Smith's stellar102 guides Oz to gripping three-run win over England in fourth ODI

Australian star batsman Steven Smith's unbeaten 102-run knock helped the hosts to a hard-fought three-wicket win over England in the fourth ODI of the Carlton Mid series at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart on Friday.

England had set Australia a respectable 304 run target to win for the loss of eight wickets, thanks to opener Ian Bell's splendid 141-run knock that included 15 fours and one six.

Joe Root's 69 and Moeen Ali's 46 helped England put up the 303-run total as wickets fell in rapid succession for the tourists, with three of their players going for a duck.

Rookie fast bowler Gurinder Sandhu was the pick of the Australian bowlers as he delivered impressive match figures of 2-49, claiming the wicket of the unstoppable Bell on his individual score of 141.

England skipper Eoin Morgan also fell prey to Sandhu's express delivery as he was caught behind the wicket by Brad Haddin for a duck.

The Australian openers Aaron Finch (32) and Shaun Marsh (45) provided an opening partnership of 76 runs, before Steven Smith arrived at the pitch to score a blistering 102 off 95 deliveries and guide the hosts to a three-wicket win with a ball remaining.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Haddin scored 42, while Glenn Maxwell and James Faulkner scored their individual 37 and 35 respectively.

England's fast bowler's Chris Woakes and Steven Finn claimed two wickets each as well as off-break bowling all-rounder Moeen Ali.

Australia's Steven Smith was announced as the player of the match for his unbeaten 102.

Australia have won all their three matches, two against England and one against India, in the Carlton Mid ODI tri-series so far.