England set a new world-record one-day international total of 481 for six after scintillating centuries from Alex Hales and Jonny Bairstow against Australia at Trent Bridge.

The hosts, bidding for an unassailable 3-0 series lead, surged far beyond their own previous global all-time high of 444 for three at this same venue against Pakistan two years ago.

Captain Eoin Morgan (67) also put in his late challenge for the headlines by hitting England’s fastest ever 50, from just 21 balls, in the third century stand of the innings, before he and Hales (147) holed out to successive deliveries from Jhye Richardson.

Bairstow (139) and Jason Roy (82) were the first two driving forces in an opening stand of 159 which was broken only when the latter was run out by an excellent thrown from D’Arcy Short in the leg-side deep, trying to steal a tight second run in the 20th over.

There was no let-up in the astonishing run-rate, however, as Bairstow – who had two scares, overturning an lbw verdict against him on 27 and then escaping a very difficult chance to Marcus Stoinis at deep mid-off three runs later – powered on to a 69-ball century.

It was his fourth in his last six ODI innings – and although he was eventually caught at deep midwicket off Ashton Agar, having hit 15 fours and five sixes, number three Hales simply took over to the delight of his home crowd.

The pair put on 151 together, and Hales – whose hundred came from just 62 balls – finished like Bairstow with five of England’s 21 sixes. Morgan hit six of those maximums and, for good measure, went past Ian Bell as England’s all-time record ODI runscorer.