Brook unbowed with masterful ton to drive England home and dry

On a chilly night at Chester-le-Street came an England performance to warm the cockles of the hardy home supporters.

- Ali Martin

It was ended by late rain that swept in but through Harry Brook's sublime unbeaten 110, this victory against Australia hinted at progress and clawed one back in a previously one-sided series.

The two teams travel to Lord's for the fourth instalment on Friday with Australia, now 2-1 up, doubtless keen to seal matters at the ground that gave a number of them an earful during the Ashes last summer. There was no such hostility at the Riverside, just 14,000 punters in zipped-up overcoats roaring England to the finish line before the soggy conclusion and what became a 46-run win via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method.

Tasked with chasing down 305 after Alex Carey fired once more with an unbeaten 77, England tripped out of the blocks when Mitchell Starc sent Phil Salt and Ben Duckett packing with the new ball. But from a perilous 11 for two in the third over, and with Will Jacks delivering a slick 84 from No 3, Brook steered his side to 254 for four in the 38th over and thus ahead of the rate when the heavens opened.