SYDNEY: Jos Buttler completed a century off the last ball of the innings to guide England to an imposing total of 302 for six in the third one-day international against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday.
Needing two runs off the final delivery to register his first ODI hundred against Australia, Buttler managed to squeeze a well-pitched ball from Mitchell Starc into the legside field and scramble through to reach his hundred off just 83 balls, leaping into the air with excitement.
Buttler also shared an unbroken partnership of 113 runs with Chris Woakes for the seventh wicket to rebuild England's innings after the tourists had slumped to 189-6 in the 39th over.
Buttler hit six boundaries and four sixes, while Woakes chipped in with five fours and cleared the boundary twice to remain unbeaten on 53.
England can clinch the five-match series with two games to spare with a victory in Sydney after beating the world champions in Melbourne and Brisbane.
Australia made four changes to its lineup to deploy the three strike bowlers— Starc, Josh Hazelwood and Pat Cummins— together for the first time since the Ashes test series.
Although Starc (0-63) failed to take a wicket, the ploy appeared to be working when the Australians worked their way through the England top order in a clinical fashion, only to let themselves down with some sloppy fielding, dropping three catches, including one off Buttler when he was on 70.
Buttler had another scare on 98 when he was given out leg before wicket but the decision was overturned on review after replays showed the ball hit the edge of his bat.