England avoid series whitewash

England avoided the indignity of becoming the first international side to lose a one-day series 7-0 by recording a four-wicket victory over Australia at the Riverside on Sunday.

Spinner Graeme Swann proved the match-winner, taking five wickets for 28 runs from his 10 overs as England, who won the toss and chose to field, dismissed the tourists for just 176.

Swann took the key wicket of captain Ricky Ponting (53), who chipped a catch to Paul Collingwood at mid-wicket, sparking an Australian collapse as they lost their last eight wickets for 80 runs.

England began their chase brightly with captain Andrew Strauss (47) and Joe Denly (53) putting on 106 for the first wicket and the hosts appeared to be cruising to the modest total.

CHESTER-LE-STREET, England, Sept 20 (Reuters)