England qualified for the finals of the triangular one-day series despite losing to Australia by four wickets at Adelaide Oval today. Australia made 153 for six in 47.3 overs in reply to England's 152 all out in 48.3 overs. The World Cup champions were unable to achieve their target within 40 overs and claim a bonus point, which meant England picked up one point to be on 20, six ahead of Sri Lanka, with Australia gaining five to be on 32.
Left-arm paceman Nathan Bracken won the man of the match award after ripping through England's top order to take three for 21 from seven overs. Paul Collingwood, who made 63 not out, was one of only four England batsmen to reach double figures.
Australia's batsmen also struggled on the slow wicket apart from Damien Martyn, who hit 59, and Michael Bevan, who made 30. The pair put on 91 for the third wicket before both fell to spinner Ian Blackwell who took a career-best three for 26 from 10 overs. Debutant Michael Clarke, 21, guided Australia to victory with a cool 39 not out including three boundaries.
Australia host Sri Lanka on Tuesday in Melbourne in the last game of the series before the best-of-three finals start on January 23. If Sri Lanka beat Australia and gain a bonus point to draw level with England they would still be eliminated on their head-to-head record of 1-3 against England.
Filed by James Boylan.
