AUSTRALIA v ENGLAND

At Brisbane, December 16. Australia won by 37 runs. Toss: Australia. Jones's seventh hundred in one-day internationals lifted his average above 50 and surpassed the previous highest for Australia, 138 not out by G. S. Chappell against New Zealand in 1980-81. He faced 136 balls, hitting four sixes and twelve fours, and his stand of 185 with Marsh (124 balls) was a record for Australia against England in the one-day game. Jones was fractionally run out at 3 when Defreitas's throw from deep third man clipped a bail from 60 yards (umpire Crafter correctly gave him the benefit of doubt), and twice he narrowly cleared fielders with leg-side mis-hits in the early stages. But after his first six, an on-drive off Hemmings that cleared the boundary by 30 yards, he was unstoppable, driving, pulling, sweeping and cutting imperiously.

Theoretically, England had a chance when Gooch and Lamb took them into three figures in the 22nd over. But in Matthews's first over Lamb was caught at mid-wicket, and in his second Gooch hit over and round a skidding quicker ball. Hope lingered until Smith and Morris imagined singles were available off firm strokes to Border at mid-wicket, twenty yards away. Stewart sent the former back, but responded to the second call and was beaten by a foot, having made 40 with exquisite timing off 35 balls. Defreitas struck a six and four fours in his 49 (57 balls).

Man of the Match: D. M. Jones.