Bailey rebuilds for Australia in England finale

MANCHESTER, England (AFP) –

England bowler Tredwell runs out Australia’s Peter Forrest during the fifth One Day Cricket match between England and Australia at Old Trafford in Manchester, England. Australia is at 145 for seven.

George Bailey’s unbeaten 46 guided Australia to 145 for seven as they tried to salvage some pride at the last in the fifth and final one-day international at Old Trafford here Tuesday.

Australia, having already lost this series at 3-0 down, were in dire straits at 55 for four and 86 for six in a match reduced by rain to 32 overs per side.

But No 7 Bailey at least kept them in the contest with a 41-ball knock that saw him score four off the last ball of the innings from James Anderson, having struck a straight six earlier in the over.

Off-spinner James Tredwell, in for the injured Tim Bresnan (elbow) and playing his first match at this level since England’s World Cup quarter-final defeat by Sri Lanka in Colombo in March last year, took two for 23 in his maximum seven overs.

Australia’s Matthew Wade and David Warner add runs during the fifth One Day Cricket match between England and Australia at Old Trafford in Manchester, England. Australia is at 145 for seven.

Medium-pacer Ravi Bopara had two for eight in four, with England’s three leading seamers — Anderson, Steven Finn and Stuart Broad — managing just one wicket between them.

Australia’s plight would have been worse had not England dropped two catches, with stand-in opener Matthew Wade reprieved twice, and missed another before they’d taken a single wicket.

But Australia failed to make them pay as they collapsed from 43 without loss to 55 for four following the exit of opener David Warner for a run-a-ball 32 after England captain Alastair Cook won the toss in bowler-friendly conditions.

Warner was lbw after missing a sweep as Tredwell struck fourth ball and Peter Forrest was run out when Tredwell gathered Samit Patel’s throw from long-on.

Australia’s David Warner swings for the ball during the fifth One Day Cricket match between England and Australia at Old Trafford in Manchester, England. Australia is at 145 for seven.

And two balls later Wade, who faced 41 balls for just 12 runs after opening in place of the injured Shane Watson, was stumped comfortably by opposing wicket-keeper Craig Kieswetter off Tredwell.

Australia captain Michael Clarke couldn’t halt the slide, run out for one by Eoin Morgan’s direct hit.

Steven Smith made a useful 21 before he was caught down the legside by Kieswetter off Bopara’s first ball loosener.

And Bopara made it two for three runs in seven balls when David Hussey, trying to run the ball down to third man, was caught behind.