Trott's hundred in vain as Australia chase big

Match Report: Australia v England, 6th ODI, SCG, Sydney, Feb 2, 2011

It was Trott's highest ODI score. It was England's best total against Australia. But Australia produced their record chase in ODIs which was also the biggest total chased in Australia to win a thriller and go up 5-1 in the series. Their under-pressure captain Michael Clarke was the man who held the innings together after Watson and Johnson had laid a perfect foundation with their cameos.

Australia brought in Callum Ferguson and Shaun Tait for injured Shaun Marsh and Doug Bollinger respectively. Michael Yardy replaced injured Ajmal Shahzad for England. On a hot day, England opted to bat first after winning the toss. After quite 3 overs, Strauss and Prior started playing their shots but the latter was castled by Johnson in his first over. Jonathan Trott joined his captain and they put a stand of 80 runs at a good clip before Strauss was out for a well made 63 off 87 balls. Pietersen came in and was playing well until he had a rush of blood on the first ball of the batting powerplay from Lee and was caught at mid off for 29. Trott was now playing freely in sight of his 2nd hundred of the series. Ian Bell did not waste time and made full use of the powerplay. He continued to play aggressively and put on an entertaining 104 runs stand with Trott in just 11.4 overs. England were handsomely placed at 241 for 3 at 40 over mark. Trott completed his hundred in exactly 100 balls with 7 fours. He then gave a tough return catch to Watson who spilled it but Clarke did not drop a sharp catch offered by Bell off Tait. He made a quick-fire 45 off 32 balls. Morgan went back after a breezy little knock while Trott who was on 137 off 125 balls skied a pull shot high to be caught by the bowler Tait himself. England finished on 333 for 8, a record target to chase for Australia thanks to a brilliant innings by Trott. Tait was the best bowler with figures of 2 for 59.

Australia started in the best possible fashion getting 9 runs in one ball upfront. After Watson hit Woakes's first ball for a four, he gifted 5 wides down the leg side. Both batsmen had no trouble against Woakes and Anderson. Woakes was forced out of the attack but Watson punished Andersen with4 fours in one over to collect 19 runs. Australia completed 50 in the 6th over. Trott was the man again who stopped the onslaught by catching Haddin brilliantly at short fine leg off Anderson. Watson after completing a fiery fifty could not go on and was dismissed by Yardy for 51 off just 34 balls with 8 fours. Mitchel Johnson was promoted to number four to make use of the remaining bowling powerplay as a pinch-hitter. He along with Callum Ferguson built a vital 79 run partnership in less than 12 overs to keep the chase going. Johnson hit two huge sixes off Pietersen but then had a terrible mix-up with Ferguson resulting in the latter's run out. Ferguson made 46 in 44 balls. Captain Michael Clark then took the charge of the chase himself and played well without wasting too many deliveries. He ran quick singles and doubles with a boundary here and there as Johnson and White departed after giving him short company. Johnson made his second ODI fifty and was out for 57 off 59 balls stumped by Prior off Pietersen. David Hussey stayed long enough with his captain and together they propelled Australia towards the target with a 90-run 6th wicket partnership at 7.6 an over.

They took the batting powerplay when Australia required 70 runs from 8 overs. Clarke celebrated his 50 off 51 balls with a lovely six over square leg off Anderson. Anderson again was hit for six by Hussey to bring Australia 300 in the 46th over. Finn who was bowling better than others was brought back by England. This move gave a lease of life to them as Hussey nicked behind after he had made for 38 off 35 balls. Australia required 20 from the last 3 overs with 4 wickets in hand but Anderson bowled a tight 48th over in which they also got Smith run out. With 16 to get from 12 balls, Trott dropped Clarke as the ball burst through his fingers for four. He had taken a brilliant catch at the same spot earlier but this time his miss proved crucial for his team. But he made some amends by causing the run out of Clarke later in the same over with a brilliant throw. Clarke played a captain's knock of 82 off 70 balls with 4 fours and a six. Australia did not create any more dramas as Hastings got an edge for four to win the match with 4 balls to spare. Australia won the engrossing encounter by 2 wickets. For England Finn took 2 for 51 while Trott was made man of the match for his best ever knock in ODIs.

It was a thrilling chase in the end which provided a good exhibiton of ODI cricket. Australia definitely ae in a far better shape for the World Cup than England who are yet to find a winning combination. with one match to play, Australia would definitely want to repeat the same score-line of 6-1 which they had against England in the ODI series following the 2009 Ashes.

Match: Australia 334/8 ( Clarke 82, Watson 51; Finn 2/51) beat England 333/6 ( Trott 137, Strauss 63; Tait 2/59) by 2 wickets

Series: Aus lead by 5-1