England elect to bat first in the second of the best-of-three CB Series finals and Ed Joyce is soon finding the boundary
Glenn McGrath removes Joyce in the ninth over as England strive to repeat their win in the first final in Melbourne
The baton passes to Mal Loye, who struggles early on but starts to impress just before rain hits after 15 overs
But from the first ball after the second rain break, Loye is run out by Matthew Hayden after a bright 45
Andrew Strauss departs shortly after, providing an edge to Adam Gilchrist behind the stumps and leaving England at 86-3
Ian Bell fails to make his ground as sharp work in the field from Michael Hussey puts the brakes on England's innings
Andrew Flintoff and Paul Collingwood consolidate but a brilliant caught and bowled by Brett Lee accounts for Flintoff for 42
Collingwood top scores with 70 but England's momentum slows towards the end of their 50 overs
In his last international at his home ground, McGrath dismisses Paul Nixon with the last ball to leave England at 246-8
England make early inroads when Collingwood at short mid-off snaps up Matthew Hayden's drive off Sajid Mahmood
Liam Plunkett has Australia at 35-2 when he forces an edge from dangerman Ricky Ponting and Strauss holds on at slip
The Duckworth/Lewis method is brought into play after more rain in Sydney, with Australia's revised target 227 in 41 overs
Plunkett bowls Gilchrist with the first ball after the delay and then dismisses Michael Clarke to have Australia at 40-4
Flintoff removes Hussey for a duck but then rain intervenes again and threatens to scupper England's chances
A diving catch from Jamie Dalrymple, when play resumes, removes Shane Watson and puts England within sight of glory
The players leave the field for rain again, with Australia on 152-8, and after a short delay England are awarded the game
England enjoy their first overseas one-day tournament win since 1997 and a positive end to a tough tour of Australia
|
~RS~a~RS~International~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~53~RS~){kind=small}
E-mail this to a friend
