England vs Australia, 3rd ODI at Manchester, ENG v AUS, Sep 16 2020 - Ball by Ball Commentary

9.30pm So, that's the end of that. And the end of that as well ... that being the bio-secure English summer. It's been a remarkable effort to get 18 fixtures up and running into the teeth of a pandemic, and the quality of the cricket has been remarkable in the circumstances. An absolute humdinger to close out the festivities. Thanks to all of you for joining us, and stay tuned for post-match reaction, with George Dobell cranking it up as we speak. From Miller, Danyal, Thilak and the team. Thanks and goodnight!

Akhilesh: "They didn't win this game, but what a season of cricket it has been for England! In tests, they've sorted out their opening and wicketkeeping issues and have got a bowling unit that's bowling with terrific rhythm. And in white-ball cricket, they continue to assert their dominance, winning from ridiculous positions and their bench strength is so formidable that 'every player in the 11 is replaceable' as Morgan rightly put it. We are truly witnessing the golden age of England cricket."

Tasmeem: "The perfect choice for both awards. Good on you, Maxi. Hopefully you continue to mature a bit more and hold your nerves till the end."

Glenn Maxwell is Player of the Match, and of the Series "It's a short boundary out there, we tried to target it, and take it deep. It was tempting, I tried most balls to go that way, but also pick my moments, get the right length, get it up in the air and I was confident it would travel. My technique doesn't look traditional but I feel calm at the crease, not so much moving around."

Eoin Morgan: "We were still in the game, when you break big partnerships and the ball is offering a bit, you're never out of the game. But Australia were too good for us today, starting in the first over, to post over 300 is a huge positive for us. Pegging Australia back, we were right in the game but Carey and Maxwell played outstandingly well."

"Small opportunities that we might have taken advantage of might have changed the game, but when you've been beaten by a better side you have to put your hand up."

Who knows what's next for England... "sitting around and waiting until tours are confirmed." South Africa next, in theory. India at some stage, hopefully.

Aaron Finch: "An incredible game of cricket. When you've got Pat Cummins behind Maxwell [you're in trouble] but Maxi can counterattack and that partnership with Alex was outstanding. The work they've put in has paid off. There's not many bowlers can stop him when he's having one of his days."

9.18pm Pranav: "I think George Dobell wrote the article after the first game "Australia will always be the benchmark for England". Bang on! Whattta game!! " He certainly did ...

"Ollie Pope has been diligently watching Surrey all evening, but has just gone inside to watch this finish on the TV," says Matt Roller, down at The Oval. So he's the bloke who moved on the balcony then!

Patch: "Fascinating series - not sure the better team won but we will take it. Consigning the collapse from game two to history books is a bad idea, as it doing exactly not that that has made Australia a World Cup powerhouse - two out of three isn't good enough if you want the trophy! Also a quick thanks to the Cricinfo team for covering this unusual English summer, it's helped me along during the lockdown restrictions of Melbourne winter. Cheers!" You are very welcome, it's been lively! And a lot more fun than most late September ODIs in living memory!

9.12pm Good lord, what a contest, what a series! Australia were dead and buried in that chase, but a stunning stand between Maxwell and Carey turns the tables.Centuries for both men, and though they both succumbed at the death, their tail held firm to secure a memorable triumph. The whole Aussie squad have bundled onto the pitch, scenes oddly reminiscent of West Indies' squad at The Oval in the Champions Trophy final in 2004... similar time of the year, autumn closing in, and odds overturned by the visitors. That meltdown in game two can be consigned to the history books ...

Piyush: "A bit too much of a gamble by Morgan. Always easier for a decent tailender to smack a spinner vs a tearaway fast bowler like Woods! Having said that, Australia have snatched victory from the jaws of defeat!" True. Though Rashid's variations have done for many a tail. Superb strike from Starc settled the manner to be fair!

Gautmas: "73/5 everybody wrote Australia off considering they were facing the current WC champions at home. Little did they know they are up against 5 time WC champions"

Samip Dahal: "My heartbeat does not allow for a super over. I repeat. No super over please....."

The right-hander on strike. Time for some big legbreaks I sense...

And well, there you go, the wicket changes Morgan's mind. Two tailenders in the sights... it's going to be Rashid! Ten to defend. He can't, can he? It won't be, will it ...?

Michael Morris: "It is still possible for Rashid to get a wicket off the last ball of the match." I think it will be Curran but you never know ...

Tommy: "Too little too late from Rashid... how England needed him today" ... maybe...

Akhilesh: "Absolutely ridiculous stuff from Maxwell. It's an awesome innings but he has played headfirst into Morgan's ploy. " And some... but that's the way he plays, as a certain KP used to say

Jofra Archer is back, with a new boy in his sights. This is not quite done ...

A slip comes in

saif: "eoin morgan's captaincy is a treat to watch.. wow"

Pat Cummins... how's your nerves. Carey on strike as there was time to cross ..

Shoaib malik: "Tell Morgan no rashid here plz, Maxi will eat him up like chicken." Too late!

So, little more than a run a ball. But one good over could yet cause some jitters. And Morgan backs Rashid to be the man to deliver that... I recall an ODI in the Caribbean before the World Cup in similar circumstances

Michael Morris: "Yes, now to praise Carey too - an Englishman with no nails or teeth left salutes them both - what a Partnership."

Rashid is warming up. Last roll of the dice