Bevan. Australia are cruising again and rushing towards a win."
Finn to bowl his last over. Smith has been stuck on 87 - a number unlucky for Australians - for an over and a half, but finally moves off it when he bashes a single over the covers. Haddin goes for the big one over the bowler's head, that's high, wide, handsome... and six!
Haddin gives himself room and delicately angles a four to the empty third man boundary, but Broad responds with a brute of a yorker which Haddin can only dig out. However, the next ball is a full toss which Haddin helps away for another four backward of point. There's a comedy moment when a rather portly fan leans over the fence to try to retrieve the ball, and takes a tumble to the crowd's delight. A single means it's nine off the over, all to Haddin, and Australia need 45 from 36 balls.
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Martin Nash: Win, lose or draw, I am just happy to see a basic level of competency and competitiveness from the England one-day side.
Aus 250-5 (target 304)
Finn into his ninth over, Smith knocks a single, while an agricultural blast towards cow corner from Haddin brings the Aussie keeper three. But Finn is giving it everything here, keeping Smith tied down with three dot balls. The requirement: 54 from 42 balls.
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Bird XI
John in Twickenham: Have we had Alastair Cook-oo yet?
Glen in Leeds: Kevin Tweetersen.
Adam in Manchester: Geoffrey Boycoot has to open.
Aus 246-5 (Smith 86*, Haddin 6*)
Stuart Broad, with 0-34 from six overs, returns in place of Woakes. Smith confidently cuts him for four before nudging a two to fine leg. Captain Morgan confers with keeper Buttler between deliveries, but Captain Smith is steering the good ship Australia on an excellent course at the moment. With 58 from 48 balls needed, Australia might like to reflect on the fact that England were 254-4 at this stage - but then the boundaries dried up.
Steven Finn returns as England keep Anderson's last two overs in reserve. If we don't see Bopara again, the match will be won or lost by England's pace quartet. Haddin lofts Finn down the ground, but Anderson cuts it off and they can only run three. Smith is going at more than a run-a-ball (79 from 74), despite only having hit five fours, while Broad matches Anderson's fielding heroics with a tumbling stop to turn a likely four into three off the last ball of the over. 65 from 54 is Australia's target.
Woakes to continue for his eighth over, he keeps it tight and the Aussies can only manage three singles. Australia need 74 from 10 overs to win - I'll leave you to work out the required run rate at this stage.
Smith continues to pounce on anything wide, forcing Anderson for four through cover point off the back foot. A two and a single take him to 72 - the target is 77 from 66 balls, and we're done with the powerplay.
David Fisher: Paul CollingWoodPigeon for the Bird XI? I'll get my coat.
Aus 220-5 (Smith 65*, Haddin 1*)
Brad Haddin, who'll be the oldest wicketkeeper at the forthcoming World Cup, has 115 ODIs under his belt before today - and would surely have played many, many more had he not been competing for a place behind the timbers with a certain Adam Gilchrist. Indeed, he played as a pure batsman for nine ODIs in his early career,
Haddin dabs a single to third man to get off the mark, while Smith - upon whom much now depends - guides a three through mid-wicket, it was nearly four but James Anderson stopped it just in front of the rope.
"That looks like it just have held in the wicket. It's an impeccable length from Chris Woakes, who got punished earlier on but is now reaping his rewards."
WICKET
Faulkner c Bell b Woakes 35 (Aus 216-5)
And as before, England need a wicket... and get one. Woakes has Faulkner prodding forward and Ian Bell takes a good low catch at point.
James Taylor: How has James 'Falcon'er not been mentioned yet?
Aus 216-4 (target 304)
It's almost a repeat of the last over - three singles, then the bowler (this time Anderson) drifts onto the batsman's legs (this time Smith) and the ball disappears for four. 88 from 78 needed... and in modern T20 times, that's an absolute breeze when you have wickets in hand. This pair have added 55.
"James Faulkner seems to stay in the contest as long as he can - and waits for the other person to blink before he does. He's 24 years of age and has got a lot of cricket ahead of him."
Aus 209-4 (Smith 57*, Faulkner 33*)
Woakes, with 0-37 from his first five overs, will share powerplay bowling duties with Anderson, initially at least. Smith and Faulkner plunder three singles before Woakes spears one in at the pads and Faulkner fluently glances it down the leg side for four. A single takes him to 33 from 38 balls. Smith has 57 from 58, and the Aussies need 96 from 84.
"I've been really impressed with the make-up of this England team. There seems to be a lot more flexibility than in previous teams. They used to play quite a structured, a predictable game, so when that didn't come off, they didn't have anywhere to turn. Now they have options with the ball. It's that flexibility that makes them a dark horse going into the World Cup."
Drinks break
And on that note, they're going to take drinks. Stand by your beds for the denouement.
Powerplay
Aus 201-4 (target 304)
Australia take the batting powerplay (an over before they would be obliged to) - and England throw the ball to their bowling talisman James Anderson. Faulkner and Smith's approach is to take a single apiece on the leg side, while Faulkner takes on the arm of Joe Root on the mid-wicket boundary as he hustles back for a well-run two which pushes the hosts past 200. 103 from 90 balls is the target.
With the batting powerplay on the horizon, Smith and Faulkner keep the scoreboard ticking against Finn. England seem to have found a wicket each time Australia have threatened today - but they need another one now, with the target down to 107 from 96 balls.
So, Moeen will bowl out here - and still operating in ones and twos, Smith reaches his fourth ODI half-century from 51 balls. But his conversion rate bears good comparison with anyone - of the five previous times he has passed 50 in this format, he's twice gone on to three figures.
In fact, Smith had never passed 50 in an ODI until last October. His scores since then: 101, 12, 77, 10, 73 not out, 104, 67, 37 and 47.
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Bird XI
Simon Bougourd: With this Bird XI, no doubt Phil 'Cat' Tufnell wouldn't be far away.
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Aus 186-4 (Smith 46*, Faulkner 21*)
A change of ends for Steven Finn, but Faulkner check-drives him back past the stumps for three. Smith is closing on a half-century, taking it in singles, but Faulkner leans into a fuller delivery and drills it for four through extra cover. 118 more needed from 18 overs - or, if you prefer, 108 balls.
Remembering the destructive power that James Faulkner showed in the ODIs against England a year ago, this game is still too close to call definitively at this stage. Faulkner shows his keenness to despatch anything loose by punching Moeen through mid-wicket for four. A single brings Smith on strike, but the Aussie captain is briefly becalmed. He has 44 from 46 balls. Moeen has 2-45 from nine.
Smith knocks Broad for a single. Faulkner pushes him into the covers, Taylor swoops and throws to the striker's end as Smith sends him back, and the throw just misses the stumps when a direct hit would have seen Faulkner back in the hutch - particularly as the blade of his bat was in the air rather than on the ground. Australia need 133 more from 20 overs.
Aus 169-4 (target 304)
Moeen wheels away for his eighth over. I wonder if we'll see Joe Root bowl today, even if the two off-spinners don't bowl in tandem. Under a lilac sky - not quite the bright purple sported by Tim Bresnan and the Hobart Hurricanes side in the Big Bash - Australia can only add two singles to their score.
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Bird XI
Steve T: I guess David Loon at no. 3 doesn't really count...
