Update
Australia 248 all out (46.4 Overs)
A. Symonds 69(88)
I. Harvey 29(39)
A. Gilchrist 29(35)
D. Martyn 27(35)
England 264-9 (50 Overs)
England win by 16 runs
England win the Natwest series
Man of the Match: Paul Collingwood (ENG)
Man of the Series: Ian Harvey (AUS)
It was the 17th of January 1999, the last time when England beat Australia in an one day international. Well its taken them almost 6 years to beat the Aussies since then, but they have beaten them in the final of the Natwest series, a tournament which had been dominated the Aussies, winning all the group matches, and beating England three times in the process. But England will say - Alls well that ends well. Yes, England have beaten Australia by sixteen runs in the Natwest series final at Lords, just four days after being thrashed by the Aussies on the ground in a 116 run defeat.
But it was a cracking match between these two sides. Lets have a look at the scorecard first.
So as you can see, just in the case of England, lots of players getting out cheaply. Only Andrew Symonds able to get a decent score, and stay till pretty much the end.
The Aussies had gotoff to a flashy start with both Hayden and Gilchrist going after Harmison and Hoggard. Hoggard did dismiss Hayden and then Ponting in the very next ball, but runs continued to come thick and fast for the aussies. As a result, Vaughan had to introduce James Anderson as early as in the 7th over. Anderson responded well and dismissed Adam Gilchrist for 29. Michael Vaughan, looking at the amount of turn that Giles was getting, decided to have a bowl himself. Not only did he do well, but he also picked up two vital wickets of Martyn and Clarke and put the Aussies in a spot of trouble at 97-5. After this both Giles and Vaughan checked the run rate, and put intense pressure on Symonds and Harvey. Harvey was next one to be dismissed for 29, thanks to a fine catch by the England captain. Craig White was then clean bowled by James Anderson and so was Andy Bichel before the dangerman Andrew Symonds was dismissed by Hoggard. Australia at this stage were 216-9, and had their no.10 and no.11 in the middle. They needed another 49 runs in 42 balls at 7 rpo, but more importantly they had just one wicket in hand. However, England became a bit too complacent, and Lee and Gillespie too full advantage hitting some crucial boundaries. Suddenly it was 21 runs required off 23 balls, and the pendulum had swung back in Australia's way. Anderson came in with a pitched up delivery which was smashed through the off side for four by Gillespie to make it 17 required off the 22 balls. Anderson followed this with a slower ball, which Gillespie missed, but nothing happened. Anderson then followed this with one of his trademark yorkers, and had Gillespie clean bowled, to win his team the Natwest series 2004. The England players were overjoyed, and couldnt believe their eyes. The Australians looked very disappointed especially their captain, Ricky Ponting. The players of both sides then shook each other's hands, before Michael Vaughan was handed his second Natwest series trophy. Vaughan hailed the spirit and character of his team while Aussie captain Ponting expressed his disappointment but said he was proud of his teams performance. Ponting also said that there should be best of three finals to decide triangular tournaments like this.
Highlights
England celebrate
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