Five things we learned in Manchester

Agar returns

It had been two years since Ashton Agar’s Ashes heroics captivated the world before the lissom left-arm spinner returned to international cricket.

That day was today, and Agar’s start to his one-day international career for Australia mirrored his debut match in the Baggy Green.

At Trent Bridge in July 2013, Agar’s first delivery, a low friendly full-toss to England No.3 Jonathan Trott was banished to the cover boundary for four.

At Old Trafford on Tuesday, while it was a long-hop outside off-stump this time, Agar’s first ball again went to the rope.

But things picked up shortly after for the 21-year-old, removing the dangerous Jason Roy at short cover for 63.

Agar picked up 1-45 from nine overs, conceding only two boundaries after receiving his ODI cap from Tom Moody prior to play.

WATCH: Agar receives ODI cap (restrictions apply)

Agar wasn’t the only player to return at Old Trafford, with the returning Aaron Finch making his 50th appearance and being impressed with the young spinner.

"I think he bowled very well on his debut,” Finch said. “It was a nice wicket for him to bowl on, and he was bowling to two very good players of spin in that middle part.

"The way he kept his head and stayed really relaxed under pressure I think was a credit to him.

WATCH: Agar claims maiden ODI wicket (restrictions apply)

“The way that he kept getting the ball up there, kept giving it a chance, shows a lot of confidence in himself and a lot of confidence in his ability."

"When you've got a young guy coming into the side like that - he's obviously played a couple of Test matches - after the team has been having a lot of success it just shows that these young guys have got a lot of confidence, and they're very skilful."

But it could have been so much better for the young debutant…

Wade’s costly miss

From his previous six balls, Eoin Morgan could only manage two singles off the wily Agar as the pressure built on the England captain.

Looking for a release, Morgan skipped down the wicket to Agar from over the wicket, hoping to upset the bowler’s length and get off strike.

However, Morgan failed to make contact with the speared-in delivery and was left stranded in No Man’s Land between bowler and the security of his crease with the ball past him.

WATCH: Wade misses Morgan (restrictions apply)

But Morgan was spared when wicketkeeper Matthew Wade fumbled the chance as the ball ricocheted off the Victorian’s fluorescent gloves to get the batsman to the other end.

It would cost Australia big time, with Morgan making another 47 and in tandem with James Taylor another 92.

The partnership helped England to a match-winning score of 300, but Finch says “it was just one of those things.”

“It was a tough chance for Wadey. Any time it spins back through the gate and bounces it's always tough."

"No-one means to miss a chance or hit one straight up in the air. It's just part of the game."

Terrific Taylor

The pint-sized Taylor finally overcame the three-figures hurdle with a gutsy maiden hundred for England after two scores in the 40s this series.

Taylor played the situation perfectly on a wicket where it was hard to hit through the line, evident in the fact his innings of 101 included only five boundaries.

But the 25-year-old almost scored his maiden ton against Australia in the World Cup this year if not for a botched run out decision by the third umpire.

Skipper Morgan was at the end for most of Taylor’s innings and was full of praise for the unorthodox right-hander after play.

WATCH: Taylor ton takes England to 300

"He is (great to bat with),” Morgan said. “He's rapid between the wickets - he sort of laps me, which is quite 'enjoyable'.

"He's very unique, the way he plays.

WATCH: Morgan lauds Taylor, spinners

"Having played against him a lot in county cricket, he can be annoying to captain against - which is always a good sign, if he then gets runs for us.”

While Taylor did it with the bat, it was a set of twins who did with the ball for England …

Twin Spin Cycle

Combining for 5-70 from 20 overs, Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid were terrific on a turning Old Trafford track.

Their control and variety kept Australia guessing throughout the middle overs when the game slowly crept away from the tourists.

Of the 120 legal deliveries the pair bowled, 68 were dot balls, building pressure from both ends as the required rate increased with every non-scoring delivery.

What’s more, of the 120 balls only four were hit to the boundary, providing Morgan with two wicket-taking and frugal bowling options.

WATCH: Match highlights package

"Their spinners bowled extremely well,” Finch said. “We probably didn't look to put enough pressure on them early in their spell.

“When you're up with the run-rate and you're ticking along nicely you think you can just continue on and chip away at the run-rate.

"They bowled exceptionally well. That was probably the misstep by us that we didn't look to take them on early in their spell and get them off length or off line and create bad balls.

“We just allowed them to sit in and get into a nice rhythm."

WATCH: Finch rues missed chances, praises England spin 

But the spinners were outdone in the field by two spectacular catches…

Finn, Roy reel in rippers

Steven Finn and Jason Roy pulled off two absolute classics in Australia’s chase. Stop what you’re doing and watch them right now.

WATCH: Finn's stunner dismisses Smith (restrictions apply)

WATCH: Roy reels in Agar classic (restrictions apply)