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AUSTRALIA 249 (49.3 OVERS)
- Michael Clarke54 (74)
- Brad Haddin37 (52)
- Paul Collingwood1/36 (10)
- Chris Woakes6/45 (10)
So, some consolation for Australia after the Ashes with a one-day series win secured with two games to spare. It was a team effort from them with both bat and ball today, Michael Clarke finding some semblance of form with his half-century. It looked like England would push them close and perhaps even keep the series alive during Pietersen and Bell's 73-run stand, but after they were dismissed England collapsed in a heap before the tailenders slogged their way to a record-breaking, but ultimately futile, partnership. England certainly haven't been at their best in this series - Eoin Morgan's failure to fire has surely had something to do with that. He had a long break with very little cricket at all during the Tests, does that have something to do with it? England have two more games to get things right before they head to the subcontinent. With the series secured, Australia may well rest a few of the key bowlers - Brett Lee perhaps - to keep them fresh for the World Cup.
Read all about today's action in Andrew McGlashan's bulletin, and do stick with us to read some quotes from the presentation ceremony.
"We were never able to build any momentum, apart from Pietersen and Bell, and we've been very disappointed with the way we've played as a batting group in this series," says Andrew Strauss. "We've got what we've deserved. We've talked a lot about it, but talk doesn't bring you results. It's decision making in choosing which bowlers to attack and when.
"The reason we haven't got it right, I'm not sure, but hopefully we can use the last two games to fix our problems. Morgs [Eoin Morgan] has struggled, but you can't put it on his shoulders. Apart from Trott none of the batsmen have been great. We've played very badly, we certainly could've won the first two games. We haven't played smart cricket. It'll be different conditions at the World Cup. Woakes showed a lot of talent in the Twenty20s with the bat, and in this game bowled really well, hit the deck hard. The future is bright for him."
"Maybe the problem is that Eoin Morgan has now been worked out and his technical deficiencies exposed, in the way that they have been in Tests and even in 2nd Divisions County cricket where he has struggled to make an impact in recent seasons?" ponders Mark Kidger. "I wonder if he will still be in the side this time next year (and I hope that I am wrong on this)..." The thing is, if you look at his dismissals, he's getting out to bad balls or trying to do to much - soft dismissals rather than specific types of deliveries finding him out.
"I'm pleased with my performance with the ball today," says Chris Woakes. "The ball seemed to follow the fielders a bit. It would've been sweeter if it had resulted in a win. The wicket was slightly two-paced. I don't know about the World Cup," he says when asked if he's still harbouring hopes that in injury might somehow get him a place at the tournament. "I'm not in the side at the moment!"
"It was a very nice feeling to contribute with the bat, and to win the series," says Michael Clarke. "I thought 230 to 240 would've been a good effort. The wicket was a bit two-paced. Everyone contributed throughout the game, Brett Lee bowled really well too. Most importantly, plenty of money was raised for the flood appeal. There was a great turn-out today. England have done their bit with donations too."
That's all from your commentary team, George Binoy, Brydon Coverdale and Liam Brickhill. Join us again for the 6th match of the series at Sydney on Wednesday (14:20 local, 03:20 GMT). Until then, goodbye!
ST Finn b Watson 35 (34m 24b 5x4 1x6) SR: 145.83
58 runs from five overs, one wicket in hand. Surely not? Watson is brought on.
END OF OVER:45 | 5 Runs | ENG: 192/9 (58 runs required from 30 balls, RR: 4.26, RRR: 11.60)
- James Anderson20 (31b)
- Steven Finn29 (21b)
- Brett Lee7-0-21-2
- Doug Bollinger9-1-57-2
England tour of Australia 2010-11 News
Winning Down Under: England's post-war Ashes series victories in Australia
England have only won five Ashes series in Australia since 1945 - and one since the 1980s
CA contributed to 'panic' before Ashes - Watson
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And what is the greatest sporting event on this planet?
The glory that was the Australia-England ODI series
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