Andrew Bichel starred with both bat and ball to guide reigning champions Australia to a record 12th successive one-day victory when they defeated a battling England by two wickets in the World Cup in Port Elizabeth. Bichel took seven for 20, the second-best figures in World Cup history, before his unbeaten 34 off 36 balls helped Michael Bevan, 74 not out, put on 73 for the eighth wicket as Australia won with two deliveries to spare.
Australia, chasing England's seemingly modest 204 for eight, collapsed to 29 for four and later 135 for eight. They needed 13 off 11 balls when Bichel hoisted James Anderson for a huge six and next ball drove him for four. England captain Nasser Hussain somehow chose not to bowl out Andrew Caddick even though the Somerset paceman had routed the top order with four for 35 in nine overs.
Australia needed just two off the final over, bowled by Andrew Flintoff, but with four balls left Flintoff failed to cling onto a fiercely hit Bichel drive. A Michael Vaughan misfield then gifted Australia a single before Bevan hit the winning runs. Bevan hit six fours and one six to see Australia into the Super Sixes with an all-win record and to a 14th one-day win in a row against England.
Hussain's men must now hope Pakistan beat Zimbabwe on Tuesday and that their run-rate is superior to the Asian giants'. A Zimbabwe victory will knock England out.
Filed by Shane Murray
