As the England World Cup football effort fell apart around their ears in South Africa, our One Day International cricketers wobbled, but ended convincing winners in the third match against Australia at Old Trafford.
Australia looked to be comfortable with the bat after being put in by Andrew Strauss, after 13 overs amassing 75 runs for no wicket, jangling the English nerves.
A decent spell from Graeme Swann (4 for 37) and then James Anderson (3 for 22) put England firmly in the driving seat dismissing the Australians for 212 in 46 overs.
With the rapid loss of Kieswetter (0) to substitute Tait’s bowling, Australia fancied having a go, but captain Andrew Strauss steadied the ship for England with a fine innings, putting on 87 runs before being dismissed at 189 for 5.
Needing just 28 runs and with six wickets in hand in the 42nd over, some fine bowling from Tait and Bollinger had the England attack twitching.
Finally Tom Bresnan became the England hero, scrambling the runs needed for the win in the final two overs of the game, with five balls spare.
There are two matches left in the series for Australia to redeem themselves, but victory is not an option as England hold a 3-0 advantage.
1 comment so far
1 Jaffer // Jun 29, 2010 at 1:04 pm
England are doing us proud at the mo. It is the first time in donkey’s years that the England ODI side picks itself! Variation in the bowling. Firepower and astuteness in the batting. Top stuff. Join me, Jaffer, on Twitter (http://twitter.com/FRIENDScricket) and Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/friendsprovidentcricket) for t20 banter, the chance to win tickets to games, match commentary and polls!! LIVE LIFE. LOVE CRICKET!