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James Taylor inspired by failures in 40s as England stay alive against Australia

James Taylor celebrates his century at Old Trafford
Image: James Taylor went on to a hundred in the third ODI after twice falling in the 40s earlier in the series

James Taylor put his series-saving hundred for England against Australia at Old Trafford down to the frustration of two previous failures.

The Nottinghamshire batsman's maiden one-day international hundred laid the foundation for a 93-run win which dragged England back into the series, 2-1 behind with two to play.

Taylor's patient 101 on a sticky surface helped England post 300-8 and was inspired by his shame at twice falling in the 40s in the opening two matches.

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James Taylor collects the man of the match honours after scoring his first ODI 100 for England at Old Trafford

The man of the match told Sky Sports: "It was playing on my mind, I know it's not like me to give it away. I knew I had to kick on for the team.

"I had a man on my shoulder wanting to play the big shot quite a few times, but I knew the situation didn't let me do that.

"From a personal point of view, it's nice to get three figures, and the way the boys performed in a must-win game was outstanding. We did what we needed to do on a tough surface.

"Conditions were tough, that's why I was flicking it around and letting Morgy (Eoin Morgan) play his shots at the other end. We did what we needed to do on a tough surface to get up to a match-winning total."

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Those conditions became more difficult for batting as the day-nighter wore on, and England's two spinners took advantage with combined figures of 5-73 off their 20 overs as the Aussies were dismissed for 207.

Captain Morgan called the performances of Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid "outstanding" and also praised Steve Finn's new-ball spell.

There was a word, too, for Jason Roy, the Surrey opener who released the shackles to get England off to a flier with a 45-ball 63.

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There were two outstanding catches in the 3rd ODI between England and Australia at Old Trafford. Whose was better - Steven Finn's or Jason Roy's?

Morgan said: "Jason Roy played very much his game, a lot of strong shots down the ground and clean striking which was nice to watch."

On Taylor, he said: "We wanted guys to go on and make match-winning contributions and he certainly did that today."

And the skipper jokingly branded Finn "a leaping salmon" after his Middlesex team-mate clung on to a stunning catch to get rid of Australia captain Steve Smith.

"I've known him since I was 15 years old and I don't think I've ever seen him take a catch like that," Morgan said.

Watch the fourth ODI live on Sky Sports 2 from 10am this Friday.

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