Kent spinner James Tredwell was in the eye of the storm as England snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in the final ODI against Australia in Adelaide on Sunday.

The 31-year-old appeared in the final three matches of the ill-fated tour Down Under, but could not prevent a 4-1 series defeat, following on the back of the 5-0 Ashes whitewash.

Tredwell’s seven overs with the ball went for 28 runs as the hosts were restricted to 217-9 from their 50 overs on a slow pitch on Australia Day.

In reply England looked set to cruise home, and win the final two ODIs of the series, after 39 apiece from captain Alastair Cook and Eoin Morgan and a breezy 55 from Joe Root.

However with England on 154-3 in the 36th over, Morgan and Root both departed within minutes to questionable shots, and despite 25 from Ravi Bopara, Tredwell came to the crease in the penultimate over with England needing nine from eight deliveries.

In the end the New Romney ace nicked one behind off Shane Watson, with England needing six to win off three balls, to send the home fans into rapture.

Tredwell also played in Friday’s 57-run win over Australia at Perth, going wicketless in his five overs, and not getting to bat as England posted an imposing 316-8.

The first of three t20 clashes is in Hobart on Wednesday, with a second match at Melbourne on Friday and the final t20 in Sydney on Sunday, February 2.