Alastair Cook credits Graeme Swann for six-wicket win over Australia – Cricket News Update
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746, at the Oval.
"Where we were really quite strong today was when http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ernest-William-Swanton-c56374 came on," said Cook at the post-match press conference after Australia’s thumping which gave them a 2-0 lead in the five match series.
"We squeezed really, really well - with a few overs from http://www.senore.com/Cricket/RD-Shah-c2298 as well. From 20 to 35 overs, we did that really well, picked up the odd wicket, and never really allowed them to get that momentum going to get a big score," he added further.
After the Australian skipper opted to bat first, the English bowlers restricted the visiting batting line up to an average score of 251 for 7, in their stipulated 50 overs. Graeme Swann returned as the most economical bowler, conceding just 27 runs in eight
overs and claimed Shane Watson’s prized scalp as well. All-rounder http://www.senore.com/Cricket/RS-Bopara-c2373 well supported Swann returning with figures of one for 16 in a tight spell of five overs.
Bopara then played a calculated knock of 82 runs from 85 balls, plundering eight boundaries as well, as the hosts chased down the 252-run target in the 46th over, with six wickets to spare.
Cook said that 251 was a quite gettable total for his side on the batting friendly Oval track.
"At The Oval, 250 is always gettable," said the left-handed opener, who scored only 18 runs in the second one-dayer. "We chased 230 against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Adrian-Roger-Kirshaw-Pierson-c42135 to that same platform - and it was another really solid batting performance," he added
further.
Meanwhile, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MJ-Clarke-c1978, admitting that they have been outclassed by Cook and co. in the opening two bouts of the series, and urged his team to show improvement ahead of Wednesday’s match at Edgbaston, Birmingham.
"England outplayed us at Lord's and they certainly outplayed us here, so we need to get better quickly," said http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120 after the second successive defeat at the hands of traditional rivals.
The third ODI gets underway in Birmingham on July 4, and the Australians will be looking to comeback into the competition with a win.
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