Aus 167-4 (Smith 42*, Faulkner 6*)
England continue to rotate their pace attack as Broad replaces Woakes, Faulkner bides his time before Broad gives him enough width to drive him for four to the extra cover boundary. An edged single allows him to keep the strike. England were 169-2 at this stage.
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Simon Tinmouth: Wow, an Aussie playing a typical English shoot yourselves in the foot shot.
Adz wire Gibo: That's why Glenn Maxwell will only ever be a T20 player.
Aus 162-4 (target 304)
James Faulkner, another local hero from Tasmania, is in at number six - he's only batted that high in three of his 35 previous ODIs, with the majority of his appearances coming at number eight. But a big opportunity for him to show his all-round credentials today. He's off the mark with a single.
"That's disappointing from Maxwell. Smith will be shaking his head thinking 'we had this game under control'. It's a brain fade from Maxwell. I thought he was learning, getting his head down. But he snaps, he has to play that big shot."
WICKET
Maxwell c Root b Moeen 37 (Aus 161-4)
And just when it was all going so well for Australia and Maxwell was looking dangerous, he holes out as he toe-ends a slog-sweep and is caught by Joe Root with both hands above his head on the mid-wicket boundary. With the score rattling along at a run a ball, which they were getting anyway, did he really need to do that?
Ominous progress from Smith and Maxwell, taking singles at will against Woakes, while Maxwell has nearly caught his captain up, pulling the Warwickshire seamer for four. Nine from the over, the required rate still a shade over six, as it's been nearly all innings.
Finn takes a rest and Moeen Ali has changed ends, returning for his sixth over. With long-on and long-off back, there are singles to be had all around the wicket, but particularly straight past the bowler. Five singles from Moeen's over, he has 1-34 from six. We're halfway through the innings. England were 150-2 at this stage - virtually nothing in it.
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Scotty Reynolds: Is it too early to ask... Did James Anderson just drop the World Cup?
Aus 144-3 (Smith 33*, Maxwell 29*)
Bopara is taken off after that one expensive over, and England turn back to Chris Woakes. Four singles mean Maxwell and Smith have now added 52 in seven-and-a-half overs.
Meanwhile, Cameron White really can't complain about that lbw earlier. The TV replay has been played numerous times, with the ball-tracker showing the ball hitting the middle of middle stump. (No DRS in this series, but there will be for the World Cup).
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O'Boogie: I remember way back in 2013 when every Australian thought Steve Smith was rubbish.
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Aus 140-3 (target 304)
As the sun sets over Tasmania's mountains, Finn has the bearded Maxwell playing and missing, betraying his lack of footwork, and the tall Middlesex paceman comes closer than anyone else today to bowling a maiden - keeping Maxwell under wraps for five dot balls before he manages a single off the last.
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Bird XI
Chris in Leeds: Allan Birder? Or how about Orville Pennant? (Jamaican wicketkeeper).
Aus 139-3 (Smith 31*, Maxwell 26*)
Moeen off, Ravi Bopara to bowl - he took a bit of stick from some of you on Twitter earlier, after a rather scratchy seven from 16 balls when the boundaries dried up for England at the end of their innings. But Maxwell opens the face to guide Bopara's first ball for four through third man, and also expertly helps a loose delivery down to fine leg for four. Not Ravi's day so far, 11 from the over. England were 131-1 at this stage.
"I pick Bopara as a dangerous bowler on this wicket. Little off-pace deliveries, even with a bit of reverse swing."
Aus 128-3 (target 304)
Smith is moving up through the gears here, Finn's looking for another lbw but Smith is working the ball around well, while Maxwell, though more unorthodox, is progressing well too. The required rate is just about the same as it was at the start of the innings - just over six an over. Maxwell's bat gets some tape affixed to it at the end of the over.
Scorecard update
Australia 120-3 (20 overs) - target 304
Batsmen: Smith 24*, Maxwell 14*
Fall of wickets: 76-1 (Finch 32), 92-2 (Marsh 45), 92-3 (White 0)
Bowling figures: Woakes 3-0-24-0, Anderson 5-0-23-0, Broad 4-0-27-0, Moeen 5-0-29-1, Finn 3-0-14-2
Smith and Maxwell milk Moeen for a couple of easy singles apiece, then stand-in skipper Smith (deputising for the suspended George Bailey, himself deputising for the injured Michael Clarke) executes a perfectly timed cut shot for his third four. A single takes him to 24.
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Bird XI
Laurie Armitt: Alan Knott surely.
Andrew Johns: Cameron White should be in the Bird XI after that second baller!
Aus 111-3 (target 304)
Maxwell takes on Finn, thrashing him for four through the covers and tapping a two through the same region. The Hobart floodlights are on - they'll be needed today, in contrast to England's win over Imdia in Brisbane where they barely needed to switch them on.
Neither Maxwell nor Smith will allow themselves to get bogged down against the spinner, plundering plenty of singles against Moeen - and Smith has the touch of a man in form with a well-placed cut for four past backward point.
"That was moving. Anderson fields in the slips and rarely you see him put them down. He had to move a long way to his left and he just got a hand to it, but it went down."
Maxwell dropped on 2
Aus 95-3 (target 304)
Glenn Maxwell is the new batsman - can "The Big Show" dig Australia out of a bit of a hole here? He's off the mark with a two, but is then dropped by James Anderson at short mid-wicket as he tries to force the ball off his legs. They run one. Finn has 2-8 from two overs, make that 7-41 for the tri-series - and it was so nearly 8-40.
"It was quite a full ball, shaping a little. There's no doubt it was going on to hit leg stump. Cameron White fails to take his opportunity. It's early in the innings to talk of reverse swing, but that definitely arced in."
WICKET
White lbw Finn 0 (Aus 92-3)
New batsman Cameron White, playing his first ODI since 9 April 2011, is crunched on the front pad by a full delivery from Finn, and departs leg before wicket for a second-ball duck, having groped and missed at his first ball. "Add two wickets to the score," I hear Geoffrey saying.
"That's a typical left-hander's wicket, a fast bowler angling the ball across, taking the edge and the ball going to point. Shaun Marsh looked in good touch, he would have wanted a big score."
Finn makes a big breakthrough as a flashing drive from the left-handed Marsh sees him caught by the delighted Bell at point. Bell throws the ball into the Tasmanian sky to celebrate.
"Australia won't mind if the rate gets up to seven or eight. White, Maxwell, Haddin, Faulkner are all to come and they can hit the ball. Marsh and Smith will be happy to knock the ball around for the next 15 overs or so."
Aus 92-1 (S Marsh 45*, Smith 11*)
Moeen Ali has been the most economical bowler on either side today, curious how both sides left their specialist spinners carrying the drinks today. Just two singles means the Worcestershire twirler has 1-9 from three overs.
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Bird XI
Rachel T: I suppose Graeme Swann might come out of retirement.
Pete Bancroft: Umar Gul and Jackson Bird to open the bowling?
Aus 90-1 (target 304)
England turn to Steven Finn, fresh from his career-best figures of 5-33 against India at the Gabba, and playing his 50th ODI today. But his second delivery is drilled back past mid-on for four by Smith, who's had a golden international (southern hemisphere) summer with the bat, and seems to be Michael Clarke's anointed successor for when the Australia captain's dodgy back and hamstrings finally curtail his own career. A single takes him into double figures.
Post update
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Aus 85-1 (S Marsh 43*, Smith 3*)
Marsh and Smith find easier pickings against Moeen than they did against Broad. An even six from the over - five singles and a leg bye.
