SOUTHAMPTON (England), Sept 16: Shane Watson`s century was the cornerstone of Australia`s 298 all out against England in the fifth and final One-day International here at The Rose Bowl on Monday.

With the series all square at 1-1, Australia in the final match of their lengthy tour slumped to 48 for three before all-rounder Watson, who made 143, and Australia captain Michael Clarke (75) put on 163 for the fourth wicket on a ground where they`d both once played for Hampshire.

However, no other batsman made more than opener Aaron Finch`s 26 as Australia fell short of a total in excess of 300 that seemed well within their grasp.

Durham all-rounder Ben Stokes led England`s attack with five wickets for 61 runs the 22-year-old paceman`s maiden five-wicket haul in 10 ODIs.

England debutant Chris Jordan, in for fast bowler Steven Finn (side strain), took three for 47 after his first ball in international cricket was hit for four by Finch, whose last visit to this ground saw him score a Twenty20 world record 156 against England on Aug 29.

Jordan struck when he had Phil Hughes (two), opening in place of the injured Shaun Marsh, top-edging a pull to Michael Carberry at midwicket.

Australia, on a ground where New Zealand`s Martin Guptill struck 189 in an ODI against England in June, were 48 for one when rain stopped play for half an hour.

And that became 48 for three after the resumption courtesy of two wickets in two balls for Stokes.

He had Finch caught by England captain Eoin Morgan at point and next ball Matthew Wade gloved an intended hook offa bouncer to Jos Buttler, the first of five dismissals for the wicket-keeper.

Clarke, passed fit after fears he`d suffered a recurrence of his long-standing back injury, survived the hat-trick.

He was in command until, shortly after being dropped by Boyd Rankin off Jordan, he fell to the Sussex seamer when Kevin Pietersen held a sliced pull at mid-off to end a 76-ball innings including 10 fours and a six.

Watson smashed occasional off-spinner Joe Root for 26 runs in a 44th over costing 28 in total.

However, his 107-ball innings, featuring 12 fours and six sixes, finished when he was caught behind off Stokes, who two balls later had his fifth wicket when he caught and bowled Mitchell Johnson.-AFP