Fiery Lee destroys England

Hussey guides Australia to victory over England in third ODI taking lead to 3-0 in seven match series.

SYDNEY:

Australia batsman David Hussey steered his team to a four-wicket victory over England in the third One-Day International (ODI) at the Sydney Cricket Ground as the hosts took a 3-0 lead in the seven-match series.

Australia won with four overs to spare as they posted 215 for six after England were bundled for 214 from 48 overs with fast-bowler Brett Lee taking three for 27.

Top-order trouble

The English total, which was anchored by Jonathan Trott’s unbeaten knock of 84, never looked enough, but Australia’s top-order woes again opened the door to the tourists, as they slumped to a dismal 100 for five with four of the top five failing to reach double figures.

While Brad Haddin made a half-century before throwing his wicket away to Paul Collingwood (two for 25), Australian captain Michael Clarke’s poor run continued after he made just nine. It was left to Hussey to steer the chase, making an unbeaten 68 from 89 balls.

Lee’s the man

Man-of-the-match Lee said Australia had turned the corner after a tough summer, including the 3-1 Ashes loss.

“Collectively as a side we’re playing very well,” said Lee. “I think in the last three games we’ve shown we’ve improved in every facet of the game.

One crease, two batsmen

Trott provided England’s only innings of substance, as they attempted to avoid a third successive defeat after losses in Melbourne and Hobart. Trott, who was involved in a disastrous mix-up that saw captain and opener Andrew Strauss run out for 23 when both batsmen ended up at the same end, did his best to hold the innings together, but lacked support.

Strauss said it was another poor batting effort. “It’s not the best, certainly not the batting,” said Strauss.

Hauritz to undergo surgery

Australian spinner Nathan Hauritz is to undergo keyhole surgery to his injured right shoulder, leaving his World Cup hopes hanging in the balance.

“Nathan will have arthroscopic surgery of his shoulder joint,” said team physio Alex Kountouris. “This is a procedure that we hope will give him the best opportunity to be available for the World Cup.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 24th, 2011.