Morgan claims run-scoring record

England limited-overs captain Eoin Morgan has surpassed Australia legend Ricky Ponting as the most prolific batsman in one-day internationals between the two Ashes rivals.

Morgan ticked past Ponting's record of 1,598 runs in Australia-England ODIs in the third match of the five-game series in Sydney.

The left-hander, who made 1 and 21 in the opening two matches of the current Gillette ODI series, came into Sunday's game at the SCG with 1,587 runs against Australia. 

After a lucky early escape when he inside-edged paceman Mitchell Starc onto his pads and perilously close to his leg-stump, Morgan soon got going with a reverse-swept four off leg-spinner Adam Zampa.

There was some conjecture over whether the left-hander actually made contact on the ensuing stroke that took him past Ponting's record. 

Aiming to repeat the dose off Zampa, Morgan aimed another reverse-sweep that appeared to miss his bat completely, with the ball also eluding wicketkeeper Tim Paine.

But umpire Chris Gaffaney did not signal byes, giving the Irish-born batsman a small slice of history in his 45th ODI against Australia.

Morgan took six more innings than Ponting to achieve the feat and has two fewer centuries than the former Australia skipper in clashes between the two nations (Morgan has three, Ponting five), though Morgan's strike-rate of 90.99 betters Ponting's 84.41.

Only seven batsmen have scored more than 1,000 runs in Australia-England ODIs – Morgan, Ponting, Michael Clarke (1,430), Graham Gooch (1,395), Shane Watson (1,306), Allan Border (1,302), Ian Bell (1,148) and Adam Gilchrist (1,087).

That club could soon have an eighth member if Australia opener Aaron Finch's hot form continues.

The Victorian has struck back-to-back hundreds in the first two ODIs of the ongoing series and had moved to 930 career runs against England before Sunday's match. Only Finch and Ponting have struck five centuries in Australia-England ODIs.

Morgan meanwhile looks on track to become England's overall leading ODI run scorer this year, having gone past Paul Collingwood (5,092 career ODI runs) into second on their all-time list on Sunday, with Ian Bell (5,416 ODI runs at 38) sitting atop the pile. 

Born in Dublin, Morgan made his ODI debut for his native Ireland in 2006 before England selected him in 2009. 

Appointed to the ODI captaincy less two months before the 2015 World Cup in Australia, he has been credited England's remarkable white-ball resurgence in the wake of their disastrous campaign at that showpiece event.

2017-18 International Fixtures

Gillette ODI Series v England

Australia ODI squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye, Cameron White, Adam Zampa.

England ODI squad: Eoin Morgan (c), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Alex Hales, Dawid Malan, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.

First ODI England won by five wickets at the MCG

Second ODI England won by four wickets at the Gabba

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Tickets

Fifth ODI Perth Stadium, January 28. Tickets

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Tickets

Gillette T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

England T20 squad: Eoin Morgan (c), Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Dawid Malan, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, David Willey, Mark Wood.

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Tickets

Second T20I Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Tickets

Third T20I Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Tickets

Fourth T20I NZ v England, Wellington, February 14

Fifth T20I NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final TBC, Eden Park, February 21