England vs Australia 2018: 5 Talking Points from 3rd ODI

#4 Unstoppable England splatter record books

Alex Hales did not take too long to hit top gear

After witnessing his opening partner Jason Roy running himself out, Bairstow stitched another significant partnership with Alex Hales. When it seemed as if a double ton was there for the taking, the opener holed out to deep mid-wicket at the start of the 35th over.

Hales carried on from where Bairstow left off. The belligerent 29-year old found a suitable ally in skipper Eoin Morgan and expounded England's already advantageous position. By the time the last ten overs began, the hosts were setting their sights on the unimaginable 500-run mark.

However, a considerably reasonable comeback from Australia meant that England had to settle for the highest ODI total of all time. Shattering their own previous mark of 444, they came within 19 runs of breaching the 500-run mark. In all List A cricket, only Surrey (496) have bettered their gargantuan total of 481.