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Bird XI
Andrew Dicks: Neil Hawke.
Nigel Voaden: Hunter "Stork" Hendry!
Aus 79-1 (target 304)
Finch's departure has knocked the stuffing out of Australia temporarily, just two singles are taken from Broad's fourth over.
Stand-in skipper Steve Smith is in at number three for Australia - I hope he's woken up a little, I saw him yawning earlier while sitting waiting to bat. He's off the mark with a single.
"It looked like he may have attempted to flight that a little more. Finch's eyes lit up, trying to hit it out to deep mid-wicket. There was turn too. The spinner could make a huge impact here."
Spin it to win it! Off-spinner Moeen Ali makes the breakthrough - tempting Aaron Finch into a big slog and flighting a perfect off-break to hit the top of the right-hander's leg stump.
"England haven't bowled badly, but they need to do some damage in the next 10 overs. If Australia score at this rate and don't lose any wickets, they will be right on top."
Aus 74-1 (target 304)
Broad in for his third over, but England fans will be worrying where the wickets are going to come from. Finch and Marsh keep plugging away with ones and twos, while 12th man Chris Jordan is on the field - not sure who he's replaced.
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Bird XI
Matthew Gill: Robin Smith at 3?
Scorecard update
Australia 67-0 (10 overs) - target 304
Batsmen: Finch 25*, Marsh 39*
Bowling figures: Woakes 3-0-24-0, Anderson 5-0-23-0, Broad 2-0-18-0
Marsh and Finch take a single apiece, but Anderson keeps it tighter by bowling outside off stump rather than straying onto the leg side. That's it for the powerplay - England were 69-0 at this stage.
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Harry in Spalding: Got a great batting line-up now with Bell opening, it is now up the bowlers to play like the last game.
Aus 65-0 (target 304)
As ever, a right-hand/left-hand opening combination means plenty of work for the fielders, while the bowlers sometimes struggle to hold line and length. Finch aims one high into the Tasmanian sky but it falls short of the extra-cover boundary and Messrs Woakes and Taylor combine to retrieve the ball and restrict the batsmen to three. A wild bouncer down the leg side is helped on its way for four by Marsh, who nicks the strike to move to 38 from 31 balls.
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Simon Bougourd: Bird XI: Finch and Crowe to open. Who's next?
Dickie Bird to umpire. Over to you for the rest of the XI... send in your "tweets"!
Aus 54-0 (Finch 20*, S Marsh 31*)
It's not quite happening for Anderson today as Australia keep plugging away with ones and twos with apparent ease. England need wickets.
"The trouble with Shaun Marsh is his best and his worst is too far apart. His worst is barely first-class standard and he has had some real slumps. People clearly rate his talent but unfortunately we don't see his best enough."
Woakes is off after three overs for 24, and England turn to Stuart Broad, still sporting the shortest haircut in the side. Marsh continues to accumulate with a two and a single off his legs - England seem to keep bowling to him there - while the gum-chewing Finch gets up on one leg to powerfully pull Broad for four. The Aussies are racing along here. (By comparison, England were 45-0 at this stage).
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Chris: Coming into a World Cup there is always a team that nobody fancies but who just come into form at the right time. Just saying.
Aus 42-0 (Finch 12*, S Marsh 27*)
Like Australia's pace spearhead Mitchell Starc earlier, James Anderson isn't finding much swing here, so switches to bowling round the wicket to the left-handed Marsh, and it has limited success - in so far as Marsh is kept quiet for three dot balls before he adds a two and a single.
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Mark Savile: Waking up to see 303 on the board, Murray through and Federer out... should have stayed up last night.
Aus 39-0 (target 304)
After knocking a two to leg, Marsh aims a powerful straight drive at Woakes, but the Warwickshire seamer gets down well to get his left hand to the ball and take the sting out of it. But Marsh responds with another lovely cover-driven four, while a strike-stealing single takes him to 24 from 17.
Batting at number six, she made an unbeaten 21 as the Scorpions scraped past a lowly target of 90 with three wickets in hand against Queensland.
South Australia will face defending champions New South Wales, who boast Australia all-rounder Ellyse Perry in their ranks, in Sunday's 50-over final in Sydney.
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Aus 32-0 (Finch 12*, S Marsh 17*)
Now it's Finch's turn to drive Anderson to distraction, tucking him through the covers for four before helping himself to a quick single. Marsh moves to 17 from 11 balls with a single.
"Those are three of the best cricket shots you could see. Shaun Marsh would walk into any other ODI side in the world and should walk into the Australia World Cup squad if someone falls over."
Aus 26-0 (target 304)
Single from Finch, then Shaun Marsh - perhaps with a point to prove after his omission from the World Cup squad - tucks into Woakes with two on-driven fours, and another one laced through the covers for four more.
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James in Durham: 51 runs off the last nine overs just isn't good enough to win a World Cup. England did everything right until the business end of the innings, where they should be burying Australia at 10 an over. Now I can see Australia chasing this down unless England bowl out of their skin.
Aus 13-0 (Finch 6*, S Marsh 4*)
James Anderson - breaking Alec Stewart's record today for the most England international appearance across all three formats - to bowl from the Northern End, and Finch pushes his first ball for a single. Jimmy's radar isn't quite attuned against the left-handed Marsh, as he fires in a legside wide before another delivery on the pads is leg-glances for four, and another one on his legs results in a leg bye. Finch busily pushes the last ball for one. With a required rate of just over six an over, the Aussies are on course.
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Tattz: What matters most is that this England team are improving & confidence is building, whatever the result today. A few early wickets would be nice though.
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Aus 5-0 (target 304)
Australia to chase 304, Woakes to bowl with two slips in - and Aaron Finch crashes the first ball of the innings through the covers for four. Second slip stifles an appeal as Finch tries to force Woakes through the leg side, and they trot through for a leg bye.
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BBCCopyright: BBC
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Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh are opening for Australia, Chris Woakes taking the (first) new ball.
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Players are taking the field again - if Australia can score 304, I'd reckon they'll have one foot in the final. But I can almost hear Geoffrey saying, you never judge a pitch until you've seen both teams bat on it...
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England batsman Jonathan Trott on TMS: "Sometimes at number three you can sit there and live every ball and maybe work yourself up too much, whereas as an opener you know you have just got to go out there and bat, that's your job. So in some ways [being an opener] is actually better."
billybunter3rd: Fell away badly last 8 overs once Bell & Root went. Buttler/Morgan/Bopara 'big hitters' to finish innings eh?
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Another snippet of news from yesterday you may not have seen - the MCC have announced their squad for the annual Champion County match, where they will face Yorkshire in a four-day day/night game in Abu Dhabi. A chap by the name of Alastair Nathan Cook is included, while there will be a familiar look to the top three as he will be joined by captain Nick Compton and Michael Carberry - two men who were briefly Cook's Test opening partner before being discarded.
Live Reporting
Mark Mitchener
All times stated are UK
Get involved
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So, we got the exciting finish we wanted, and we even saw England post a score over 300. Unfortunately for the tourists, those who suggested England were 30-40 runs short at the interval were proved right, as Steve Smith saw Australia home in his first ODI as captain.
Next up, it's Australia v India at the SCG on Monday - Australia Day - and if you're up with the lark, you can listen to commentary on TMS from 03:00 GMT. Then, when the series moves to Perth, it's England v India on Friday with TMS commentary and live text right here. Until then, enjoy your weekend (check out the new cricket show "Stumped" on the BBC World Service) and may the magic of the FA Cup be with you.
Email tms@bbc.co.uk
A couple of last entries for the Bird XI
Terry in Burnhope, Co Durham: Dominic Stork.
Matthew Wilson: What about Jason Galahspie?
I'll leave you to keep "tweeting" on that one.
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Chris White: Haddin gets England again. Anyone else sick of the sight of him?
djpauly: What a finish! Took it to the penultimate ball. Congrats Australia but very well played England.
Alec: Why didn't Tredwell play? Would've built up pressure in the middle overs and given fast bowlers a rest before the death.
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England batsman Ian Bell on Sky Sports: "The guys were disappointed not to get 340-350 but there were some good things to take out of it. There was a lot of reverse swing, Starc was excellent, there's something to learn from but credit to Australia, they were outstanding and Smith's in a great run of form.
"A good game of cricket, if we can push on to 350s in this World Cup we will give ourselves a good chance. I'm really enjoying being at the top of the order when you get full value for shots, that's where I prefer to be, but I think we're in a good place as a team."
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And if we didn't make it clear after that stunning finale, Australia are now definitely through to the tri-series final in Perth with a game to spare, as they can't be caught by England and India. The table looks like this:
Remaining fixtures:
Captain's view
More from Australia captain Steve Smith: "We timed our chase pretty well, we let it got a little later than we'd liked but a lot of credit has to go to our bowlers for keeping them to 300 when we were staring down the barrel of 350.
"The way we pulled it back was outstanding. Hopefully we can keep that up going into the World Cup. Brad Haddin was outstanding and really took the pressure off me at the end."
Captain's view
England captain Eoin Morgan: "It wasn't a bad day in general. Ian Bell played a magnificent role but ultimately the last 10 overs let us down.
"Australia bowled really well late on and took advantage of the reverse swing that was available. 300 was about par. If they hadn't bowled that well at the end we might have got 350. Credit to Australia - they fought right through and played better cricket than us.
"We'll grow in confidence in certain stages of our game. We want to win the tri-series but it's good preparation for the World Cup."
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Ebony makes a good point - Australia had four players in their XI today in Shaun Marsh, Cameron White, Moises Henriques and Gurinder Sandhu who are not even in their World Cup squad. While White bagged a duck and Henriques looked a bit nervy at the end, Sandhu was the pick of Australia's bowlers and Marsh gave Australia a great start at the top of the order.
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Ebony Rainford-Brent
Ex-England batter
On Twitter: Batted Smith and Haddin... And that's an Aussie team missing half their players!
Man of the match
Australia captain Steve Smith: "It was nice to get home in the end. Brad Haddin came out and took the pressure off and cleared the fence a couple of time. I feel good at the moment. Hopefully it keeps up for me."
"We gave a few too many boundaries away early on but our bowlers came back really well at the end and only went for six an over in the last 10."
Close-of-play scorecard
Australia beat England by three wickets
England 303-8: Bell 141, Root 69, Moeen 46
Australia 304-7 (49.5 overs)
Batsmen: Smith 102*, Starc 1*
Fall of wickets: 76-1 (Finch 32), 92-2 (Marsh 45), 92-3 (White 0), 161-4 (Maxwell 37), 216-5 (Faulkner 35), 297-6 (Haddin 42), 302-7 (Henriques 4)
Bowling figures: Woakes 9.5-0-58-2, Anderson 10-0-56-0, Broad 9-0-61-0, Moeen 10-0-50-2, Finn 10-0-65-2, Bopara 1-0-11-0
Australia won toss
Scorecard
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Australia wicketkeeper Brad Haddin: "We were probably a batsman light, but this is a good wicket and you expect the top order to do what they did tonight.
"I'm enjoying this one-day format. It's good playing games under pressure, which is what you need going into the World Cup."
Man of the match
Australia captain Steve Smith is named as man of the match for his unbeaten 102. But surely a mention in despatches for Ian Bell, hitting 141 in a losing cause as well as holding three smart catches.
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So, we got an exciting finish in the end - one that didn't look likely when Haddin and Smith were in full cry. Australia can book their hotel rooms for the tri-series final in Perth.
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Brett Geeves
Ex-Australia pace bowler on BBC Test Match Special
"That is a game of cricket. This is what cricket is about - get it into the last over. Woakes finished off really well but Starc hit it into the wicket, which forced it to bounce over the fielder.
"Credit to England for toughing that out. They could have very easily thrown their arms in. We've got a series here, which is terrific."
Champagne moment
AUSTRALIA BEAT ENGLAND BY THREE WICKETS WITH ONE BALL TO SPARE
Aus 304-7
Starc chops the ball over Bopara at short cover, Australia win with a ball to spare.
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Left-hander Starc to face. Buttler calls for his helmet, he's going to stand up to the stumps. Shades of Hampshire's Michael Bates and his last-ball stumping off Kabir Ali in the 2012 CB40 final?
Aus 303-7 (target 304)
Mitchell Starc the new batsman, he's non-striker. Smith steers a single to cow corner. Scores level. Two balls left.
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Brett Geeves
Ex-Australia pace bowler on BBC Test Match Special
"England have a massive sniff. Henriques really clammed up there. If I'm the cameraman in his face as he's walking off, I'd be careful of a flying cricket bat."
WICKET
Henriques run out (Taylor direct hit) 4 (Aus 302-7)
Yorker, Henriques hits and runs, Taylor shies at the stumps at the bowler's end and hits!
Australia need two from three balls. They can't choke it from here, can they?
Scorecard
Aus 302-6 (target 304)
Again, Henriques straight to Morgan at cover - dot. With Smith out of his ground, Morgan throws, Moeen backs up. Direct hit would have run him out. Two from four.
Aus 302-6 (target 304)
Fielders up saving one. Woakes to bowl. Henriques defends to cover. Dot ball, two from five.
Aus 302-6 (target 304)
Mid-on goes back. Henriques knocks it through the gap at mid-wicket for two, to push the total past 300 and reduce the deficit to three from eight balls. Henriques can't get the fifth ball away, he straight-drives the last to long-on, but he'll only get one. England have taken it to the last over - with two needed and Henriques on strike.
Aus 299-6 (target 304)
Henriques hits the first two balls of Anderson's last over straight to extra cover. Dot ball each time. And he then defends the third. Five from nine.
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Bird XI
Mike Wooldridge: How about Moises HENriques?
dan j pinchy: Alastair Cook-aburra...
Tom Cridland: Chris Nightin-Gale.
Aus 299-6 (target 304)
Smith knocks a single to bring Moises Henriques on strike for the first time. He can only manage one off the last ball - Australia need five from 12 balls, with Henriques on strike.
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Brett Geeves
Ex-Australia pace bowler on BBC Test Match Special
"Haddin supported Smith beautifully - a superb innings - but where were the slower balls? Where were the change-ups?"
Listen to Test Match Special commentary on Radio 5 live sports extra
WICKET
Haddin c Bell b Woakes 42 (Aus 297-6)
But after facing a leg-side wide, Haddin can't see it through, trying to uppercut a slower-ball bouncer over third man, but only succeeds in hoisting it to point where Ian Bell, running back, takes his third catch of the day. Haddin made 42 from 29 balls, Australia need seven from 15 balls.
