Aussies wrap up series with three to go

Published on Saturday 12 September 2009 19:38

THE one-day series is over. That it only took four matches for Australia to reach an unassailable position is testament to England's ineptitude at the shorter game. If anything, yesterday's defeat was even more comprehensive than the previous three which actually meant England have gone from poor to absolutely clueless.

A devastating spell of fast bowling from Brett Lee at Lord's helped Australia to a seven-wicket win and an unassailable 4-0 lead in the seven-match one-day series against England. Lee claimed five for 49 from nine overs to restrict England to just 220 all out from 46.3 overs after they had won the toss in good batting conditions on a sunny morning.

Captain Andrew Strauss continued his good form over the English summer with a top score of 63 in 75 deliveries but he was the only England player to craft any substantial innings. Australia reached 221-3 in reply with 6.2 overs remaining.

The batting has been weak all series and it is quite clear that only Strauss has a defined game plan. Ravi Bopara is trying to rebuild his shattered confidence from the Test series. Owais Shah is constantly concerned about his place and plays accordingly, Matt Prior looks exhausted while Joe Denly and Eoin Morgan are youngsters new to the side. It is not a line-up that would scare a county team let alone Australia.

Tactically England are poor as well. The final power play is treated like a live hand grenade and the middle overs are never attacked, merely endured with batsmen content to pick up singles.

In short there is lack of pace, intensity and aggression, the three things that one-day cricket is meant to be about.

Australia in contrast attack with the bat, although yesterday they barely needed to, field like gazelles and always try and take wickets. That is why Ricky Ponting, returning as captain, brought back Lee with a burst in the middle overs. Wickets then and the game was over and Lee duly delivered with fast reverse-swinging yorkers.

NatWest Series: Lord's England 220 (A J Strauss 63, B Lee 5-49) v Australia 221-3 (M J Clarke 62 no, TD Paine 51) Australia beat England by 7 wkts