Eoin Morgan Century Leads England to Beat Australia in the first ODI at Southampton
England completed a comprehensive 4 wicket win against their age old rivals Australia, in the first game of the 5 match ODI series in England.
Led by Eoin Morgan, England got to the target with ease in the end. A brilliant century from Morgan was the cornerstone for England’s chase.
Earlier, Australia’s Twenty20 captain, Michael Clarke, led his team to a respectable total of 267. Australia won the toss and chose to bat first, on a pitch which at first did look friendly for the batsmen. Openers Shane Watson and Tim Paine started the innings on a positive note. The pair put on 52 inside 9 overs with some delightful strokes, making full use of the field restrictions and lifting the ball over the top on every opportunity. Watson, who failed against Ireland in a warm up game, was back in good touch. Scoring 32 from 23 balls with 6 boundaries, he was caught and bowled by Stuart Broad, with the total at 52. Ponting, still trying to feel his way back in, was less than convincing, scoring 21 runs from 23 balls, which included 3 boundaries. The captain was caught by Broad on the bowling of Luke Wright. Earlier, wicketkeeper-batsman Tim Paine was Wright’s first wicket, bowled for a 26 cautious runs from 43 balls with 3 fours.
Big hitting all-rounder Cameron White was in next, but after nudging it around for a while was sent back; James Anderson disturbed his castle for just 10 runs from 19 balls. Michael Clarke though held up the other end, with Mr. Cricket Michael Hussey offering him some support with a well made 28. Both put on 70 for the 5th wicket, before Hussey was caught behind on the bowling of left arm spinner Michael Yardy. Hussey scored not a single boundary in his 28 run innings.
Next man in was James Hopes, who scored 34 from 38 balls; he was caught by Bresnan on the bowling of Anderson. Meanwhile, Clarke continued to slowly pile on the runs from the other end with a number of short partnerships. Nathan Hauritz played a cameo of 22 from 17 balls to guide his team to 267 at the end of 50 overs. Clarke remained not out on 87 from 97 balls, with 7 boundaries.
England started their chase in shaky fashion. Captain Andrew Strauss, just like his opposite number (Ponting), has not been able to get himself back in form after sitting out the T20 World Cup. He was the first one to go, caught behind on the bowling of Ryan Harris for just 10 runs from 11 balls (with 2 boundaries). Next in was their talismanic batsman Kevin Pietersen, who was the man of the tournament in the T20 World Cup, and he continued his good form for a while. He added 59 with Kieswetter for the 2nd wicket, before being caught by Ponting on the bowling of Shane Watson for 29 (with 4 boundaries).
Next in was Paul Collingwood, who could not impress much, and left for just 11 from 23 balls, caught by Hopes on the bowling of Watson for his 2nd wicket. 3 overs before that, England’s 2nd opener Kieswetter was also sent back for 38 (with 6 fours and one six). He was cleaned up by Hazlewood. England were in a spot of bother at 4 for 97, but in came their most dependent player in recent times, Eoin Morgan.
Morgan started in his typical manner, sizing up the bowling and taking his time, nudging around for little ones and twos; while at the other end, he got able support from all rounder Luke Wright. The left and right combination worked well, as both put on 95 for the 5th wicket, before Wright was dismissed for 36 from 48 balls (including 1 four and a six).
Morgan, though, carried on joined by another man with a cool head, fast bowler Tim Bresnan. With the required rate below 5, both continued to get runs easily. Morgan though did not let go of his creative and inventive stroke play, and continued to give headaches to the Australian bowlers while inching towards his century.
By the 43rd over, both started playing some big strokes, as a win was in striking distance. And in the end, England got home with 4 overs to spare, with a delightful straight drive from Morgan, which also completed his match winning hundred. Morgan was named the man of the match for his excellent ton (he made an overall 103 runs off 85 balls.)
England now leads the 5 match series 1-0.
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