England's Steve Harmison took a career-best five-wicket haul and Kevin Pietersen blasted 91 not out off just 65 balls on Sunday as Australia suffered a second consecutive triangular series one-day defeat. The world champions, whose reverse against Bangladesh in their opening match on Saturday was one of the greatest upsets in cricket history, produced a much-improved display only to lose out by three wickets in a dramatic finale.
It was Australia's fourth defeat in a week in all forms of cricket and their bowlers suffered the most, with Kasprowicz smacked for 68 off nine overs for one wicket and Gillespie's 10 going for 66.
Pietersen's extraordinary knock sealed the win with 15 balls to spare. The South-African born right-hander hammered eight fours and four sixes, with his last white-hot 61 runs blazed off 26 deliveries.
Harmison seemed to have set up victory with five for 33 as Australia were restricted to 252 for nine after opting to bat at a packed, sun-drenched Bristol's County Ground but Glenn McGrath led the fight back, taking two early wickets and strangling the England top-order.
Comments
Comments are closed.