The opening match at Perth’s new Optus Stadium saw its first five-wicket haul courtesy of the five for 46 of Western Australia’s own Andrew Tye, and even its first streaker. But it will have to wait a little longer for its first Australian win thanks to a virtuoso performance from Tom Curran, who bettered Tye with five for 35 and snuck England to a 12-run win in the fifth and final one-day international.

The 22-year-old held his nerve, nailed his yorkers and ensured England wrapped up an ODI series they dominated as convincingly as the 4-1 scoreline suggests. This was Curran’s maiden five-for in the format. “You want to be involved when it can go either way,” said the Surrey quick when asked if he thrives on pressure.

It has been a whirlwind few months for Curran. Having taken most of October off, with only a Big Bash League gig with the Hobart Hurricanes on the agenda from 21 December, he was called up to the Ashes squad on 7 November as a replacement for Steven Finn. He played in the final two Tests but was forced to watch on as his replacement at Hobart, Sussex’s Jofra Archer, took the competition by storm, leading to an £800,000 contract with Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League. Curran’s efforts in Perth were those of a player channelling his frustrations in the right manner.

“I sat on the side for a couple of months waiting for my go in the Tests. It didn’t really go how I wanted. It’s very frustrating. If you’re getting left out as a player and you’re happy with that, I don’t think international sport is the place for you,” he said.

Tye’s maiden ODI five-for gave Australia a modest target of 260. Steve Smith and David Warner failed again with the bat but Marcus Stoinis, promoted to No 3, cracked 87 before he was caught superbly in the deep by Curran off an Adil Rashid full toss. With the hosts five down, needing 71 from the final 15 overs, England were back in it.

Curran then delivered a spell of reverse swing that trapped Glenn Maxwell lbw for 34 and had Mitchell Starc caught behind in the 37th over. In his next over Tye was dropped by Jonny Bairstow, who had robbed Curran of a wicket in the second over of Australia’s chase when Travis Head was dropped at first slip. Luckily Moeen Ali accounted for Tye , though he, too, had a catch dropped off his bowling: Tim Paine finding a fumbling Alex Hales at long on. Moeen was also responsible for the catch of the series – a staggering return catch from a bludgeon back at him by Mitchell Marsh.

cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) That incredible catch from Moeen Ali brings Maxwell to the crease.



Watch LIVE: https://t.co/tc335nN8gH #AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/l9Qtem5eoG

With 25 needed from the last 24 balls Curran returned to bowl Adam Zampa. However, Jake Ball, having left the field earlier after feeling dizzy and nauseous, conceded 11 runs off the 48th. As the ask dropped to 13 from 11 Curran yorked Paine for his fifth, and Australia’s final, wicket.

The drop-in pitch was quick and, after an all-run four off the very first ball, began to reward shots, particularly Jason Roy’s, who motored to 38 from 26 balls. His start ensured England were 54 for nought after 6.3 overs rather than the comical eight for five they were at Adelaide in the fourth ODI.

Roy was given a let-off by Starc who had him caught behind for 20 off a no ball. However, on 49, he chipped to mid-on for Tye’s first wicket. At this point – 71 for one in the 12th over –Australia wised up. Marsh (two for 24) came into the attack and, as the pitch started to develop a hint of inconsistency, used his short ball to remove Hales when a hook deflected off the batsman’s helmet.

Tye’s slower balls accounted for the middle order. He pinned Joe Root in the chest and then dismissed him, though not before the Test skipper, with a top score of 62, notched his 26th ODI fifty to cap an impressive 226-run series. Ball’s wicket closed England’s innings on 259, with Curran not out on 11, and gave Tye his fifth.

During the interval Tye was sold to Kings XI Punjab in the IPL auction for A$1.4m (£800,000). The script was written for a hometown, newly made millionaire to christen Western Australia’s new home in style. Curran, though, had no intention of letting a good story get in the way of a win.