Ponting leads by example
Ricky Ponting hit a majestic century as Australia chased down a victory target of 300 under the Trent Bridge lights in the fifth NatWest one-day international.
The Australia captain, with his powers seemingly fully restored following a two-week break Down Under after the Ashes, was at his destructive best scoring 126 from 109 balls to keep the tourists' hopes of a series whitewash alive with the four-wicket win.
It was the Tasmanian's 27th ODI century and with his vice-captain Michael Clarke (52) they combined in a match-winning 133-run stand, from 134 balls, for the third wicket.
It was demoralising for England after they had posted 299 all out batting first - easily their best total of the series - as the tourists reeled in the mark with 10 balls to spare.
Mitchell Johnson completed the chase by smashing Ryan Sidebottom over the midwicket fence.
Ponting's century also served to narrow the focus on England's top order, who again failed to convert starts into a big score.
Only Eoin Morgan (58) reached a half-century. All the top five, apart from the out-of-sorts Bopara (18), passed 30 without going on.
