Buttler ton steers England to 5-0 whitewash against Australia

Cricket - England v Australia - Fifth One Day International - Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - June 24, 2018 England's Eoin Morgan celebrates with the trophy and team mates after winning the series Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough

MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - Jos Buttler scored a dazzling unbeaten century to guide England to a thrilling one-wicket victory over Australia at Old Trafford on Sunday to seal an unprecedented 5-0 one-day series triumph over their old rivals.

England were in a parlous position at 27 for four, chasing Australia's total of 205 all out, when the gifted, powerful Butler came to the crease and played one a masterful innings.

Yet even though England crumbled further to 114 for eight, the wicketkeeper kept cool as wickets tumbled around him to smash an unbeaten 110 off 122 balls and seal England's first 5-0 whitewash over Australia in any form of men's cricket.

Cricket - England v Australia - Fifth One Day International - Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - June 24, 2018 England's Jos Buttler celebrates after winning the match and series Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough

It was a remarkable effort, with the joint next highest English contribution being Adil Rashid's 20 although the number 10's 47-ball effort in a ninth-wicket partnership of 81 was also key to helping the home side get across the line.

When Rashid was out with 11 still needed, last man Jake Ball held up the Australian attack for 10 balls, allowing Buttler, who got his ton with a second six, to guide England home with a handsome driven boundary, his 12th, and nine balls to spare.

"I said to Jake if it's two we'll run, if it's one, we won't. Great guts from him to soak up that pressure and face those balls," said man of the match Buttler, praising his tail-end colleague at the post-match presentation.

Cricket - England v Australia - Fifth One Day International - Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - June 24, 2018 England's Jos Buttler in action Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough

"We were determined to come out and try and win 5-0. We bowled fantastically well and didn't quite click with the bat. Games where you pull it out of nowhere are extra enjoyable."

It capped a perfect week for England in which they had also become world record breakers by compiling a 50-over total of 481 at Nottingham on Tuesday.

Buttler had then struck a whirlwind unbeaten half-century to guide them to another victory at Chester-le-Street on Thursday.

Cricket - England v Australia - Fifth One Day International - Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - June 24, 2018 England's Jos Buttler celebrates after winning the match and series Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough

The 27-year-old, who also executed a brilliant run-out and stumping on Sunday as Australia succumbed largely to Moeen Ali's four wickets, was also voted player of the series, having compiled 275 runs from the five matches at an average of 137.5.

"I don't think I've ever played better. It's very enjoyable. We're just trying to keep it going," he said.

England captain Eoin Morgan paid tribute to Buttler, saying: "We were very poor today and Jos really did pull something special out to get us over the line. It was outstanding.

Cricket - England v Australia - Fifth One Day International - Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - June 24, 2018 England's Alex Hales looks dejected after his dismissal while teammate Jos Buttler looks on Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough

"He's in control - he's a very cool, calculated customer with a lot of ability. We got a lot out of that watching from the dressing room."

(Reporting by Ian Chadband; editing by Ken Ferris)

Cricket - England v Australia - Fifth One Day International - Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - June 24, 2018 England's Jos Buttler in action Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough

Cricket - England v Australia - Fifth One Day International - Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - June 24, 2018 Australia's Tim Paine is unsuccessful with his appeal against England's Jos Buttler Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough

Cricket - England v Australia - Fifth One Day International - Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - June 24, 2018 England's Eoin Morgan is bowled out by Australia's Billy Stanlake Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough

Cricket - England v Australia - Fifth One Day International - Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - June 24, 2018 England's Eoin Morgan is dismissed by Australia's Billy Stanlake Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough

Cricket - England v Australia - Fifth One Day International - Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - June 24, 2018 England's Eoin Morgan in action Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough

Cricket - England v Australia - Fifth One Day International - Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - June 24, 2018 Australia's Billy Stanlake celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of England's Jonny Bairstow Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough

Cricket - England v Australia - Fifth One Day International - Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - June 24, 2018 England's Jonny Bairstow in action Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough

Cricket - England v Australia - Fifth One Day International - Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - June 24, 2018 Australia's Ashton Agar in action Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough

Cricket - England v Australia - Fifth One Day International - Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - June 24, 2018 England's Jason Roy is dismissed by the bowling of Australia's Ashton Agar Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough

Cricket - England v Australia - Fifth One Day International - Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - June 24, 2018 England's Eoin Morgan applauds the fans after the first innings Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough

Cricket - England v Australia - Fifth One Day International - Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - June 24, 2018 Australia's Nathan Lyon is dismissed by the bowling of England's Adil Rashid for LBW Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough

Cricket - England v Australia - Fifth One Day International - Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - June 24, 2018 England's Liam Plunkett almost makes a catch during the match Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough

Cricket - England v Australia - Fifth One Day International - Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - June 24, 2018 England's Sam Curran celebrates after the dismissal of Australia's Alex Carey Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough

Cricket - England v Australia - Fifth One Day International - Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - June 24, 2018 Australia's Tim Paine looks dejected after his dismissal Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough

Cricket - England v Australia - Fifth One Day International - Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - June 24, 2018 England's Liam Plunkett in action Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough

Cricket - England v Australia - Fifth One Day International - Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - June 24, 2018 Australia's Alex Carey in action Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough

Cricket - England v Australia - Fifth One Day International - Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - June 24, 2018 England's Jake Ball celebrates after his catch dismisses Australia's Marcus Stoinis Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough

Cricket - England v Australia - Fifth One Day International - Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - June 24, 2018 England's Moeen Ali celebrates with teammates after he takes the wicket of Australia's Marcus Stoinis Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough

Cricket - England v Australia - Fifth One Day International - Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - June 24, 2018 Australia's Marcus Stoinis looks dejected after his dismissal Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough

Cricket - England v Australia - Fifth One Day International - Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - June 24, 2018 England's Moeen Ali celebrates with teammates after he takes the wicket of Australia's Aaron Finch Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough

Cricket - England v Australia - Fifth One Day International - Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - June 24, 2018 England's Moeen Ali in action Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough