Harry Brook stands up as England captain, scoring a maiden One Day International century to lead England to victory by 46 runs in front of a sold-out Seat Unique Riverside.
His glorious knock of 110* was imperative to England’s chase, rescuing his side from a hazardous position after Mitchell Starc’s early wickets left England struggling at 11 for two.
He shared a stand of 156 with Will Jacks- who struck 84 from 82, as England reached 254 for four in 37.4 overs to achieve victory on Duckworth-Lewis-Stern to stay in the Metro Bank series, trailing 2-1 to Australia.
The visitors managed to post a competitive looking total of 304 thanks to a late rally from Alex Carey (77*) and Aaron Hardie (44) after Steve Smith (60) helped build foundations for a late assault.
After Brook chose to bowl first in an overcast Chester le Street, Matthew Potts and Jofra Archer extracted good pace and bounce off a hard surface with the latter reaching consistent speeds of 90mph in his opening spell.
Matthew Short pulled Archer for six over long leg, only to be caught on the boundary when trying to repeat the shot two balls later. Mitchell Marsh and Steve Smith navigated the remainder of the powerplay, with Australia reaching 41 for one.
Brydon Carse was introduced in the seventh over and looked threatening before he ended the pair’s stand in the 11th, locating Marsh’s outside edge to collect his 25th international wicket.
England’s introduction of spin after the first drinks break proved costly initially as Smith and the aggressive Cameron Green pushed their partnership to 84, scoring 48 in six overs of spin. Jacob Bethell made the breakthrough as Green charged and drilled one to Jacks low at mid-on, after making 42 from 48.
Marnus Labuschagne scooped Jacks in the following over, only for the ball to deflect off his helmet and loop to Jamie Smith, departing for a three-ball duck.
Steve Smith reached a battling half-century from 72 balls, punishing poor line from Jacks to reach the milestone. Alex Carey looked elegant, penalising the bowling of Bethell as he started positively in a fifth-wicket partnership worth 40.
Archer returned to take the prized wicket of Smith for 60, assisted by a stunning low diving catch by Carse on the leg side fence. Australia coasted to 200 from 40 overs before looking to up the ante with Carey and Glenn Maxwell at the crease.
After an expensive start to the final 10, Liam Livingstone combined with Carse to halt Australia’s momentum and remove the dangerous Maxwell- the pair having conceded 26 runs in 11 balls prior.
Carey went to his 10th ODI fifty from 48 deliveries and began to accelerate with Aaron Hardie alongside. The pair struggled to get Livingstone and Adil Rashid away, before utilising the re-introduction of England’s seamers to share 70 from 43 balls.
The pair punished length and line of Potts and Archer, striking 45 from three overs. Hardie showed his power in a brisk 26-ball innings worth 44 before falling run out at the beginning of the final over.
Australia’s defence began positively with Starc spearheading the attack, starting with a maiden before having openers Phil Salt and Ben Duckett out caught in his second.
England’s response was measured, seeing off Starc’s early spell to score 45 inside the powerplay. Jacks and captain Brook then accelerated, gaining fluency as they scored 66 from the next 10 overs- a passage of play which saw both batters reach fifty, whilst they shared 100 in 103 balls.
Their partnership had lasted almost 25 overs by the time Jacks’ attempt to club Green’s delivery found Sean Abbott at third man, falling for an enterprising fourth ODI half-century.
Brook continued his onslaught and his side still looked in pole position when Smith was out for a struggling seven. Livingstone arrived with intent, thumping sixes in consecutive overs from Hardie and Green.
Brook struck back-to-back boundaries to bring up his century, with a fine edge seeing him reach 100 for the first time in an ODI.
Livingstone and Brook continued their aggression, adding a further 18 before rain started to fall; bringing play to a close with England ahead by 46 runs on DLS.