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SYDNEY - Australia's World Cup aspirations floundered at a soggy SCG tonight as England claimed the tri-series crown by routing the home side by a rain-adjusted 34 runs.
The world No.8 side completed a straight sets dismissal of the most highly rated outfit on the globe with a
comprehensive triumph in the weather-affected second match of the best-of-three finals series.
In reply to England's 8-246 from 50 overs, the home side stumbled to a meek 8-152 off 27 overs before rain finally ended play just two days before Australia's 15-man World Cup squad is announced.
Departing great Glenn McGrath was earlier handed a standing ovation after claiming a wicket off his final ball on home soil but England delighted in spoiling the party for their long-time tormentor.
It wasn't the title that England had desperately wanted at the beginning of their tour but the one-day victory must be so sweet for the chastised outfit.
It is hard to fathom that it was only a fortnight ago that England produced such pathetic back-to-back efforts in Adelaide.
They were a rabble, a disgrace, but now they are champions and have beaten Australia in their last three contests without the services of injured superstar Kevin Pietersen.
England's victory pierced Australia's aura of invincibility as the home side's attempt at an unprecedented third straight World Cup crown looked increasingly shaky.
The result makes the decision for captain Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist to be rested for the upcoming Chappell-Hadlee series in New Zealand look misguided at best.
It was only the second time in the last ten summers that Australia had not won the home tri-series competition.
Life has not been much fun for Australia since superstar allrounder Andrew Symonds suffered a bicep injury just over a week ago in Sydney.
Australia's bowling attack lacked venom against a revitalised England batting lineup with allrounder Shane Watson again preferred as the fourth seamer instead of a specialist paceman.
The balance of the side has been severely disrupted by Symonds' injury and Australia have not looked nearly as menacing without the rugged Queenslander.
The greatest tension during tonight's clash surrounded the regular rain delays as Australia needed to bat 20 overs before a winner could be declared.
England's bowlers enjoyed the better of the conditions with Liam Plunkett (3-43) extracting fierce swing to destroy Australia's top order in the overcast conditions.
The innings of Brad Hodge (49), who enjoyed a life on zero, was one of few positives for Australia as he again showed he could handle tight situations.
There were some nervous moments for the visiting side when rain fell heavily with Australia less than four overs short of the required number needed for the match to be a live contest.
A tense Andrew Flintoff gestured to grounds staff from the stands to pull the covers off early as the England captain feared another cruel twist to a largely agonising tour for his men.
However they were not to be denied.
Paul Collingwood earlier continued his storming finish to the tour with a telling 70 as England reached 8-246 from 50 overs in their rain-affected innings.
McGrath delivered a leg-side full toss with the final ball of the innings at his home ground and Paul Nixon deposited it straight down Brad Hodge's throat on the fence.
The dismissal meant that McGrath's last balls at the SCG in Test and one-day cricket both resulted in wickets and his teammates swamped him in celebrations.
In a summer of farewells for the national side, it was another poignant moment before McGrath retires following the upcoming World Cup in the West Indies.
Following a shocker on Friday night against England at the MCG and with speculation regarding his place in the World Cup squad, McGrath responded with a tidy 2-41 off 10 overs to quieten any remaining doubters.
However this was England's night and the Barmy Army, more resembling a platoon, revelled in their side having the final say.
- AAP
