Ricky Ponting suffers bizarre déjà vu as England complains about “pointless” time-wasting tactics in Australia's 5th ODI

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting suffered déjà vu on Sunday after watching England use his 15-year-old time-wasting tactic in the fifth and final ODI match in Bristol. However, England's ploy proved unsuccessful as Australia won the series decider by 49 runs via the DLS method and secured the trophy.

Ben Duckett hit a century while captain Harry Brook scored another crucial knock with his 52-ball 72 as England, who went into the competition after two straight wins against Australia in the five-match series, set a target of 310 determined.

Openers Matthew Short and Travis Head took Australia high in the chase with their 78-run stand in just 43 balls, with the former hitting a half-century, ensuring the visitors remained on top despite the threat of rain in Bristol DLS ratings remained .

As per the rule, the minimum limit for a score in an ODI match is 20 overs, otherwise the match would be declared a draw. Despite losing both openers in the first 13 overs, wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis maintained the momentum in his unbeaten 20-ball 20 alongside stand-in skipper Steve Smith (36* off 48) to keep Australia on DLS method on course for victory.

England desperately needed rain to halt play before the 21st, forcing a draw and denying Australia a series win. As the clouds grew darker, fast bowler Matthew Potts took off his left shoe and socks in the 18th over and called for a replacement. The 12th man jogged onto the field in a pair of shoes, leaving the on-field umpires frustrated while Australian batsman Marnus Labuschagne and assistant coach Daniel Vettori remained at odds in the dugout.

“Matthew Potts is now demanding new boots and the referee is looking at him with some disapproval,” commentator Geoff Lemon said on the BBC Test Match Special. “That’s nonsense!”

Ricky Ponting's deja vu

The Australian legend smiled in the commentary box as he watched Potts try out the same time-wasting tactics England used during a 2009 Ashes Test match in Cardiff, where Ponting was captain of the Australian team.

“We’ve seen this movie before,” Ponting laughed. “This is getting funnier by the minute. We can see there’s nothing wrong with the shoe.”

Sky Sports co-commentator Ian Ward mentioned the incident in Cardiff in which Ponting was angry at England's 12th man and physio as Australia looked for a crucial wicket on the final day.

“Are you going to give him a spray like you did to that guy in Cardiff?” Ward said. “You were his hero!”

Ponting replied with a smile: “Not for long.”

Although Potts took three minutes, England's attempt was in vain as Australia played 18 more balls before rain came in the 21st over. The visitors, who were 49 runs ahead of the DLS score, were declared winners of the game and subsequently the series.