Jos Buttler rescued England as they pulled off a one-wicket win from the most improbable of positions to complete their historic 5-0 whitewash of Australia.

England’s hopes of pulling off a clean sweep appeared all washed up at Old Trafford when they faltered to 114 for eight in pursuit of an under-par 205 all out in the one-day series finale.

But Buttler (110no) — who had already improvised a run-out and stumping in his wicketkeeping role — gave England the last laugh after all in yesterday’s tale of the unexpected.

They had bowled Australia out in just 34.4 overs, yet then — beginning their reply 10 minutes later — contrived to collapse to 50 for five against the pace and bounce of Billy Stanlake (three for 35) before the scheduled lunch break.

Buttler (pictured) then had to bat against type as he finally found lasting support from Adil Rashid in a ninth-wicket stand of 81, and then scrambled the last 11 runs alongside number 11 Jake Ball, to carry England to the first 5-0 whitewash of their Ashes rivals in any format, with nine balls to spare.

His share was a brilliant 117-ball century, by far the slowest of his six in ODIs, and a compelling late bid for a man-of-the-series award which had been destined instead for one of England’s top three after their heroics elsewhere.