Story Natwest Series (Shailesh and Crick4life)

[crick4life]

Wow, good for OZs to have restricted England to 267 after England were 136 off only 20 overs. We have had enough of Tresco, we really need to sort him out sooner than later maybe hire goons to kidnap him for couple of weeks

Feeling a lot confident chasing 267 now lest it allows me to defend a leave a lot of balls early on. For the first time I have a plan because our bowlers have done a good job and I have been batting quite a bit of late too . That said one or two early wickets that may change completely.

Can't wait to see how the chase will go, the innings will be underway very shortly.

 

[crick4life]

Australia off to a decent start

Australia are off to a decent start by the end of 10 overs. Australia chasing 268 runs are now on 47/1 with the only wicket to fall was of Gilchrist caught by Solanki in the slip. Gough pushed the ball a little full and Gilchrist trying to play a straight drive edged it straight to the lone slip. The first wicket fell in the second over when the score was on 9.

Ponting joined Hayden and since both have played some wonderful shots off the back foot. Vaughan after having noticed the faster bowlers aren't causing any concerns to the batsman acted interactively and brought in Giles in as early as 10th over. Ponting swept Giles for a four and then cover drive for a couple singnalling he is unruffled by the introduction of the spinner.

At the end of 10 overs :

Australia 47/1

Gilchrist c.Solanki B.Harmison 5(7 balls)
Hayden 19*(21 balls, 2 fours)
Ponting 23*(32 balls, 3 fours)

Gough 5-0-24-1
Harmison 4-0-17-1
Giles 1-0-6-0

Australia looking comfortable, Ponting reaches 50

Australia reached 97/2 after 20 overs. Giles got Hayden lbw with a fuller ball, Hayden missing the line of the ball while sweeping. Ponting has batted wonderfully well for his 50 and reached his 50 in the 20th over off 66 balls. Vaughan introduced himself into the attack in tandem with Giles but Australia batted aggressively against these spinners and are looking comfortable at the moment. Martyn has joined Ponting and has quickly moved on to 10*(13 balls).Flintoff replaced Giles after Giles went for 24 runs off 4 overs.

 

[crick4life]

Australia require 42 runs off 8 overs with 4 wickets in hand

Thanks to a quick fire 50 by Shane Watson coming off 34 balls Australia did not give up their fight to win this game. Also an enterprising 63*(72) by Damien Martyn helped Australia's cause after being down and out at 137/5 in about 30 overs. Earlier Flintoff bowled an excellent spell and Wharf though expensive chipped in with a wicket to put Australia on the back foot by 30 overs when the score read 137/5. Thanks to Watson and Martyn a partnership of 86 runs were realised in just under 13 overs before Gough struck in the 42nd over to get rid of Watson. Hogg straight away signalled his intention by hitting a four.

Given the fighting attitude shown by England it may not be surpirsing if England press home a win in this thrilling enounter.

 

[crick4life]

Australia wins the game with 2 overs and 3 wickets to spare.

The match report and score card will follow later.

 

[crick4life]

Damien Martyn guides Australia to a comfortable win

Australia snatched a 3 wicket win in a cliff-hanging One-day International against England in Cardiff on Saturday after the tourists squandered a magnificent spell in the overs between 20-30.

In a hectic finish, young all-rounder Shane Watson and Damien Martyn held their nerves and helped Australia reach the target of 267 in 48.2 overs.
Australia's total was built on an unbeaten 83 by man-of-the-match Damien Martyn. He was helped by Ricky Ponting's 53 and Shane Watson's aggressive 57.

The England total looked adequate as England bowlers A.Flintoff and Wharf struck thrice between 25 and 30th over to have Australia struggling at 137/5.

But as soon Shane Watson joined the more assured Martyn, runs started to flow and momentum was lost as spinner Giles and Vaughan failed to weave the magic as in previous games. In the final overs, Gough struck to remove Shane Watson for a well made 57 and still threatened to take England to victory.

But Brad Hogg chipped in with 15 balls 18 and by the time he ran himself out the victory was almost unachievable by England.

 

[gold639]

Excellent!

Great innings by Martyn.

 

[T20]

Australia wins the game with 2 overs and 3 wickets to spare.

The match report and score card will follow later.

Disappointment for England fans another close game but not the result they were looking for.

Congrats to Australia for another good chase though
it's 2-2 then! bring on the grand finale..

 

[gold639]

So when are you playing the final match?

 

[crick4life]

It was a good game yet again S, really enjoying these chases. It seems atleast 3-4 batsmen look in good touch for Autralia in each game but at any point of time if we start playing one too many strokes then there is always a mistimed shot ending the inning (read Ponting, Watson and Hayden). Also very glad to see the bowlers come back with wickets. Now the wicket keeper and the slips are very well utilised through out the 50 overs otherwise we would have raked over 300 runs each time.

The 267 was a pretty good total but maybe another 10-15 runs would have tested the OZs. Again England were in the hunt untill the last couple or three overs. This time around with Martyn I was very conservative with stroke making. Most of the times I just played singles using him and with other players I took chance.

It's your call now S, what are the conditions for the last game?

 

[jazz]

the final should be an cracker

 

[jonah]

Well played Ravi, great run chase, especially from 130 odd for 5. I suspect Vaughan may point to that shocker from Bowden against Flintoff as the turning point .
Looking forward to the final .

 

[T20]

Lords ready for the Natwest decider

Report from Geoffrey Boycott
The keenly contested Natwest series tied at 2-2, moves into it's final game at Lords. England took an early lead in the series as they raced to a 2-0 lead but in the last 2 games Australians have made a strong comeback to make sure the series is not decided till the final match and they will start as favorites in this one.
This series so far dominated by batsmen with Trescothick leading with 3 centuries to his name, followed by some good knocks from Flintoff, Ponting, Martyn and looking at the pitch it looks like the trend will continue in the final game as well.
There is some chance of the rain but with the weather clearing in last few days looks like we are in for yet another great contest. Pitch is dry and looking at the success teams had in chasing so far the toss may prove important. With just couple of hours to go before the start we see England coach having a word with the players, while the Australians no doubt also working on their strategy. We will be back with toss and live telecast shortly.

 

[The Champ]

Great coverage buddy, excllent stuff, i think we can expect a full house in Lords

 

[m_vaughan]

Batting second is the KEY!

 

[T20]

Simon Jones included in England XI for the final Natwest series match

Batting lineup:
M. Trescothick
V. Solanki
M. Vaughan (c)
A. Strauss
K. Pietersen
A. Flintoff
G. Jones +
S. Jones
A. Giles
D. Gough
S. Harmison

Bowling lineup:
D. Gough (RF)
S. Harmison (RF)
A. Flintoff (RMF)
A. Giles (SLA)
S. Jones (RF)
M. Vaughan (OB)
M. Trescothick (RM)