Australia vs England 2018, 4th ODI: Hits and Misses

With three of the first five ODIs falling in England's favour, hosts Australia had already surrendered the series with two matches remaining. The major weaknesses for the home side included a brittle middle-order, the inability to accelerate with the bat towards the end and finish off an innings, and failing to control England with the ball in the death overs.

But come the fourth ODI at Adelaide on Australia Day, they hit back by castling one England batsman after another on a helpful track. The following were the hits and misses from today's match, which Australia went on to win by three wickets:

#1 Hit: Australia's new-ball bowlers

Following disappointing showings with the new ball in the first three ODIs, Australia's new ball bowlers returned to their best on an Adelaide Oval track with sufficient early movement.

Josh Hazlewood had Jason Roy caught off the second ball of the innings when a touch of swing made the batsman slash one to point; Pat Cummins then removed Alex Hales for 3 with one that came into the right-hander to hit off-stump and Hazlewood then got Jonny Bairstow caught behind - England were 4/3 in the fifth over. Cummins, with 4/24, was adjudged the Man of the Match.

#2 Miss: England's top order

England's top order crumbled to 8/5 after failing to negotiate the new ball

England's top four fell for single-digit scores: Jason Roy for 0, Jonny Bairstow a duck, Alex Hales 3 and Joe Root also without scoring. In conditions favouring the Australian new ball duo of Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, England's top order crumbled to deliveries moving in as well as away from them.

Australia won the toss and used the pitch to great effect to dismantle the visitors' powerful batting line-up, something which had troubled the hosts once the ODI series began.

#3 Hit: Chris Woakes

Chris Woakes repaired the England innings with a knock of 78 after arriving at 61/6

England never got going, with the scoreboard reading 0/1, 4/2, 4/3, 6/4 and 8/5, the loss of the fourth wicket coming for their lowest score in ODI history. It was then that captain Eoin Morgan and Moeen Ali steadied the ship with a patient stand of 53. That partnership was finally broken by Pat Cummins, who got Morgan caught behind for 33.

At 61/6 came Chris Woakes who had scored useful runs in the series already, especially in the previous game at Sydney. Yet again, the all-rounder showed his abilities with the bat in a knock worth 78 off 82 balls. With four boundaries and five sixes, he took England to a respectable total as they folded up for 196 before picking up David Warner with the new ball.

#4 Miss: Steven Smith

Steven Smith's low scores in the series continued

With a paltry total to chase after his bowlers put Australia in command, captain Steven Smith could not make the most of the opportunity to chase a small target. David Warner departed early after scoring only 13 and new number three Cameron White was trapped for 3 by Tom Curran after which Smith arrived at the crease in the eighth over.

But the best Test batsman in the world at present continued his struggles in the shorter format when leg-spinner Adil Rashid picked up his wicket, a hard slash landing in the hands of first slip. A score of 4 added to his meagre contributions of 23, 18 and 45 in the previous three matches.

#5 Hit: Travis Head

Travis Head fell for 96

The southpaw Travis Head was drafted into the side as a result of Aaron Finch pulling out due to a right hamstring strain. As a makeshift opener, Head combined with fellow left-hander David Warner. However, after his senior partner fell early, and with White and Smith also back in the hut early, Head compiled runs from one end until he found number five Mitchell Marsh for company; despite Marsh and then Marcus Stoinis leaving soon, Head carried on with a composed demeanour and application.

Eventually dismissed for 96, Head had, by then, hit 15 fours and was unfortunate to not convert it into triple figures when a half-hearted pull from outside the off stump found short mid wicket, with Australia only 17 away from victory.