Scorecard
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Brett Geeves
Ex-Australia pace bowler on BBC Test Match Special
"Smith came in and controlled the game from ball one. He has picked up the ones and hit boundaries when he's had to."
Smith 100
Aus 296-5
Broad or Woakes? Woakes gets the nod - and a pulled single brings Smith his century from 93 balls. Gamechanger. Eight to win.
Aus 295-5 (target 304)
A hard-run two to deep mid-wicket takes Smith to 98, he aims another aggressive pull shot but this time he can only run one. He gets the strike, though - nine more needed from 18 balls.
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akshay apte: Jackson Bird has to be the captain of the Bird XI hands down.
Close!
Aus 292-5
England need some magic from James Anderson. Haddin launches one into the night sky, Steven Finn dashes back from mid-off but it lands safely just out of his reach. Then run two. A single reduces the target to 18 from 22 balls. Smith then stands-and-delivers, hoisting a huge straight six over the bowler's head. Now it's 12 from 21 needed - can he do it in two shots?
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Roger Woolley
Ex-Australia wicketkeeper on BBC Test Match Special
"I really thought England had a great chance at 303. But Haddin has come out and changed the game and Steve Smith has continued on with his Test form. He has done it so easy - it reminds me of a net session."
Aus 283-5 (Smith 90*, Haddin 39*)
Broad to continue - suddenly it's Smith playing the supporting role as Haddin picks the ball up off middle stump for a first-bounce four over square leg, while another diving stop on the rope, this time by Root on the extra cover boundary, restricts him to three off the next. Smith moves to 90 with a single, but with only 22 needed, Haddin is more than capable of winning this match on his own and leaving his captain stranded in the nineties... A single off the last ball takes Haddin to 39 from 25 balls, and leaves the Aussies needing 21 from 24.
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James Trafford: Looks like the lack of runs at the end of England's innings will be the difference!
Aus 272-5 (target 304)
Another big blast from Haddin, this time it's over mid-on for a first-bounce four. He's then hit on the glove by a powerful lifter from Finn, dropping it at his feet and scurrying through for a single. So Finn's figures are a little dented, he finishes with 2-65 and Australia need 32 from 30 balls - they must be favourites now.
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Jim Maxwell
BBC Test Match Special
"This is brilliant batting from Brad Haddin. He can bat anywhere and he's batting like the old finisher, Michael Bevan. Australia are cruising again and rushing towards a win."
Listen to Test Match Special commentary on Radio 5 live sports extra
Aus 267-5
Finn to bowl his last over. Smith has been stuck on 87 - a number unlucky for Australians - for an over and a half, but finally moves off it when he bashes a single over the covers. Haddin goes for the big one over the bowler's head, that's high, wide, handsome... and six!
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Bird XI
Darren Ellam: Alastair Rook.
John Williams: Jeremy Snipe.
Aus 259-5 (Smith 87*, Haddin 18*)
Haddin gives himself room and delicately angles a four to the empty third man boundary, but Broad responds with a brute of a yorker which Haddin can only dig out. However, the next ball is a full toss which Haddin helps away for another four backward of point. There's a comedy moment when a rather portly fan leans over the fence to try to retrieve the ball, and takes a tumble to the crowd's delight. A single means it's nine off the over, all to Haddin, and Australia need 45 from 36 balls.
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Martin Nash: Win, lose or draw, I am just happy to see a basic level of competency and competitiveness from the England one-day side.
Aus 250-5 (target 304)
Finn into his ninth over, Smith knocks a single, while an agricultural blast towards cow corner from Haddin brings the Aussie keeper three. But Finn is giving it everything here, keeping Smith tied down with three dot balls. The requirement: 54 from 42 balls.
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Bird XI
John in Twickenham: Have we had Alastair Cook-oo yet?
Glen in Leeds: Kevin Tweetersen.
Adam in Manchester: Geoffrey Boycoot has to open.
Aus 246-5 (Smith 86*, Haddin 6*)
Stuart Broad, with 0-34 from six overs, returns in place of Woakes. Smith confidently cuts him for four before nudging a two to fine leg. Captain Morgan confers with keeper Buttler between deliveries, but Captain Smith is steering the good ship Australia on an excellent course at the moment. With 58 from 48 balls needed, Australia might like to reflect on the fact that England were 254-4 at this stage - but then the boundaries dried up.
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Roger Woolley
Ex-Australia wicketkeeper on BBC Test Match Special
"Smith is the key, without doubt. Haddin will play the support role and knock the ball around, but Smith is going easily here."
Listen to Test Match Special commentary on Radio 5 live sports extra
Aus 239-5 (target 304)
Steven Finn returns as England keep Anderson's last two overs in reserve. If we don't see Bopara again, the match will be won or lost by England's pace quartet. Haddin lofts Finn down the ground, but Anderson cuts it off and they can only run three. Smith is going at more than a run-a-ball (79 from 74), despite only having hit five fours, while Broad matches Anderson's fielding heroics with a tumbling stop to turn a likely four into three off the last ball of the over. 65 from 54 is Australia's target.
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Ben Dunk
Australia batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"This game is really on a knife-edge at the moment. It might be worth a gamble to throw Ravi Bopara the ball for an over."
Listen to Test Match Special commentary on Radio 5 live sports extra
Scorecard update
Australia 230-5 (40 overs) - target 304
Batsmen: Smith 74*, Haddin 2*
Fall of wickets: 76-1 (Finch 32), 92-2 (Marsh 45), 92-3 (White 0), 161-4 (Maxwell 37), 216-5 (Faulkner 35)
Bowling figures: Woakes 8-0-52-1, Anderson 8-0-41-0, Broad 6-0-34-0, Moeen 10-0-50-2, Finn 7-0-39-2, Bopara 1-0-11-0
England 303-8: Bell 141, Root 69, Moeen 46
Australia won toss
Scorecard
Aus 230-5 (Smith 74*, Haddin 2*)
Woakes to continue for his eighth over, he keeps it tight and the Aussies can only manage three singles. Australia need 74 from 10 overs to win - I'll leave you to work out the required run rate at this stage.
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Bird XI
Matthew George: Quinton de Cock(erel).
Chris Brandon: JAYawardene.
Aus 227-5 (target 304)
Smith continues to pounce on anything wide, forcing Anderson for four through cover point off the back foot. A two and a single take him to 72 - the target is 77 from 66 balls, and we're done with the powerplay.
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Bird XI
Daniel Card: Danish Canary-a.
David Fisher: Paul CollingWoodPigeon for the Bird XI? I'll get my coat.
Aus 220-5 (Smith 65*, Haddin 1*)
Brad Haddin, who'll be the oldest wicketkeeper at the forthcoming World Cup, has 115 ODIs under his belt before today - and would surely have played many, many more had he not been competing for a place behind the timbers with a certain Adam Gilchrist. Indeed, he played as a pure batsman for nine ODIs in his early career,
Haddin dabs a single to third man to get off the mark, while Smith - upon whom much now depends - guides a three through mid-wicket, it was nearly four but James Anderson stopped it just in front of the rope.
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Ben Dunk
Australia batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"That looks like it just have held in the wicket. It's an impeccable length from Chris Woakes, who got punished earlier on but is now reaping his rewards."
WICKET
Faulkner c Bell b Woakes 35 (Aus 216-5)
And as before, England need a wicket... and get one. Woakes has Faulkner prodding forward and Ian Bell takes a good low catch at point.
