Australia’s Champions Trophy dream still alive

Australia has kept alive their ICC Champions Trophy aspirations, defeating England by six-wickets at Jaipur in India overnight.

Led by Western Australian duo Damien Martyn and Mike Hussey, Australia chased down the modest 170-run target in 36.5 overs with relative ease despite losing three quick wickets after a short rain delay.

The Australians have begun the summer rivalry with England on a positive note, winning the first match between the two nations since last years fifth and final Test of the Ashes Series held in England.

Shane Watson was promoted up the batting line-up to open with Adam Gilchrist. The move paid off as Australia surged away to be 0-30 in the fourth over when the heavens opened.

However, England hit back after the short delay with Sajid Mahmood claiming two of the three quick wickets that fell. Gilchrist (10) had taken to Mahmood in his first over but was taken out on the first ball back from the rain stoppage.

Ponting followed two overs later, handing Mahmood his second wicket, while Watson was third dismissed – bowled by James Anderson for 21. Australia had crashed to 3-34 in the seventh over.

The match was a contest again with either team able to win from that point, however, Martyn and Hussey firmly took control from the English with a 118-run fourth wicket partnership that saw Australia coast to a convincing victory.

With the victory target in sight, Martyn (78) was caught behind by keeper Chris Read. Mike Hussey remained unbeaten on 32, while Andrew Symonds finished with eight.

Earlier, Australian captain Ricky Ponting won the toss and had no hesitation sending England into bat first and thus avoiding having to bowl under lights in the dewy ground conditions.

England openers, Ian Bell and Andrew Strauss began slowly with only three runs off the first three overs. However, the introduction of Glenn McGrath into the bowling attack, after five overs, saw Strauss hammer his first two balls to the boundary.

Bell went on to make 43 after being dropped by Martyn when he was on 23, while Strauss showed he is no top-order bunny with a well made and top score of 56.

The English middle-order failed to make the same impact as the openers and crumbled to Watson, who took 3-16 off seven overs, and Mitchell Johnson, 3-40 (10 overs).

Only Paul Collingwood, batting at six, provided some resistance to remain not out on 22, while tail-ender James Anderson upstaged several teammates with 15 runs off 19 balls. England was bowled out for 169 in 45 overs.

Both teams have one match left in the group stage of the tournament. England plays the West Indies at Ahmedabad next Saturday in a replay of the 2004 Final, while India hosts Australia at Mohali on Sunday.

England innings:
A STRAUSS c Gilchrist b Symonds 56 (90)
I BELL c Hussey b Watson 43 (60)
K PIETERSEN c Gilchrist b Johnson 1 (6)
A FLINTOFF c Hussey b Watson 4 (15)
M YARDY c Gilchrist b Watson 4 (15)
P COLLINGWOOD not out 22 (38)
J DALRYMPLE c Ponting b Johnson 3 (15)
C READ c Gilchrist b McGrath 0 (2)
S MAHMOOD c & b Bracken 8 (13)
S HARMISON c Gilchrist b Johnson 1 (3)
J ANDRESON b McGrath 15 (19)

Extras (lb 3, nb 6, wd 3) 12
Total all out for 169

Fall: 1-83 (Bell, 18.2 ov), 2-84 (Pietersen, 19.2 ov), 3-110 (Flintoff, 25.5 ov), 4-115 (Strauss, 28.6 ov), 5-125 (Yardy, 31.1 ov), 6-135 (Dalrymple, 35.5 ov), 7-136 (Read, 36.6 ov), 8-150 (Mahmood, 40.2 ov), 9-151 (Harmison, 41.1 ov), 10-169 (Anderson, 44.6 ov)

Bowling: B Lee 9-3-25-0 (2nb, 1wd), N Bracken 8-0-38-1 (1wd), G McGrath 9-1-36-2 (1nb), M Johnson 10-0-40-3 (1nb, 1wd), S Watson 7-0-16-3 (2nb), A Symonds 2-0-11-1

Batting time: 212 minutes. Overs: 45

Australia innings:
A GILCHRIST b Mahmood 10 (10)
S WATSON b Anderson 21 (26)
R PONTING c Strauss b Mahmood 1 (4)
D MARTYN c Read b Harmison 78 (91)
M HUSSEY not out 32 (85)
A SYMONDS not out 8 (10)

Extras (b 4, lb 5, nb 5, wd 6) 20
Total 4 wkts for 170

Did not bat: M Clarke, M Johnson, B Lee, N Bracken, G McGrath.

Fall: 1-30 (Gilchrist, 3.6 ov), 2-34 (Ponting, 5.6 ov), 3-34 (Watson, 6.4 ov), 4-152 (Martyn, 34.1 ov)

Bowling: J Anderson 9-2-31-1 (3w), S Mahmood 10-0-57-2 (4nb, 2w), S Harmison 4.5-0-45-1 (1nb, 1w), M Yardy 10-1-18-0, J Dalrymple 3-0-10-0

Batting time: 167 minutes. Overs: 36.5.

Result: Australia won by 6 wickets
MOTM: D Martyn (Aus)
Toss: Australia
Umpires: B Bowden (New Zealand) and S Bucknor (West Indies)
TV umpire: D Harper (Australia)
Match referee: J Crowe (New Zealand)

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