No respite for England
Australia chase down record total to lead series 5-1 with one ODI remaining.
SYDNEY:
Australia pulled off a spectacular run-chase to win the sixth One-Day International (ODI) against England by two wickets, racking up a record 334 for eight to take a 5-1 lead in the series.
Inspired by under-fire captain Michael Clarke’s 82, the hosts scored their highest tally when batting second in ODIs to overhaul England’s 333 for six, a record by them against Australia.
Jonathan Trott, who struck 102 to help the tourists to their only victory in the series, compiled a superb 137 to drive England to what looked like a winning tally as the home side laboured in the fierce heat. “Nice to get a hundred,” said Trott. “It’s more memorable when you win the game. However, I’m not looking to stand still, I’m looking to improve all the time,” he added.
Australia’s Shane Watson (51) and Brad Haddin got them off to a blistering start with a stand of 71 in 7.6 overs before the wicket-keeper was dismissed for 20, snared by a fine catch by Trott.
Clarke promoted Mitchell Johnson to number four in the order and the all-rounder responded with a knock of 57 that included two huge sixes before being stumped by Matt Prior off Kevin Pietersen.
Earlier, Prior was involved in a controversy when he inadvertently knocked a bail off after taking a ball from spinner Michael Yardy and claimed Johnson had been bowled. Watson kept up his good form with another half-century but it was a sixth-wicket partnership of 90 between David Hussey and Clarke that drove the hosts towards victory.
Clarke, who compiled his 45th ODI half-century, was overwhelmed at the team’s lead in the series.
“We’re winning, first and foremost, and it’s nice to be contributing with the bat,” said Clarke. “A few things didn’t go to plan with the ball for us, but we’re stoked to have chased those runs down,” said the captain.
Doherty ruled out after back injury
Meanwhile, spin-bowler Xavier Doherty was ruled out of the last match of the ODI series due to back pain, adding to their injury concerns ahead of the World Cup.
The left-armer was the second spinner injured in the seven-match series after Nathan Hauritz dislocated his shoulder in the second match.
“Doherty developed some back pain during the one-day game in Adelaide on Australia Day and did not train in Brisbane, which allowed his symptoms to improve,” said physiotherapist Alex Kountouris.
Australia have not yet decided whether to bring anyone in for Doherty if the off-spinner failed to regain fitness in time for the tournament.
However, there was better news about Ricky Ponting, who faces his own fitness race after breaking a finger in the Ashes series against England.
“Ponting is expected to increase his training intensity in the lead up to the World Cup,” said Kountouris.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 3rd, 2011.
Australia pulled off a spectacular run-chase to win the sixth One-Day International (ODI) against England by two wickets, racking up a record 334 for eight to take a 5-1 lead in the series.
Inspired by under-fire captain Michael Clarke’s 82, the hosts scored their highest tally when batting second in ODIs to overhaul England’s 333 for six, a record by them against Australia.
Jonathan Trott, who struck 102 to help the tourists to their only victory in the series, compiled a superb 137 to drive England to what looked like a winning tally as the home side laboured in the fierce heat. “Nice to get a hundred,” said Trott. “It’s more memorable when you win the game. However, I’m not looking to stand still, I’m looking to improve all the time,” he added.
Australia’s Shane Watson (51) and Brad Haddin got them off to a blistering start with a stand of 71 in 7.6 overs before the wicket-keeper was dismissed for 20, snared by a fine catch by Trott.
Clarke promoted Mitchell Johnson to number four in the order and the all-rounder responded with a knock of 57 that included two huge sixes before being stumped by Matt Prior off Kevin Pietersen.
Earlier, Prior was involved in a controversy when he inadvertently knocked a bail off after taking a ball from spinner Michael Yardy and claimed Johnson had been bowled. Watson kept up his good form with another half-century but it was a sixth-wicket partnership of 90 between David Hussey and Clarke that drove the hosts towards victory.
Clarke, who compiled his 45th ODI half-century, was overwhelmed at the team’s lead in the series.
“We’re winning, first and foremost, and it’s nice to be contributing with the bat,” said Clarke. “A few things didn’t go to plan with the ball for us, but we’re stoked to have chased those runs down,” said the captain.
Doherty ruled out after back injury
Meanwhile, spin-bowler Xavier Doherty was ruled out of the last match of the ODI series due to back pain, adding to their injury concerns ahead of the World Cup.
The left-armer was the second spinner injured in the seven-match series after Nathan Hauritz dislocated his shoulder in the second match.
“Doherty developed some back pain during the one-day game in Adelaide on Australia Day and did not train in Brisbane, which allowed his symptoms to improve,” said physiotherapist Alex Kountouris.
Australia have not yet decided whether to bring anyone in for Doherty if the off-spinner failed to regain fitness in time for the tournament.
However, there was better news about Ricky Ponting, who faces his own fitness race after breaking a finger in the Ashes series against England.
“Ponting is expected to increase his training intensity in the lead up to the World Cup,” said Kountouris.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 3rd, 2011.