Australia vs England 2018, 5th ODI - What went wrong for the hosts

After a shambolic display in the Ashes Test matches, the English visitors thumped the host in the first three ODIs to clinch the series outrightly.

In the final two matches which were meant to be dead rubbers, the Aussies pulled off a consolation win the fourth ODI but their woes were exposed again in the fifth and final game at the brand new Perth Stadium as England won by 12 runs to seal the series at 4-1.

Australia won the toss and opted to field first on a Perth wicket which promised to provide an equal contest between the bat and the ball.

England was bundled out for 247 and in reply, the Aussies fell short by just 12 runs to hand yet another victory for the visitors.

Now, let's take a look at the five things that went wrong for the hosts.

#5 Absence of Pat Cummins

In what has been a series dominated by England, the hosts pulled off a consolation win in the fourth one-dayer at the Adelaide Oval. The duo of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood ran riot through the batting order of the visitors.

The English team was reduced to 5 wickets down for just 8 runs on the board before the rescue act from the lower order helped them to 196. However, in the fifth ODI, Cummins was ruled out due to a tight hamstring.

The in-form pacer's absence was very evident as Australia struggled to pick wickets with the new ball hence enabling the English top order to achieve a good start.

#4 No early breakthroughs

Joe Root top-scored with 62

With Cummins withdrawn from the squad, it paved way for left-arm speedster Mitchell Starc to return to the playing XI after missing the previous ODI owning to an injury. Barring the second ODI, Starc had been taken for runs throughout the tournament and it recurred in the final ODI as well.

Starc along with his new-ball partner Hazlewood found it challenging to make in-roads and gave away plenty of runs in the first eight overs. Mitchell Marsh was the first bowling change and Marsh along with Andrew Tye did contain the England openers which resulted in the loss of their first wicket at 71 runs.

#3 Failure to covert a good start

Stoinis was involved in two 50+ partnerships with Head and Maxwell

David Warner failed once again but all-rounder Marcus Stoinis who joined Travis Head in the middle kept the English bowlers at bay. Chasing 248 and one down at 24, the young duo added 62 runs for the second wicket.

However, a poor mix up in the middle caused Head to depart after England skipper Morgan hit the stumps directly. The incoming middle-order Aussie batsmen found it difficult to maintain a healthy run-rate and lost wickets at regular intervals. Smith departed for just 12 runs and Marsh was dismissed for 13. When Glenn Maxwell walked in, Australia were in trouble with over 100 runs required and the required rate climbing steadily.

#2 Loss of Stoinis and Maxwell in quick succession

Stoinis departed after a well-made 87

Marcus Stoinis has established himself as an able all-rounder in the limited overs format. Batting at number three, the right-hander took the charge to the England bowlers and ensured that they were cruising to victory. He was accompanied in the middle by maverick Glenn Maxwell at the loss of the fourth wicket. The duo went about their business expertly and added 56 runs for the fourth wicket.

However, in the quest to keep the pressure on England bowlers, Stoinis fell for 87 and in a couple of overs, Maxwell was dismissed as well. These dismissals spelt doom for the Australian chase although Tim Paine gave surreal hope batting with the tailenders.

#1 Warner and Smith's batting woes

Warner has had a series to forget.

Well, Smith was in hot form in the Ashes Test series but has failed to replicate even a piece of the same in the ODI series. His average in the series stands at 20 and Warner's is more miserable at a mere 14.

The duo reflected the same in the final ODI as Australia needed at least one of them to step up to the challenge and perform. Warner's stumps were rattled and resulted in England finding an early breakthrough. However, when Smith walked in Aussies were cruising at a comfortable rate at 86 for 2 after 14 overs.

Smith unnecessarily came down the track and was beaten by Moeen Ali's straightener and Buttler dislodged the bails to push Australia into a weak position in the middle of the chase.