5 best ODI matches between Australia and England

Since the inauguration of the first one-day international (ODI), England and Australia have always been the teams to beat. The fierce rivalry has never been short on entertainment, and the commitment shown by either side is always a sight to behold. Although there have been many amazing battles between the two, here are five of the best ODI matches between Australia and England:

#5 17 January 2014 - Australia win by 1 wicket

James Faulkner was the hero of this match

The 2nd ODI at the Gabba saw England winning the toss and electing to bat first. England were determined to pull off their first international win of the tour and started off brilliantly with Eoin Morgan scoring his sixth ODI century. Morgan (106) with the help of Ian Bell (68) and Jos Buttler (49) lifted England to a competitive total of 300. The Australian bowlers got into the act as Glenn Maxwell, James Faulkner and Nathan Coulter-Nile all bagged two wickets, snatching eight English wickets at the end of the innings.

Australias batsmen all made starts, but couldnt stay in and capitalise, Shaun Marsh and Glenn Maxwellhelped with 56 and 55 respectfully. England had the game in the palm of their hands at 244-9 with Australia needing 57 to win. Australia needed a miracle, namely Faulkner, the all-rounder along with number ten batsmen, Clint McKay (2) pulled off the impossible by chasing the total in just 36 balls.

Australia had nothing to lose, as Faulkner showed no mercy and smashed Ben Stokes over the Gabba for five sixes in 12 deliveries. Australia needed 12 in the last over with Tim Bresnan running in, Faulkner ending off on 69, hit three consecutive boundaries for four handing Australia a one-wicket victory with three balls remaining. Here is the scorecard of the match.

#4 11 February 2007 - England win by 34 runs (D/L)

Andrew Strauss and Ian Bell run between wickets during the match

At the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in the second final of the three-match series, England won the toss and decided to bat. Rain delays throughout the first innings did not halt a good batting performance from the tourists, as England went on to make 246-8, thanks to Collingwood's 70 and skipper Andrew Flintoff's 40.

The Australian batsmen got off to a shaky start as Liam Plunkett took three off 43 in six overs. Rain continued to fall, as did the Australian wickets, as only Brad Hodge, 49 and Shane Watson, 37 looked to be doing something.

Australia was 34 runs behind after the third rain delay as they stood on 152-8 in 27 overs. The match was eventually called off with England winning by 34 runs by the Duckworth/Lewis Method. Here is the scorecard of the match.

#3 2 July 2005 - Tie

Darren Gough and Damien Martyn chat during the presentation ceremony

In the final of the NatWest Series at Lords, Michael Vaughan won the toss and elected to bowl first, and once Matthew Hayden departed at 50-1 the Australian wickets started to fall. Michael Hussey was the only Australian batsmen to give the English bowlers trouble with his 62 off 95 balls. Steve Harmison and Andrew Flintoff both took three wickets a piece, as Australia was bowled out for 196 in the 49th over.

England got off to a dismal start, slumping to 33 for five, however the partnership of 116 between Paul Collingwood and Geraint Jones saved the home side some embarrassment.

After the departure of Collingwood, England needed 48 off 39 balls, as Ashley Giles helped Jones to steer England to their total. Drama erupted in the final over as England soon needed three off two with one wicket in hand.

On the final ball, England still needing three for victory, Giles survived an lbw and scrambled for a two thanks to a misfield by Brett Lee to tie the game and share the trophy. Here is the scorecard of the match.

#2 8 November 1987 - Australia win by 7 runs

Allan Border with Dean Jones and Tom Moody after winning the World Cup final

The 1987 Cricket World Cup had Australia and England playing in the final at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Australia elected to bat first and made no mistake as opening batsmen David Boon and Geoff Marsh got onto a flyer start. Boon looked to dominate the innings, but was caught behind by a brilliant delivery from Eddie Hemmings for 75. Allan Border and Mike Veletta saw the Australians get to a competitive total of 254, which according to Cricinfo, no side has ever chased it batting second at this World Cup.

England lost a wicket in the first over, but recovered due to the two partnerships involving Bill Athey with and Gatting. However, the Australian bowlers fought back with Border and Steve Waugh both claiming key wickets nearing to the end of the English innings.

England was defeated by seven runs, finishing off on 246-8. This victory became the closest margin in a World Cup final and with Australia winning their first trophy; this started the World Cup legacy for the Australian cricket team. Here is the scorecard of the match.

#1 6 June 1981 - Australia win by 2 runs

Dennis Lillee and Geoff Lawson helped Australia pull off one of the centurys greatest victories

In this thrilling 2nd ODI between England and Australia at Edgbaston, England won the toss and chose to bowl first. England led the three-match series 1-0 and was looking to win a comfortable game at home. However, Australias Graham Yallop top-scored with 63 alongside opening batsmen Graeme Wood for 55, as Australia posted a formidable score of 249-8 in 55 overs. Sir Ian Botham was the pick of the English bowlers with 2 for 44 off his 11 overs.

England got off to a bad start after losing three quick wickets for 36 runs. However, they regained momentum after a stable batting by Mike Gatting for 96. A few cameo performances with the bat by Peter Willey and Sir Ian Botham edged England, but the sheer bowling attack of Dennis Lillee and Geoff Lawson saw Australia pull off one of the best victories in the 20th century.

The game was virtually in Englands hand when they were 244-7 with Gatting still at the crease and needed five runs to win the series. With Gatting gone, thanks to a marvellous catch by Lawson and five runs still needed for victory, England was looking at their tail-enders to provide the impossible.

Three runs needed for victory, nine wickets down and two balls remaining in the innings, and Mike Hendricks and Bob Willis stood presumably shaking at the crease with Lillee running in. According toCricinfo,had Hendricks hit the penultimate ball for three, England wouldve won, however he was caught by Marsh, ending the match and seeing Australia win by two runs. Australia went on to win the series 2-1. Here is the scorecard of the match.