LONDON,  (Reuters) – England survived a late assault  by the Australian fast bowlers yesterday to win the third  one-day international by one wicket with five balls to spare and  clinch the five-match series against the world champions 3-0.

The victory at Old Trafford in Manchester follows last  year’s Ashes triumph and this year’s Twenty20 World Cup final  win over their oldest rival. England will defend the Ashes in  Australia later this year.

England, chasing a modest 213 to win, appeared to be  cruising after captain Andrew Strauss struck a composed 87 and  Twenty20 skipper Paul Collingwood scored 40.

But Shaun Tait, bowling at express pace and regularly  exceeding 145 kms an hour, took three for 28 and left-armer Doug  Bollinger returned late in the innings to clean bowl Graeme  Swann for one and Stuart Broad for a duck.  With England still needing 10 to win and the last pair at  the crease, Tim Bresnan struck a boundary off Ryan Harris and  another in the final over off James Hopes to take England across  the line.    After Strauss had won the toss and asked Australia to bat,   Shane Watson and Tim Paine got their side away to a fast start.

Paine was particularly severe on England seamer Bresnan, and  the openers plundered 75 runs before left-arm spinner Michael  Yardy trapped Paine lbw for 44.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting was deceived by the flight  of off-spinner Swann and was stumped for three, and Watson, on  61, top-edged the same bowler to Strauss at square leg.