by The Professor » Thu Sep 08, 2016 7:07 am
On this day in 2013 a century for Michael Clarke see's Australia reach victory in the first ODI vs England.
Thing's started brightly for England. Steven Finn broke up the opening partnership with no runs on the board when he removed Shaun Marsh for a duck. Marsh's replacement, Shane Watson, had his, now customary, battle with DRS. He was given out first ball - which he overturned - Ravi Bopara then used it against him when he was on 38 and Watson had to walk. There was a glimpse of hope when James Tredwell got Finch making the score 116-3 but this brought together Clarke and George Bailey.
Clarke was the highlight of the Australia innings and he seared an 102 ball 105. He was ably supported by Bailey who also managed an impressive 75 from 65 balls. Clarke was eventually displaced by Boyd Rankin, who was the most impressive 'English' bowler with figures of 2-49. The rest of the bowling attack had to be happy restricting. Tredwell's contribution was in the negative, conceding far over a run a ball in his opening spells - he ended up with 60 off 8 overs. Australia posted 315.
England's pursuit never looked to be on and it seemed like Australia had put too much on the board. You can add to this a (mildly) triumphant return for Mitchell Johnson who returned figures of 2-36. His first victim, Michael Carberry, was down to fortune but his dismantling of Jonathan Trott was Johnson back at his best. This cluster of wickets came in just the third over. Ten overs later Joe Root went for a measly 3 - leaving England 38-3 and fighting a losing cause.
Kevin Pietersen and Eoin Morgan looked the only batsmen with the innovation and class to rise above this and got 60 and 54 respectively. Pietersen fell first on 94-7 and then England's wickets fell steadily: Ravi Bopara caught by Adam Voges for 1, Morgan bowled by Clint McKay, Ben Stokes making a poor error of judgement.
Jos Buttler scorched a consolation 75 off 85 balls but it was not enough to restore anything even close to parity. England ended 88 runs off Australia's total.
"It has been said of the unseen army of the dead, on their everlasting march, that when they are passing a rural cricket ground the Englishman falls out of the ranks for a moment to look over the gate and smile."