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January 19, 2007 (Link to Scorecard)

Australia worked hard for a four-wicket win in a low scoring game at Perth against England, which was the fourth match of the Commonwealth Bank Series. Despite putting up just 155 on the board, England could salvage some pride by picking up the Australia wickets at regular interval. However, a poor umpiring decision allowed Michael Hussey to steer the Kangaroos to a hard earned victory. Australia earned a bonus point also by getting those runs inside 40 overs.

England are still yet to win any match against Australia on this tour. They had come quite close in pulling off a magical victory in today's day night affair at the Gabba which had plenty of zip for the pace bowlers. Jon Lewis exploited the conditions to the maximum as his wickets of Gilchrist and Hayden had got Australia to stutter initially. Lewis could take two more wickets in the 10 overs that he had bowled with both Andrew Symonds and Michael Clarke getting caught behind. Jon Lewis had the best figures of the match with 4 for 36 from 10 overs, which included two maidens. However, it was Michael Hussey, the man who sealed the victory with his cool temperament. He brought up a 45-run partnership with Michael Clarke (36) when his side had slipped to 4 for 48. The left handed Hussey finished the match with an unbroken 48-run partnership with Brett Lee for the 7th wicket. Hussey remained unbeaten on 46 from 73 balls, he struck 5 fours and a lucky top edge to a hook off Flintoff that went sailing into the stands. Brett Lee had batted responsibly for his 20 not out. England would believe that they were unlucky as Hussey was not given caught behind off James Anderson when he was on 19 and with his side requiring 53 to win with only 5 wickets in hand. Anderson had bowled well for his 2 for 29 in 10 overs which also had three maidens. The English captain for the day, Andrew Flintoff bowled with lot of fire, often bowling at over 144kmph, but he couldn't get a single wicket for his lion hearted efforts.

There were few changes made by both the sides coming into this match. England gave ODI Debut for yet another veteran first class cricketer. Mal Loye from Lancashire had taken Michael Vaughan's place in the side with the skipper ruled out due to a hamstring injury sustained against New Zealand. Monty Panesar had to make way for seamer, Chris Tremlett. The Australians made three changes with Adam Gilchrist captaining the side as Ponting was rested. Brad Hodge took his place while Brett Lee returned back after a chest infection and so was Glenn McGrath. Stuart Clark and Ben Hilfenhaus had to make way for these two famous fast bowlers. Mal Loye made his presence felt in the middle as he slog swept Brett Lee for a six much to the shock of the 30,000 plus crowd. The new England opening combination of Strauss and Loye put on fifty for the first wicket, which was a tremendous achievement. But when the first wicket fell at 52, the second fell at 56, the third and fourth at 70 and then there was no looking back for the Australian team. Andrew Flintoff with 27 and Jamie Dalrymple with 31 had got England to 155. They were bowled out with 8 overs to go! The top scorer was Mal Loye with 36 from 35 balls, his innings also had 5 fours along with that memorable six. Nathan Bracken and Glenn McGrath chipped in with three wickets each. Brett Lee was expensive with two sixes scored of his bowling, he finished with 2 for 53 from 10.

 

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