Scorecard
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Charles Dagnall
BBC Test Match Special
"England need something to happen pretty soon, or Australia will find themselves cruising to a pretty comfortable victory here."
Listen to Test Match Special commentary on Radio 5 live sports extra
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Bird XI
James Taylor: How has James 'Falcon'er not been mentioned yet?
Aus 216-4 (target 304)
It's almost a repeat of the last over - three singles, then the bowler (this time Anderson) drifts onto the batsman's legs (this time Smith) and the ball disappears for four. 88 from 78 needed... and in modern T20 times, that's an absolute breeze when you have wickets in hand. This pair have added 55.
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Ben Dunk
Australia batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"James Faulkner seems to stay in the contest as long as he can - and waits for the other person to blink before he does. He's 24 years of age and has got a lot of cricket ahead of him."
Aus 209-4 (Smith 57*, Faulkner 33*)
Woakes, with 0-37 from his first five overs, will share powerplay bowling duties with Anderson, initially at least. Smith and Faulkner plunder three singles before Woakes spears one in at the pads and Faulkner fluently glances it down the leg side for four. A single takes him to 33 from 38 balls. Smith has 57 from 58, and the Aussies need 96 from 84.
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Ben Dunk
Australia batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"I've been really impressed with the make-up of this England team. There seems to be a lot more flexibility than in previous teams. They used to play quite a structured, a predictable game, so when that didn't come off, they didn't have anywhere to turn. Now they have options with the ball. It's that flexibility that makes them a dark horse going into the World Cup."
Drinks break
And on that note, they're going to take drinks. Stand by your beds for the denouement.
Powerplay
Aus 201-4 (target 304)
Australia take the batting powerplay (an over before they would be obliged to) - and England throw the ball to their bowling talisman James Anderson. Faulkner and Smith's approach is to take a single apiece on the leg side, while Faulkner takes on the arm of Joe Root on the mid-wicket boundary as he hustles back for a well-run two which pushes the hosts past 200. 103 from 90 balls is the target.
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Bird XI
Gambit: Hen McGrath to open the bowling.
Sam Withers: Inzamam-Ul-Hawk.
Aus 197-4 (Smith 54*, Faulkner 24*)
With the batting powerplay on the horizon, Smith and Faulkner keep the scoreboard ticking against Finn. England seem to have found a wicket each time Australia have threatened today - but they need another one now, with the target down to 107 from 96 balls.
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Charles Dagnall
BBC Test Match Special
"It's just building nicely here but you'd say Australia have just got the edge."
Listen to Test Match Special commentary on Radio 5 live sports extra
Smith 50
Aus 191-4 (target 304)
So, Moeen will bowl out here - and still operating in ones and twos, Smith reaches his fourth ODI half-century from 51 balls. But his conversion rate bears good comparison with anyone - of the five previous times he has passed 50 in this format, he's twice gone on to three figures.
In fact, Smith had never passed 50 in an ODI until last October. His scores since then: 101, 12, 77, 10, 73 not out, 104, 67, 37 and 47.
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Bird XI
Simon Bougourd: With this Bird XI, no doubt Phil 'Cat' Tufnell wouldn't be far away.
Aus 186-4 (Smith 46*, Faulkner 21*)
A change of ends for Steven Finn, but Faulkner check-drives him back past the stumps for three. Smith is closing on a half-century, taking it in singles, but Faulkner leans into a fuller delivery and drills it for four through extra cover. 118 more needed from 18 overs - or, if you prefer, 108 balls.
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Brett Geeves
Ex-Australia pace bowler on BBC Test Match Special
"Ali has been the difference between the sides so far. He has done it really well - he has changed his pace through the air nicely."
Listen to Test Match Special commentary on Radio 5 live sports extra
Aus 176-4 (target 304)
Remembering the destructive power that James Faulkner showed in the ODIs against England a year ago, this game is still too close to call definitively at this stage. Faulkner shows his keenness to despatch anything loose by punching Moeen through mid-wicket for four. A single brings Smith on strike, but the Aussie captain is briefly becalmed. He has 44 from 46 balls. Moeen has 2-45 from nine.
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Jim Maxwell
BBC Test Match Special
"If Smith is still there in the late-40 overs, Australia will win this. If England get him out, it's a different story."
Listen to Test Match Special commentary on Radio 5 live sports extra
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Australia 171-4 (30 overs) - target 304
Batsmen: Smith 44*, Faulkner 8*
Fall of wickets: 76-1 (Finch 32), 92-2 (Marsh 45), 92-3 (White 0), 161-4 (Maxwell 37)
Bowling figures: Woakes 5-0-37-0, Anderson 5-0-23-0, Broad 6-0-34-0, Moeen 8-0-40-2, Finn 5-0-23-2, Bopara 1-0-11-0
England 303-8: Bell 141, Root 69, Moeen 46
Australia won toss
Scorecard
Close!
Aus 171-4 (Smith 44*, Faulkner 8*)
Smith knocks Broad for a single. Faulkner pushes him into the covers, Taylor swoops and throws to the striker's end as Smith sends him back, and the throw just misses the stumps when a direct hit would have seen Faulkner back in the hutch - particularly as the blade of his bat was in the air rather than on the ground. Australia need 133 more from 20 overs.
Aus 169-4 (target 304)
Moeen wheels away for his eighth over. I wonder if we'll see Joe Root bowl today, even if the two off-spinners don't bowl in tandem. Under a lilac sky - not quite the bright purple sported by Tim Bresnan and the Hobart Hurricanes side in the Big Bash - Australia can only add two singles to their score.
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Bird XI
Steve T: I guess David Loon at no. 3 doesn't really count...
Aus 167-4 (Smith 42*, Faulkner 6*)
England continue to rotate their pace attack as Broad replaces Woakes, Faulkner bides his time before Broad gives him enough width to drive him for four to the extra cover boundary. An edged single allows him to keep the strike. England were 169-2 at this stage.
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Simon Tinmouth: Wow, an Aussie playing a typical English shoot yourselves in the foot shot.
Adz wire Gibo: That's why Glenn Maxwell will only ever be a T20 player.
Aus 162-4 (target 304)
James Faulkner, another local hero from Tasmania, is in at number six - he's only batted that high in three of his 35 previous ODIs, with the majority of his appearances coming at number eight. But a big opportunity for him to show his all-round credentials today. He's off the mark with a single.
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Roger Woolley
Ex-Australia wicketkeeper on BBC Test Match Special
"That's disappointing from Maxwell. Smith will be shaking his head thinking 'we had this game under control'. It's a brain fade from Maxwell. I thought he was learning, getting his head down. But he snaps, he has to play that big shot."
WICKET
Maxwell c Root b Moeen 37 (Aus 161-4)
And just when it was all going so well for Australia and Maxwell was looking dangerous, he holes out as he toe-ends a slog-sweep and is caught by Joe Root with both hands above his head on the mid-wicket boundary. With the score rattling along at a run a ball, which they were getting anyway, did he really need to do that?
Scorecard
Aus 158-3 (Smith 39*, Maxwell 37*)
Ominous progress from Smith and Maxwell, taking singles at will against Woakes, while Maxwell has nearly caught his captain up, pulling the Warwickshire seamer for four. Nine from the over, the required rate still a shade over six, as it's been nearly all innings.
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Bird XI
Jonathan France: Andrew Grousse.
