Cricket: Morgan’s ton starts England's 5 match series against Australia on a winning note
Eoin Morgan struck a stunning unbeaten century to guide England to a four wicket win over their arch rivals Australia in opening one-day match of the five match series, played at the Rose Bowl stadium in Southampton.
The Irishman pulled the hosts from a tricky situation in their chase of 268 runs, with a stroke filled hundred that included as many as 16 fours and came off a mere 85 balls.
Morgan arrived at the crease in the 17th over of the innings after the dismissal of wicket-keeper batsman Craig Kieswetter. He found useful support from Luke Wright that helped stabilise the chase from a jittery position of 97 for four after skipper Paul Collingwood fell tamely to seamer Shane Watson.
Morgan and Wright added 95 runs in their match winning union that resurrected the hosts, and helped them overcome the tricky target under the lights at the Rose Bowl.
The two added their runs of 89 balls, and the partnership was actually what brought the English team right back, just in the nick of time when the Aussies were tightening the screws around the opposition.
Luke Wright was dismissed by Ryan Harris. The right-hander contributed 36 runs off 48 balls. His knock included one four and one towering six off Shane Watson who had a forgettable night with the ball conceding 55 runs of his 8 overs.
After Wright’s departure Tim Bresnan gave useful support to Morgan, smashing a rapid fire 27 runs off 29 balls, including three fours to seal Australia’s fate, he was eventually cleaned-up by Ryan Harris, with the hosts’ four runs away from their victory target.
The task was duly completed by Morgan, who brought up his ton along with the winning boundary, and the ecstatic left-hander leapt in joy before embracing his then batting partner Michael Yardy.
Morgan was deservedly named man of the match for his outstanding knock that has proved the Aussies would find the English team tougher to beat then the team they trounced 6-1 in a seven match ODI series last year, following England’s Ashes win.
Meanwhile the Australians won the toss and opted to bat first in batting friendly conditions, the Kangaroos were off to a shaky start, despite Watson and Tim Paine adding 52 runs for the opening wicket.
From 52 for no loss the Aussies lost three wickets, and were stuttering at 86 for 3 in the 18th over of their innings, their position worsened with the loss of Cameron White with the total on 98 in the 22nd over of the innings.
The Australian situation was redeemed by Michael Clarke and Mr. Cricket Mike Hussey; the duo added 70 runs for the fifth wicket in 13 overs.
Hussey was dismissed for 28 runs, scored off 38 balls; Clarke was then joined by James Hopes the two added 55 runs for the sixth wicket, Hopes scored 38 runs off 34 balls to bolster the total.
Clarke on the other hand continued to dominate the bowling scoring 87 runs off 97 balls in his unbeaten knock that also featured seven hits to the fence.
A late flourish to the innings was provided by Nathan Hauritz who scored 22 runs off 20 balls, with three hits to the fence.
Australia posted a sizeable total of 267 runs and at one time it seemed that they would sneak a win, before Eoin Morgan’s special knock
For England, James Anderson, Stuart Broad and medium pacer Luke Wright chipped in with two wickets each, while left arm spinner Michael Yardy dismissed Mike Hussey, during his ten over spell in which he conceded 41 runs.
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