Toss: Australia.

Australia won the game and thus the series despite being totally overwhelmed by one of the greatest innings ever seen in limited-overs cricket. Smith scored 167 not out, the highest score for England in a one-day international, and the fifth-highest in all. England, forced to bat on a damp morning, struggled in the early stages. But Smith, theoretically out of form, was always aggressive in intent and after lunch he became simply ferocious – he moved from 100 to 150 in 20 balls and scored 76 from his last 30; McDermott was the only bowler to escape the carnage. Smith hit 17 fours and three sixes in 163 balls. It was an innings of physical strength allied to magnificent technique and was still the talk of the ground when the Australians batted.

It dawned only slowly on the fielders and spectators that such a performance might not be enough. England's all-seam attack looked inadequate and the fielding ragged. The bowlers made no headway against a stand of 168 between Mark Waugh, who matched Smith in inventiveness if not power, and Border. Australia eased to victory with nine balls remaining.

Man of the Match: R. A. Smith. Attendance: 18,279; receipts £390,500.

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