The Australians, chasing a series victory after winning the opening two ODIs in Perth, lost a flurry of late wickets as they tried to accelerate the scoring on the bat-friendly pitch.

Opener Aaron Finch, who was fortunate not be caught off a leading edge on 20, was out when he tried to run a Sammy delivery down to third man only to be caught behind for 38 off 41 balls. Finch helped put on 89 for the opening wicket with Watson and missed a great opportunity to cash in. Skipper Michael Clarke was out to a juggling caught and bowled by Pollard for 15 in the 41st over as the Australians, who won the toss, went after a 300-plus total. Glenn Maxwell left the wicket shaking his head in disbelief when he was brilliantly caught one handed for four by a leaping Pollard on the boundary as he looked to smash spinner Sunil Narine for six. Pollard plucked another near-replica one-handed leaping catch on the rope to end George Bailey's cameo of 44 off 22 balls and give Narine his second wicket. James Faulkner only lasted three balls before he was bowled for two. (AFP) PM PM 02061340 NNNN