Australia claim honours with victory in the fifth ODI
Hosts clinch seven-match series with 51-run victory against England.
BRISBANE:
Australia claimed the One-Day International (ODI) series against England with a 51-run win in the fifth match at the Gabba in Brisbane.
After electing to bat, Australia made 249, with second-gamer Chris Woakes picking up a record-equalling six wickets.
It seemed insufficient, but the tourists slumped to 145 for nine, before a late flurry from Steve Finn (35 off 24 balls) boosted their score to a more respectable 198.
The result gave Australia an unbeatable 4-1 lead in the seven-match series, ending England’s run of five straight ODI series wins, and the match also raised more than $6 million for victims of the recent Queensland floods.
Tourists off to terrible start
The English were in early trouble in the chase at 22 for three, when Brett Lee (2-21) was on a hat-trick.
Kevin Pietersen (40) and Ian Bell (36) put on 73 to revive their hopes but when the pair, and Eoin Morgan, fell in quick succession, they were 103 for six and all but beaten.
England captain Andrew Strauss lamented another poor batting display. “It was another poor performance with the bat,” he conceded. “There were too many soft dismissals.
“We thought 250 was within reach. We need to finish this series off strongly heading into the World Cup.”
Adding to the pain for England was an apparent hamstring injury to young fast-bowler Ajmal Shahzad while bowling late in the Australian innings.
Shahzad, a member of England’s World Cup squad, limped off at the end of his eighth over, having pulled up sore four deliveries earlier.
Clarke praises team
Australia captain Michael Clarke, who made an overdue return to form with a half-century, said it was a gutsy effort from the Aussies.
“I think we did really well to scratch out 249,” said Clarke.
“We weren’t looking all that flash at one stage, and then the bowlers did a great job tonight. I think we are improving.”
England’s poor batting squandered the stellar effort by Woakes, who was recalled to replace spinner Michael Yardy and claimed six for 45.
The 21-year-old Woakes became just the second England bowler to claim six wickets in an ODI, the other being Paul Collingwood (6-31) against Bangladesh.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 31st, 2011.
Australia claimed the One-Day International (ODI) series against England with a 51-run win in the fifth match at the Gabba in Brisbane.
After electing to bat, Australia made 249, with second-gamer Chris Woakes picking up a record-equalling six wickets.
It seemed insufficient, but the tourists slumped to 145 for nine, before a late flurry from Steve Finn (35 off 24 balls) boosted their score to a more respectable 198.
The result gave Australia an unbeatable 4-1 lead in the seven-match series, ending England’s run of five straight ODI series wins, and the match also raised more than $6 million for victims of the recent Queensland floods.
Tourists off to terrible start
The English were in early trouble in the chase at 22 for three, when Brett Lee (2-21) was on a hat-trick.
Kevin Pietersen (40) and Ian Bell (36) put on 73 to revive their hopes but when the pair, and Eoin Morgan, fell in quick succession, they were 103 for six and all but beaten.
England captain Andrew Strauss lamented another poor batting display. “It was another poor performance with the bat,” he conceded. “There were too many soft dismissals.
“We thought 250 was within reach. We need to finish this series off strongly heading into the World Cup.”
Adding to the pain for England was an apparent hamstring injury to young fast-bowler Ajmal Shahzad while bowling late in the Australian innings.
Shahzad, a member of England’s World Cup squad, limped off at the end of his eighth over, having pulled up sore four deliveries earlier.
Clarke praises team
Australia captain Michael Clarke, who made an overdue return to form with a half-century, said it was a gutsy effort from the Aussies.
“I think we did really well to scratch out 249,” said Clarke.
“We weren’t looking all that flash at one stage, and then the bowlers did a great job tonight. I think we are improving.”
England’s poor batting squandered the stellar effort by Woakes, who was recalled to replace spinner Michael Yardy and claimed six for 45.
The 21-year-old Woakes became just the second England bowler to claim six wickets in an ODI, the other being Paul Collingwood (6-31) against Bangladesh.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 31st, 2011.