Ponting masterclass secures another win

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Ricky Ponting was in complete control during his hundred as he put Australia on course in a large run chase.

Ricky Ponting has already suffered the ignominy of surrendering the No. 1 Test ranking on this tour, but his final week in England may yet witness Australia's return to the summit of the 50-over game. Ponting produced his highest ever ODI total against England - a breathtaking innings of 126 from 109 deliveries - that provided the platform from which Australia launched a successful assault on England's intimidating 299, according to website cricinfo.
Nothing short of a 7-0 series whitewash will allow Australia to usurp the top-ranked South Africans entering the Champions Trophy, and Ponting's 27th career ODI century delivered them to within two wins of the feat. Australia's fifth consecutive victory over England was sealed when Mitchell Johnson blasted Ryan Sidebottom for a straight six with four wickets in hand and 10 balls remaining, however it was the imperious batting of Ponting that will be remembered as the tide-turner.
Ponting's only moment of trepidation came on 35 when, facing Dimitri Mascarenhas, Matt Prior removed the bails with his foot in motion behind the crease. The third umpire, Nigel Llong, found in his favour, however, allowing Ponting to resume his third-wicket stand with Michael Clarke, which produced 123-runs.
England were left to rue a poor fielding display that undid much of their earlier work with the bat. Australia's final pair of Cameron White (24 not out from 15 balls) and Johnson (18 not out from 12) were too often allowed charity runs in the closing overs, turning a potentially tense finale into a relatively docile stroll.

England v Australia
England innings:
AJ Strauss* lbw b Hauritz 35
JL Denly c Hussey b Johnson 45
RS Bopara c Hauritz b Watson 18
MJ Prior† st †Paine b Hauritz 37
OA Shah c †Paine b Johnson 31
EJG Morgan c Siddle b Bracken 58
AD Mascarenhas c Johnson b Watson 19
SCJ Broad run out (Ponting) 22
AU Rashid run out (†Paine) 18
TT Bresnan c Bracken b Siddle 4
RJ Sidebottom not out 3
Extras: (lb 1, w 6, nb 2) 9
Australia innings:
SR Watson c Mascarenhas b Bresnan 36
TD Paine† c Rashid b Bresnan 16
RT Ponting* c Shah b Broad 126
MJ Clarke c Shah b Rashid 52
MEK Hussey c Sidebottom b Mascarenhas 6
CJ Ferguson lbw b Broad 17
CL White not out 24
MG Johnson not out 18
Extras: (b 1, w 6) 7
Total: (6 wickets; 48.2 overs) 302
Result: Australia won by 4 wickets
Player of the match: RT Ponting (Australia)