Australia has won the fifth game of the Natwest series at Trent Bridge against England to go 5-0 up in the seven game series. Chasing a target of 300 for a win, the Aussies got to their target with ten balls and four wickets to spare.
Batting first after winning their fifth successive toss, England batted exactly like how they had throughout the series; getting starts and getting out. Both the openers Andrew Strauss and Joe Denly got into their 30s and 40s, as did Matt Prior and Owais Shah, but it was only a valiant half century by Eoin Morgan that even got the English side close to what they would have expected on this belter of a pitch.
With no Brett Lee in the Aussie squad – rested for a game – the lower order romped away to a whopping 107 runs in the last 12 overs, as England scored 299 in their fifty overs.
In reply, the Aussies began positively as they have throughout the series, but Tim Paine could not repeat his performance in the previous game, departing for 16 only. Shane Watson looked good for his 36, but it was the third wicket stand between Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke that got the Aussies close.
The break that Ponting had seemed to have done him a world of good, as he smashed the bowling around for a century, while Clarke 52 off 64 balls gave him ample support – a partnership of 133 taking them closer. Even when Clarke and Hussey departed, the target was within reach, especially given that they still had the batting PowerPlay remaining.
In the end, Ponting scored 126 off 109 before perishing to Stuart Broad, and despite Callum Ferguson also following suit, Cameron White guided them to an easy win.
Ponting won the man of the match award.
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