NOTTINGHAM: Australia captain Ricky Ponting’s superb century paved the way for the world champions to beat England by four wickets in Tuesday’s fifth one-day international (ODI) here at Trent Bridge.

Victory saw Australia go 5-0 up in the seven-match series as they stayed on course to whitewash their oldest foes. Set a seemingly challenging 300, Ponting’s 126 took Australia to within sight of victory. They still needed 39 off 36 balls after Stuart Broad had struck twice in the 44th over, to dismiss Callum Ferguson plumb leg before wicket and have Ponting driving to Owais Shah at long-off.

But Cameron White and Mitchell Johnson saw Australia home with 10 balls to spare. England’s batting had repeatedly failed this series. But here they made 299 — and still it wasn’t enough. This was only Ponting’s second match back since his post Ashes break and the 34-year-old was glad Australia had maintained their winning streak ahead of the Champions Trophy, which starts next week in South Africa.

Former Ireland batsman Eoin Morgan top-scored for England with 58. But Ponting, who shared a third-wicket stand of 133 with vice-captain Michael Clarke (52), showed how hundreds, not fifties, win games. It was Ponting’s 27th hundred in 317 ODIs.

Earlier 22-year-old left-hander Morgan reached fifty with a six off Nathan Bracken. And he later

audaciously reverse-hit Bracken for four. But,

trying for a repeat next ball, he was caught at short third man.

Strauss was (35) was given out leg before wicket

after attempting a reverse sweep having made

63 runs in both the previous two ODIs. Morgan should have been out

for 38 when he skied

all-rounder Shane Watson to Hussey, who dropped the chance after four juggled attempts.