Manchester :Australia celebrated the consolation prize of winning the one-day series against England after the pain of losing the Ashes.
Aaron Finch hit an unbeaten 70 as England was trounced by eight wickets after being dismissed for only 138 at Old Trafford in the deciding fifth ODI.
Australia’s 3-2 series win came after losing the last two ODIs when England looked set to build on its Ashes success.
But after winning the toss and choosing to bat, England was blown away in only 33 overs, with England captain Eoin Morgan forced to retire hurt with a concussion with the hosts at 22-3.
Morgan was facing his sixth ball of the innings when he turned his head to a 90 mph (145 kph) bouncer from Mitchell Starc which hit the side of his helmet.
Starc played in the Australian domestic match last year when Phillip Hughes died after being hit by a bouncer. Morgan remained on his feet for a couple of minutes before retreating to the turf when England’s medical team arrived in the middle.
It became immediately clear Morgan was groggy and unable to resume his innings and he walked slowly from the field to a round of applause from the Old Trafford crowd.
England later announced via Twitter that Morgan was being treated for a concussion and would take no further part in the game. James Taylor assumed the captaincy.
England’s only resistance came from Ben Stokes (42) and Adil Rashid (35 not out). Stokes aside, England’s top eight was unimpressive, with Mitch Marsh and John Hastings claiming combined bowling figures of seven for 48.
The in-form Jason Roy was given out lbw twice in the first over of the day, bowled by the recalled Starc, but after successfully overturning the first he declined to do so a second time.
Hastings added a pair of scalps with the second new ball, Hales’ forgettable series ending with a half-hearted flap to a wide one outside off stump.
Taylor was close behind, nicking to Matthew Wade attempting to force Hastings into the off side. That left England 22-3 but there was worse to come when Morgan’s stay was ended in violent fashion by Starc’s bouncer.
After the 10 powerplay overs England was 40-3, its worst return of the series in terms of both runs scored and wickets lost.
Jonny Bairstow and David Willey fell lbw to straight deliveries, DRS used to confirm both dismissals, and Moeen Ali was caught behind driving carelessly away from his body. Stokes’ knock had been the exception, with six boundaries and a clean six over long-off, but Marsh won his third leg before decision to leave England seven down after just 20 overs.
Adil Rashid averted a double-digit total as he drew out stands of 21 and 32 with number 10 Mark Wood and debutant Reece Topley, but the game was up when the latter stepped in front of his stumps against Ashton Agar.
PTI