Aussies falter at the Final Hurdle

England wins

The Aussies lost the ploy at Chester-Le-Street and went down to the Hosts England by 4 wickets. This means that the series ended 6-1 in the favor of the visitors.

Batting first Australia started in the most miserable fashion possible loosing their openers Watson and Paine cheaply for 0 and 4 respectively. Only 5 Batsmen were able to reach in the double figures with Ricky Ponting scoring a flawless half century.

It was all England in the whole match with Aussies loosing regular wickets. The most successful bowler for the Hosts was Gramme Swann with figures of 10-1-28-5. Thats a match winning spell be it any conditions. An economy of less than 3 runs per over and add to that the 5 wickets in the last column. A captains Delight indeed.

Australia at one stage were struggling so badly that they were reduced to 138 / 6. Finally they managed 176 /10 in 45.5 Overs. Not even facing the entire 50 overs.

England started their chase in an emphatic fashion with both the openers Strauss and Denly scoring 47 and 53 respectively. They had taken the score to 106 when the first wicket feel, with Strauss being bamboozled by Hauritz. But England being England, they still managed to make a meal of their chase of 177 to win, slumping from 106 for 0 to 141 for 5 before Paul Collingwood dragged them kicking and screaming to a spectacularly inglorious victory.

Finally all well that ends well, with the english team registering their first win in the ODI series. On account of loosing this match the Aussies head into the next weeks Champions Trophy as only the 3rd Best Team, behind South Africa and India.

But in all a very professional display by the aussies and they will be a team to beat, as they take a great winning momentum with them in the Champions Trophy. India has a tough group with the Pakistan, Australia and West Indies.

In all it should be a great and a competitive Champions Trophy.