Johnson rescues Australia
Mitchell Johnson’s rapid unbeaten 43 helped lift Australia to a total
of 249 for eight in the second one-day international against England at
Lord’s here on Sunday. Johnson faced just 23 balls, hitting five fours
and, together with Nathan Hauritz, shared an unbroken stand of 41 in 28
balls after the world champions were in danger of being bowled out
inside their alloted 50 overs at 201 for eight in the 46th.
Callum Ferguson top-scored with 55, his second successive fifty after
his man-of-the-match winning 71 not out in Australia’s four-run win in
Friday’s first of a seven-match series at the Oval.
Changes of pace once more proved tough for Australia’s top-order to
handle and, as Johnson showed when he teed off in the closing stages,
runs were easier to come by against the frontline quicks.
Australia made a steady start after England captain Andrew Strauss
again won the toss.
But from 62 without loss, Australia lost two wickets for two runs in
eight balls to be 64 for two.
Pace bowler Tim Bresnan, one of two changes after coming replacing
Yorkshire team-mate and leg-spinner Adil Rashid, broke the opening
stand.
But it needed a fine catch by a leaping Luke Wright at short
extra-cover to dismiss Shane Watson for 34, featuring five fours, off a
hard-hit drive.
Tim Paine fell soon afterwards when a skied flick off the deceptively
lively Wright was safely held by Eoin Morgan, in for the injured Stuart
Broad (neck), at mid-wicket.
Wright then captured the prize wicket of star batsman Michael Clarke,
captaining Australia in the absence of the resting Ricky Ponting, for
four.
Clarke, trying to hook a short ball, could only glove through to
wicketkeeper Matt Prior.
It now fell to Cameron White, who also made a fifty on Friday, and
Ferguson to repair the damage.
LONDON, Sunday (AFP)
AUSTRALIA
S. Watson c Wright b Bresnan 34
T. Paine c Morgan b Wright 26
C. White c Prior b Bopara 42
M. Clarke c Prior b Wright 4
C. Ferguson b Anderson 55
M. Hussey b Swann 8
J. Hopes lbw b Swann 11
M. Johnson not out 43
B. Lee c Shah b Sidebottom 0
N. Hauritz not out 10
Extras (b4, lb4, w8) 16
Total (8 wkts, 50 overs) 249
Did not bat: N Bracken
Fall of wickets: 1-62 (Watson), 2-64 (Paine), 3-73 (Clarke), 4-142 (White), 5-155 (Hussey),
6-179 (Hopes), 7-201 (Ferguson), 8-208 (Lee).
Bowling: Anderson 9-0-57-1 (4w); Sidebottom 9-0-45-1 (2w); Bresnan 7-0-25-1 (1w);
Wright 10-0-52-2 (1w); Collingwood 4-0-19-0; Swann 8-0-31-2; Bopara 3-0-12-1 |
