Natwest Series Cricket - Clarke and Harris’ heroics save Australia from whitewash
Australian batsmen finally stood up to the challenge posted by their arch-rivals England as they won the 4th match of the ODI series. With this victory, they have avoided clean sweep at the hands of the Englishmen. For the first time in the series; Australian batsmen led by Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke posted a defendable total on the scoreboard. Ryan Harris led the bowling department as his five-wicket haul enabled Australia to record a win by 78 runs.
With this victory Australia ends England’s eight-match winning streak starting from their tour of South Africa in November. England came into this match after sealing the series by winning the first three matches. And it was apparent that English players were not as determined as they were before. On the other hand, Aussies were resolute to salvage some respect from this series.
England bowlers, who bowled brilliantly in earlier matches, looked out of flair in this match as they constantly bowled loose balls. Australian batsmen fully capitalized onto it as they bashed Anderson, Bresnan, Swann and Yardy all over the park. For Australia, the duo of Ponting and Clarke was instrumental as they put a stand 155 runs together. With aggressive batting from both captain and vice-captain, Australia was able to put on their best total of the series. Australia made 290 for 5 in 50 overs.
Clarke was tantalisingly close as he made 99 unbeaten. He took single off the first ball of the 50th over which took him to 99. After that he watched Steven Smith as he faced the rest of the over, leaving Clarke as the ninth player in ODI history to remain unbeaten on 99, and the third Australian after Dean Jones and Brad Hodge. Clarke along with Ponting steered the Australian innings after Australian openers once again failed to provide a solid platform. Ponting made 92 from 93 balls when he was removed by Anderson. Commenting on Aussie victory, Ponting said, “We've lost the series, but it's nice to play well, and I'm proud of the boys for the way they played today. What I said to the boys this morning was that we had to keep backing their instincts and talents, and soon enough our best cricket was going to come out.”
Australian bowlers also rose to the occasion as they dismantled the English batting line-up. Against a bowling attack accelerated by Shaun Tait and led by Harris, who collected his third five-wicket haul in a 16-game career, England batsmen found it difficult to cope with the Australian bowling onslaught. Despite having big names in the line-up, England lost wickets on regular intervals.
Strauss started the innings confidently but as soon as it was looking that England will be able to grind victory from this match, Shaun Tait struck and removed the English captain. Strauss made 37 as he was caught behind. Kevin Pietersen was the next man to go as he was caught LBW by Harris. Eoin Morgan and Yardy provided some resistance but after their dismissal, it was obvious that Australia would win the match. Morgan made 47 where as Yardy scored 57. In the end, England’s efforts were short of 78 runs as they were bowled out for a nominal 212.
England skipper Andrew Strauss was upset over the missed chance of whitewashing the Australians. Talking to reporters after the match, he said, “We didn't get enough things right today. We got off to a pretty good start with the ball, but Clarke and Ponting played really well in the middle period, where we had done best in the first three games.” He further added, “The whitewash wasn’t a secret hope. We were very hopeful we could do it. What we were trying to focus on was getting it to 4-0. But Aussies did what you expect them to do; they came back hard at us today. They had three excellent performances in the game, and that's why they won”
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