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ENGLAND suffered their worst defeat against Australia since these matches began 28 years ago in the second final of the triangular series in Melbourne. It was also the second-heaviest defeat in their one-day international history.

This 162-run defeat was a semolina pudding of a performance, one without any obvious redeeming features. And it was not much of a way to end a tour that spluttered, sparked and spluttered again. In Sydney England had been the architects of their own downfall, here they were demolished by fresh and energetic opponents.

Appropriately the match ended with the local captain sending down the best flipper he has managed for several years. Shane Warne is back. England are merely going home, not much the wiser.

Not for the first time it was batting that let England down. Admittedly the Australians bowled well, with Adam Dale once again pinning the batsmen down and Glenn McGrath working them over. They were supported by lively fielding from a team determined to bring these finals to an abrupt end. Doubtless the Australians fancied a rest. After all, they leave for the Caribbean on Wednesday.

Pursuing an imposing target on a hard pitch England wasted wickets and played a stream of poorly constructed strokes. They began with a run-out as Ricky Ponting pounced from cover, and within minutes Graeme Hick cut to third man.

England's plight grew worse as Nasser Hussain pushed forwards and was caught behind. McGrath had taken his second wicket of this innings and his 27th of this campaign, a record. Later he and Hick were chosen as joint men of the series. By now the Australians were thick in the slips and thin in the outfield. The momentum was with them and Neil Fairbrother was powerless to resist it, his feet failing to move into position as he edged. England had subsided to 13 for four. Collapse had turned to rout.

Meanwhile Alec Stewart stood at the bowler's end, not unlike St Paul's during the blitz. It has not been much of a tour for him. As a batsman he has been unable to find a regular tempo and has swung between blocking and bashing, especially in these 50-over engagements. Nor did he control his team or himself on that night of confrontation in Adelaide that followed umpire Ross Emerson's ridiculous and provocative no-ball. On the other hand, Stewart's team have fought hard and played coherently. Moreover they have been unlucky in their dealings with umpires and coins.

Stewart had not passed 40 in 11 matches in this series, and though he played some powerful pulls, he lost his wicket cheaply again as he drove lustily and was caught at mid-off. By now the Australians were more concerned about the weather than their opponents and began hurrying through their overs. Adam Hollioake fell next. Perhaps he was unlucky but his footwork was poor. It has not been much of a tour for the Surrey contingent.

It was almost over. Vince Wells and Mark Ealham swiped against the spin and paid the penalty and presently the Australians were grabbing stumps as fireworks crackled around the ground. It was Warne's 10th win in 11 matches as captain.

Not that England's bowling had much to commend it either. Darren Gough's opening spell was accurate but he was profligate later. Despite his dopiness Alan Mullally has also been effective. But the Australians had their measure and their batsmen were in top form, Adam Gilchrist playing nimbly and boldly off both feet and Ponting moving in his quicksilver way.

Australia paced their innings superbly and launched such an attack towards the end that 97 runs came in the last 12 overs, Shane Lee taking 17 runs and two sixes off Mullally's final over.

As they left the field England had a woebegone look. They missed their chance in Sydney and it has been a long tour.

England's worst defeats in one-day internationals

Lost to West Indies by 165 runs, Arnos Vale, Mar 2, 1994: West Indies 313-6, England 148-9.

Lost to Australia by 162 runs, Melbourne, Feb 13, 1999: Australia 272-5, England 110.

Lost to West Indies by 135 runs, Bridgetown, Mar 19, 1986: West Indies 249-7, England 114.

Lost to Zimbabwe by 131 runs, Harare, Jan 3, 1997: Zimbabwe 249-7, England 118.

Lost to Australia by 109 runs, Melbourne, Feb 1, 1987: Australia 248-5, England 139.

Lost to West Indies by 107 runs, Adelaide, Jan 16, 1980. West Indies 246-5, England 139.