Aus 149-3 (target 304)
Finn takes a rest and Moeen Ali has changed ends, returning for his sixth over. With long-on and long-off back, there are singles to be had all around the wicket, but particularly straight past the bowler. Five singles from Moeen's over, he has 1-34 from six. We're halfway through the innings. England were 150-2 at this stage - virtually nothing in it.
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Scotty Reynolds: Is it too early to ask... Did James Anderson just drop the World Cup?
Aus 144-3 (Smith 33*, Maxwell 29*)
Bopara is taken off after that one expensive over, and England turn back to Chris Woakes. Four singles mean Maxwell and Smith have now added 52 in seven-and-a-half overs.
Meanwhile, Cameron White really can't complain about that lbw earlier. The TV replay has been played numerous times, with the ball-tracker showing the ball hitting the middle of middle stump. (No DRS in this series, but there will be for the World Cup).
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O'Boogie: I remember way back in 2013 when every Australian thought Steve Smith was rubbish.
Aus 140-3 (target 304)
As the sun sets over Tasmania's mountains, Finn has the bearded Maxwell playing and missing, betraying his lack of footwork, and the tall Middlesex paceman comes closer than anyone else today to bowling a maiden - keeping Maxwell under wraps for five dot balls before he manages a single off the last.
Text 81111
Bird XI
Chris in Leeds: Allan Birder? Or how about Orville Pennant? (Jamaican wicketkeeper).
Aus 139-3 (Smith 31*, Maxwell 26*)
Moeen off, Ravi Bopara to bowl - he took a bit of stick from some of you on Twitter earlier, after a rather scratchy seven from 16 balls when the boundaries dried up for England at the end of their innings. But Maxwell opens the face to guide Bopara's first ball for four through third man, and also expertly helps a loose delivery down to fine leg for four. Not Ravi's day so far, 11 from the over. England were 131-1 at this stage.
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Brett Geeves
Ex-Australia pace bowler on BBC Test Match Special
"I pick Bopara as a dangerous bowler on this wicket. Little off-pace deliveries, even with a bit of reverse swing."
Aus 128-3 (target 304)
Smith is moving up through the gears here, Finn's looking for another lbw but Smith is working the ball around well, while Maxwell, though more unorthodox, is progressing well too. The required rate is just about the same as it was at the start of the innings - just over six an over. Maxwell's bat gets some tape affixed to it at the end of the over.
Scorecard update
Australia 120-3 (20 overs) - target 304
Batsmen: Smith 24*, Maxwell 14*
Fall of wickets: 76-1 (Finch 32), 92-2 (Marsh 45), 92-3 (White 0)
Bowling figures: Woakes 3-0-24-0, Anderson 5-0-23-0, Broad 4-0-27-0, Moeen 5-0-29-1, Finn 3-0-14-2
England 303-8: Bell 141, Root 69, Moeen 46
Scorecard
Aus 120-3 (Smith 24*, Maxwell 14*)
Smith and Maxwell milk Moeen for a couple of easy singles apiece, then stand-in skipper Smith (deputising for the suspended George Bailey, himself deputising for the injured Michael Clarke) executes a perfectly timed cut shot for his third four. A single takes him to 24.
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Bird XI
Laurie Armitt: Alan Knott surely.
Andrew Johns: Cameron White should be in the Bird XI after that second baller!
Aus 111-3 (target 304)
Maxwell takes on Finn, thrashing him for four through the covers and tapping a two through the same region. The Hobart floodlights are on - they'll be needed today, in contrast to England's win over Imdia in Brisbane where they barely needed to switch them on.
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Bird XI
Humphrey Flange: Ostrichie Benaud.
Paul Dowell: Joel Garner was nicknamed Big Bird.
Aus 105-3 (Smith 17*, Maxwell 5*)
Neither Maxwell nor Smith will allow themselves to get bogged down against the spinner, plundering plenty of singles against Moeen - and Smith has the touch of a man in form with a well-placed cut for four past backward point.
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Ben Dunk
Australia batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"That was moving. Anderson fields in the slips and rarely you see him put them down. He had to move a long way to his left and he just got a hand to it, but it went down."
Maxwell dropped on 2
Aus 95-3 (target 304)
Glenn Maxwell is the new batsman - can "The Big Show" dig Australia out of a bit of a hole here? He's off the mark with a two, but is then dropped by James Anderson at short mid-wicket as he tries to force the ball off his legs. They run one. Finn has 2-8 from two overs, make that 7-41 for the tri-series - and it was so nearly 8-40.
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Ben Dunk
Australia batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"It was quite a full ball, shaping a little. There's no doubt it was going on to hit leg stump. Cameron White fails to take his opportunity. It's early in the innings to talk of reverse swing, but that definitely arced in."
WICKET
White lbw Finn 0 (Aus 92-3)
New batsman Cameron White, playing his first ODI since 9 April 2011, is crunched on the front pad by a full delivery from Finn, and departs leg before wicket for a second-ball duck, having groped and missed at his first ball. "Add two wickets to the score," I hear Geoffrey saying.
Scorecard
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Ben Dunk
Australia batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"That's a typical left-hander's wicket, a fast bowler angling the ball across, taking the edge and the ball going to point. Shaun Marsh looked in good touch, he would have wanted a big score."
Listen to Test Match Special commentary on Radio 5 live sports extra
WICKET
S Marsh c Bell b Finn 45 (Aus 92-2)
Finn makes a big breakthrough as a flashing drive from the left-handed Marsh sees him caught by the delighted Bell at point. Bell throws the ball into the Tasmanian sky to celebrate.
Scorecard
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Ben Dunk
Australia batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"Australia won't mind if the rate gets up to seven or eight. White, Maxwell, Haddin, Faulkner are all to come and they can hit the ball. Marsh and Smith will be happy to knock the ball around for the next 15 overs or so."
Aus 92-1 (S Marsh 45*, Smith 11*)
Moeen Ali has been the most economical bowler on either side today, curious how both sides left their specialist spinners carrying the drinks today. Just two singles means the Worcestershire twirler has 1-9 from three overs.
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Bird XI
Rachel T: I suppose Graeme Swann might come out of retirement.
Pete Bancroft: Umar Gul and Jackson Bird to open the bowling?
Aus 90-1 (target 304)
England turn to Steven Finn, fresh from his career-best figures of 5-33 against India at the Gabba, and playing his 50th ODI today. But his second delivery is drilled back past mid-on for four by Smith, who's had a golden international (southern hemisphere) summer with the bat, and seems to be Michael Clarke's anointed successor for when the Australia captain's dodgy back and hamstrings finally curtail his own career. A single takes him into double figures.
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Aus 85-1 (S Marsh 43*, Smith 3*)
Marsh and Smith find easier pickings against Moeen than they did against Broad. An even six from the over - five singles and a leg bye.
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Bird XI
Andrew Dicks: Neil Hawke.
Nigel Voaden: Hunter "Stork" Hendry!
Aus 79-1 (target 304)
Finch's departure has knocked the stuffing out of Australia temporarily, just two singles are taken from Broad's fourth over.
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Bird XI
Ada: That seagull stopped a boundary the other night in the Big Bash quite brilliantly. Took a knock, kept fighting.
Neil Oxbury: Fred Tit-muss and Umar Gul.
Aus 77-1 (S Marsh 41*, Smith 1*)
Stand-in skipper Steve Smith is in at number three for Australia - I hope he's woken up a little, I saw him yawning earlier while sitting waiting to bat. He's off the mark with a single.
