7.45pm: Well, that was fun. Dan Brettig's report will colour in the day for you, a Perth scorcher to finish the series. Elsewhere, the IPL auction has just about wrapped up, with Chris Gayle, the Universe Boss himself, among the late buys. Anyway, from Miller and myself, thanks for your contributions... We'll be back for more when the T20s start next weekend. Laters!
7.35pm: Presentations time, Tom Curran is Man of the Match: "Watching the boys play one-day cricket recently has been a pleasure and to come in and try and take my chance is a great feeling. I've been training hard, to come and play the first ODI at this unbelievable stadium, in front the Barmy Army... the game was unbelievable, what a finish."
Joe Root is named Player of the Series: "I think we thoroughly enjoyed these one-day games, to come back [after the Ashes] how we have shows the character in the group. We've been together for a while, the same guys around the team, clear idea of your role in the side and we have continuity and from there consistency. You've always got to think you're in the game, trying to take wickets. We weren't probably at our best but we came through. [Break now?] Yeah, won't overdo things, come back strong for NZ."
Australia captain Steven Smith: "We thought we'd pulled it back really well, but we didn't start as well with the ball, been a bit of trend. We thought it was very chaseable, but again we lost wickets in clumps and you can't do that against a quality England line-up. [Andrew Tye?] He bowled well, hit a good length and bowled his change-ups, but our batting again wasn't good enough. These lapses are happening way too often in one-day cricket. [Stadium?] It was magnificent, the crowd, the pitched played really well and the outfield was lightning, hope we'll lots more good games of cricket here. [Time for a rest?] It's been a long summer, I haven't been as good in this format, and we've been outplayed, they thoroughly deserved to win."
England captain Eoin Morgan: "Really special, I thought we'd played particularly poorly for much of the game but when we got on top we made it count. In the Adelaide game, we had them seven down, so we knew to fight to the end. There have been a lot of positives, a lot of fight through the series. The ball started going a bit reverse, that was the feedback we got from practice games, the ball chews up. Tom Curran, to bowl a spell like that, for such a young guy, it's a great sign. [Squad selection] We're spoiled for choice, guys are fighting for positions, it's a special group of players that are very talented. To win while we're learning is extra special. A huge thank you to everyone who's come today, they've been great. [Barmy Army] It's been a long few months but we always appreciate their support."
7.25pm: Well, well. A 12-run win for England gives them the series 4-1, equalling Australia's heaviest ODI defeat on home soil. Both teams found it harder and harder to score as the innings wore on, but England's adrenaline-infused first half and an Australia collapse of 6 for 58 tipped the balance. It was a thoroughly enjoyable first outing for Perth's new venue, although without the hoped-for result (from a home perspective)... And a big performance from Tom Curran, too. I wonder if there's still time for an IPL franchise to take note?
"Will we get the inflatable four fingers up for this ending?" wonders Simon. I suspect England might get a hand gesture or two...
"You asked, what has Curran got?" hoots Mahota. "Well he has got the MoM."
Robert Brown: "Good on ya Moeen Ali, now you whingers - he took 3 wickets, he's the man"
TD Paine b Curran 34 (44b 2x4 1x6) SR: 77.27
Two overs, 13 needed. Paine the man... What has Curran got?
END OF OVER:48 | 11 Runs | AUS: 247/9 (13 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 5.14, RRR: 6.50)
- Tim Paine34 (42b)
- Josh Hazlewood0 (3b)
- Jake Ball10-0-58-0
- Tom Curran9-0-35-4
"Might have been better for Ball to stay off the field and let Root take that over," muses Chris in Taunto. Or they could have held Ball back and hoped they didn't need him... But it's academic now
Back to a run a ball for Australia
"Wow! I really want to see Tom Curran in the IPL now. Did anyone buy him?" He was in the auction, Mir. But not picked up, I think
Ball to deliver his last over... Australia need 24 to win from 18
END OF OVER:47 | 1 Run 1 Wkt | AUS: 236/9 (24 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 5.02, RRR: 8.00)
- Josh Hazlewood0 (3b)
- Tim Paine23 (36b)
- Tom Curran9-0-35-4
- Jake Ball9-0-47-0
Just one run off the over, superb stuff from Curran and the pendulum swings heavily towards England...
Two slips in now
"I'm not prepared to blame one man for this loss...but I'm very tempted," grouses Ron. "I could stretch it to two if necessary though."
In comes the last man, Josh Hazlewood. Can he hold on alongside Paine?
A Zampa b Curran 11 (17b 1x4 0x6) SR: 64.70
"What a finish this is turning out to be!" croaks Champion
Four overs to go, 25 needed, this is getting tighter than a pair of Spanx... Tom Curran returns
END OF OVER:46 | 7 Runs | AUS: 235/8 (25 runs required from 24 balls, RR: 5.10, RRR: 6.25)
- Adam Zampa11 (16b)
- Tim Paine22 (34b)
- Jake Ball9-0-47-0
- David Willey9-1-37-0
Just seven off the over, but it's still in Australia's grasp. Paine the key man
"Adrian Tudor 16 off 31 is not a run a ball!" notes James, correctly enough. But he's kicking on now