England no longer at risk of whitewash

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England have gotten off the mark at last on their tour to Australia, winning the fourth ODI by 57 runs in Perth thanks to the all-round efforts of Ben Stokes, and despite the century from Aaron Finch.

England have gotten off the mark at last on their tour to Australia, winning the fourth ODI by 57 runs in Perth thanks to the all-round efforts of Ben Stokes, and despite the century from Aaron Finch.

England put up a challenging 316 for eight in their 50 overs, with Stokes making 70 and Jos Buttler a rapid 71 at the death. The Aussies then looked on track to reach the target when Finch was in the middle, but Stokes took four to end that idea.

Australia, having already sealed the series in the third match, won the toss and chose to bowl first, and fielded a side devoid of four big names. England, meanwhile needed to win to avoid bringing up a record ninth defeat in a row.

The England openers got off to a good start, with Alastair Cook's horror run of form somewhat abating as he made 44, while Ian Bell added 55 to the score. Cook was the first depart, the score on 87, bowled by Glenn Maxwell.

Stokes and Bell then pushed the score to 138 in the 22nd over, when Dan Christian bagged Bell, caught by James Faulkner. Stokes and Gary Ballance then put on a half century stand, before the latter fell to James Pattinson for 18.

Stokes, Eoin Morgan and Ravi Bopara then departed in fairly quick succession, though Morgan did make 33 at a run a ball, leaving Buttler to push the score above 300 with his half century cameo. His 71 came off just 43 balls.

Australia's chase started decently, with Finch and the recalled Shaun Marsh putting on 46 for the first wicket in under seven overs, but Marsh was out for 15 to Tim Bresnan, and no-one else could stick with Finch after that.

The big opener scored his century despite the wickets tumbling at the other end, and for the first half of the innings it seemed like the Aussies would keep their unbeaten run going, but once Finch fell for 108, also to Bresnan, it was all over.

It was a comical end to the game though, as England fans have become used to, as two dropped catches in the deep for the final wicket extended the game by a few overs. But at last, Buttler took a skied effort to remove Pattinson, and Cook's smile was visible from space.

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