A battling 94 from Steve Smith helped Australia clinch a series win against England with a game to spare after a 72-run victory in the second ODI in Sydney on Saturday.

Both sides rested their captains, with Moeen Ali deputising for Joss Butler, while Josh Hazelwood was the surprise pick to lead Australia with Pat Cummins sitting out.

After Hazelwood won the toss and elected to bat, two early wickets brought Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne (58) to the crease.

The pair put on 101 before Labuschagne departed with a top edge to mid off trying to sweep Adil Rashid.

Smith was the slower starter of the two, with his 50 coming off 70 balls and containing only two boundaries. But he upped the pace soon after, especially through his favoured leg side, and was assisted by Mitchell Marsh (50).

A six off Sam Curran over square leg took him into the 90s, but he fell short of his century, holing out at long off on 94 to Rashid, the pick of England’s bowlers with 3/57.

Besides Rashid, Liam Dawson was equally handy in tying Australia down but went wicketless.

Chasing 280, a decent total on a dry, bowler-friendly pitch, England got off to the worst possible start, losing two wickets without scoring a run.

Mitchell Starc (4/47) h ad Jason Roy strangled down the leg side off the second ball of the innings.

Brief scores: Australia 280/8 in 50 (Steve Smith 94, Marnus Labuschagne 58, Mitchell Marsh 50; Adil Rashid 3/57). England 208 in 38.5 (James Vince 60, Sam Billings 71; Mitchell Starc 4/47, Adam Zampa 4/45). Australia won by 72 runs.