England survive thriller to seal the series by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Ground:	Old Trafford, Manchester
Scorecard:	England v Australia
Player:	GP Swann, SW Tait, TT Bresnan, AJ Strauss
Event:	Australia in British Isles 2010

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DateLine: 27th June 2010

 

England survived a collapse to beat Australia by one wicket in the third one-day international at Old Trafford to take an unbeateable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

 

England's victory ended world champions Australia's run of seven straight one-day series and tournament wins following their 3-2 loss in South Africa last year.

 

Strauss fielded first after England had twice won chasing in four-wicket victories at the Rose Bowl and Cardiff earlier this week.

 

The Australian top-order once again failed miserably. Swann did most of the damage and pace bowler James Anderson polished off the tail on his way to three for 22 off eight as Australia were bowled out for 212 with four overs to spare. Paine was severe on Bresnan, taking 18 off one over from the Yorkshire seamer. But a first-wicket stand worth 75 ended in the 14th over as Yardy, with his third ball, had Paine, playing back, plumb lbw.

 

Ponting's 16-ball struggle ended when, going down the pitch, he was beaten legside by Swann and wicketkeeper Kieswetter completed a neat stumping.Watson went on to a 54-ball fifty but gave his wicket away when top-edging a flick off Swann to square leg where Strauss held the easy catch.

 

Anderson ended the innings with a burst of three for five in seven balls.

 

England, set 213 to win were cruising to victory at 185 for three. But they lost six wickets for 18 runs in 39 balls as they slumped to 203 for nine. Australia were given hope when Tait produced a brilliant yorker to clean up Craig Kieswetter for nought. Australian were provided another chance to celebrate when Tait held a sharp return catch to dismiss Kevin Pietersen for 25.

 

Left-hander Strauss shared stands of 76 with Paul Collingwood (40) and 57 with Eoin Morgan (27) before he fell having faced 121 balls with eight fours.

 

But they lost six wickets for 18 runs in 39 balls as they slumped to 203 for nine. One of the men out was England captain Andrew Strauss, who made his best ODI score against Australia of 87. But Tim Bresnan (14 not out) held his nerve and, with four needed off the last over, edged James Hopes to the boundary as England, who finished on 214 for nine, won with five balls to spare.