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Brett Geeves
Ex-Australia pace bowler on BBC Test Match Special
"It looked like he may have attempted to flight that a little more. Finch's eyes lit up, trying to hit it out to deep mid-wicket. There was turn too. The spinner could make a huge impact here."
Listen to Test Match Special commentary on Radio 5 live sports extra
WICKET
Finch b Moeen 32 (Aus 76-1)
Spin it to win it! Off-spinner Moeen Ali makes the breakthrough - tempting Aaron Finch into a big slog and flighting a perfect off-break to hit the top of the right-hander's leg stump.
Scorecard
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Brett Geeves
Ex-Australia pace bowler on BBC Test Match Special
"England haven't bowled badly, but they need to do some damage in the next 10 overs. If Australia score at this rate and don't lose any wickets, they will be right on top."
Aus 74-1 (target 304)
Broad in for his third over, but England fans will be worrying where the wickets are going to come from. Finch and Marsh keep plugging away with ones and twos, while 12th man Chris Jordan is on the field - not sure who he's replaced.
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Bird XI
Matthew Gill: Robin Smith at 3?
Scorecard update
Australia 67-0 (10 overs) - target 304
Batsmen: Finch 25*, Marsh 39*
Bowling figures: Woakes 3-0-24-0, Anderson 5-0-23-0, Broad 2-0-18-0
England 303-8: Bell 141, Root 69, Moeen 46
Scorecard
Aus 67-0 (Finch 25*, S Marsh 39*)
Marsh and Finch take a single apiece, but Anderson keeps it tighter by bowling outside off stump rather than straying onto the leg side. That's it for the powerplay - England were 69-0 at this stage.
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Harry in Spalding: Got a great batting line-up now with Bell opening, it is now up the bowlers to play like the last game.
Aus 65-0 (target 304)
As ever, a right-hand/left-hand opening combination means plenty of work for the fielders, while the bowlers sometimes struggle to hold line and length. Finch aims one high into the Tasmanian sky but it falls short of the extra-cover boundary and Messrs Woakes and Taylor combine to retrieve the ball and restrict the batsmen to three. A wild bouncer down the leg side is helped on its way for four by Marsh, who nicks the strike to move to 38 from 31 balls.
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Simon Bougourd: Bird XI: Finch and Crowe to open. Who's next?
Dickie Bird to umpire. Over to you for the rest of the XI... send in your "tweets"!
Aus 54-0 (Finch 20*, S Marsh 31*)
It's not quite happening for Anderson today as Australia keep plugging away with ones and twos with apparent ease. England need wickets.
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Brett Geeves
Ex-Australia pace bowler on BBC Test Match Special
"The trouble with Shaun Marsh is his best and his worst is too far apart. His worst is barely first-class standard and he has had some real slumps. People clearly rate his talent but unfortunately we don't see his best enough."
Listen to Test Match Special commentary on Radio 5 live sports extra
Aus 49-0 (target 304)
Woakes is off after three overs for 24, and England turn to Stuart Broad, still sporting the shortest haircut in the side. Marsh continues to accumulate with a two and a single off his legs - England seem to keep bowling to him there - while the gum-chewing Finch gets up on one leg to powerfully pull Broad for four. The Aussies are racing along here. (By comparison, England were 45-0 at this stage).
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Chris: Coming into a World Cup there is always a team that nobody fancies but who just come into form at the right time. Just saying.
Aus 42-0 (Finch 12*, S Marsh 27*)
Like Australia's pace spearhead Mitchell Starc earlier, James Anderson isn't finding much swing here, so switches to bowling round the wicket to the left-handed Marsh, and it has limited success - in so far as Marsh is kept quiet for three dot balls before he adds a two and a single.
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Mark Savile: Waking up to see 303 on the board, Murray through and Federer out... should have stayed up last night.
Aus 39-0 (target 304)
After knocking a two to leg, Marsh aims a powerful straight drive at Woakes, but the Warwickshire seamer gets down well to get his left hand to the ball and take the sting out of it. But Marsh responds with another lovely cover-driven four, while a strike-stealing single takes him to 24 from 17.
England's Taylor makes final
Also in Australia, England wicketkeeper-batter Sarah Taylor has helped South Australia Scorpions reach the final of the Women's National Cricket League.
Batting at number six, she made an unbeaten 21 as the Scorpions scraped past a lowly target of 90 with three wickets in hand against Queensland.
South Australia will face defending champions New South Wales, who boast Australia all-rounder Ellyse Perry in their ranks, in Sunday's 50-over final in Sydney.
Aus 32-0 (Finch 12*, S Marsh 17*)
Now it's Finch's turn to drive Anderson to distraction, tucking him through the covers for four before helping himself to a quick single. Marsh moves to 17 from 11 balls with a single.
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Jim Maxwell
BBC Test Match Special
"Those are three of the best cricket shots you could see. Shaun Marsh would walk into any other ODI side in the world and should walk into the Australia World Cup squad if someone falls over."
Aus 26-0 (target 304)
Single from Finch, then Shaun Marsh - perhaps with a point to prove after his omission from the World Cup squad - tucks into Woakes with two on-driven fours, and another one laced through the covers for four more.
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James in Durham: 51 runs off the last nine overs just isn't good enough to win a World Cup. England did everything right until the business end of the innings, where they should be burying Australia at 10 an over. Now I can see Australia chasing this down unless England bowl out of their skin.
Aus 13-0 (Finch 6*, S Marsh 4*)
James Anderson - breaking Alec Stewart's record today for the most England international appearance across all three formats - to bowl from the Northern End, and Finch pushes his first ball for a single. Jimmy's radar isn't quite attuned against the left-handed Marsh, as he fires in a legside wide before another delivery on the pads is leg-glances for four, and another one on his legs results in a leg bye. Finch busily pushes the last ball for one. With a required rate of just over six an over, the Aussies are on course.
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Tattz: What matters most is that this England team are improving & confidence is building, whatever the result today. A few early wickets would be nice though.
Aus 5-0 (target 304)
Australia to chase 304, Woakes to bowl with two slips in - and Aaron Finch crashes the first ball of the innings through the covers for four. Second slip stifles an appeal as Finch tries to force Woakes through the leg side, and they trot through for a leg bye.
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Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh are opening for Australia, Chris Woakes taking the (first) new ball.
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Players are taking the field again - if Australia can score 304, I'd reckon they'll have one foot in the final. But I can almost hear Geoffrey saying, you never judge a pitch until you've seen both teams bat on it...
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England batsman Jonathan Trott on TMS: "Sometimes at number three you can sit there and live every ball and maybe work yourself up too much, whereas as an opener you know you have just got to go out there and bat, that's your job. So in some ways [being an opener] is actually better."
Read more from Jonathan Trott's interview on the BBC Sport website
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billybunter3rd: Fell away badly last 8 overs once Bell & Root went. Buttler/Morgan/Bopara 'big hitters' to finish innings eh?
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Another snippet of news from yesterday you may not have seen - the MCC have announced their squad for the annual Champion County match, where they will face Yorkshire in a four-day day/night game in Abu Dhabi. A chap by the name of Alastair Nathan Cook is included, while there will be a familiar look to the top three as he will be joined by captain Nick Compton and Michael Carberry - two men who were briefly Cook's Test opening partner before being discarded.