England shatter world record ODI score with outrageous 481-6 as Jonny Bairstow and Alex Hales’ huge tons lead hosts to crushing win over Australia
Captain Eoin Morgan also became his nation's highest one-day international run-scorer in the blitz as his side easily bettered England's 444-3 against Pakistan in 2016
ENGLAND absolutely obliterated the world record score for a one-day international with a pulsating 481-6 to thump Australia at Trent Bridge.
Jonny Bairstow and Alex Hales hit huge tons to easily eclipse the former record - the 444-3 set by England against Pakistan in 2016 - in an absurd 242-run win.
Two years ago - also in Nottingham - Hales hit 171... and he was at it again as England's embarrassment of riches in their ODI batting ranks made the most of the short boundaries.
Once again, the explosive opening pair of Jason Roy and Bairstow got the hosts off to an absolute flyer.
In fact, England were 159-1 in the 20th over when Roy finally fell for a 61-ball 82 - featuring four sixes.
However, that only brought Hales to the crease -desperately fighting for his place in the England XI with Ben Stokes still to return.
And, on his home ground, he took the attack to the demoralised Aussies - eventually blasting a 92-ball 147.
Red-hot Bairstow fell for another blistering ton - this time hitting 15 fours and five sixes in a 92-ball 139.
Jos Buttler - bumped up the order to pile the pressure on the tourists - fell for just 11.
But skipper Eoin Morgan ensured England's run-rate continued to climb towards an unprecedented ten an over.
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He overtook Ian Bell to become his country's leading ODI run-scorer of all-time as he bashed 67 from 30 balls.
Morgan fell late in the innings attempting to up the run-rate - just one ball after Hales succumbed to the same fate.
England ultimately finished their innings just 19 runs shy of a simply mind-boggling 500 - after whacking 41 fours and 21 sixes.
Australia were left needing a miracle - and another world record - to win the third ODI, already trailing 2-0 in the series.
And in truth they never got close as wickets fell at regular intervals, with Moeen and Adil Rashid spinning away seven Aussie batsmen as the visitors fell to 239 all out.
It was England's biggest ever ODI win and Australia's biggest ever ODI defeat... and that more or less sums up the day at Trent Bridge.