Matches (16)
IPL (2)
WT20 Qualifier (4)
County DIV1 (4)
County DIV2 (3)
SL vs AFG [A-Team] (1)
BAN v IND [W] (1)
PAK v WI [W] (1)
Match reports

England v Australia, 2012

Wisden's review of the fifth ODI, England v Australia, 2012

Richard Hobson
15-Apr-2012
At Manchester, July 10 (day/night). England won by seven wickets (D/L method). Toss: England.
A cold, gloomy evening at a ground still under reconstruction proved an appropriately miserable occasion for the end of Australia's tour. Once again they were outplayed, unable to post enough runs in bowler-friendly conditions, then lacking the depth in their own attack to back up a promising start. Rain initially restricted the game to a 32-overs affair, and England soon dismantled a rejigged batting order by taking four wickets in 31 balls. Wade, promoted to open in the absence of Watson, looked particularly unhappy: he ate up 41 deliveries for his dozen runs. Tredwell generated significant turn in his first international appearance since the World Cup quarter-final in Colombo in March 2011, and Bopara again provided a golden arm, strangling Smith down the leg side with his first-ball loosener, then persuading Hussey to nick a shortish delivery. Warner was positive early on, but it needed some late hitting from Bailey, who waited 27 balls for his first boundary, to bring the total even close to respectability; three dropped catches in the opening overs had helped Australia's cause. A short shower reduced England's target to 138 from 29 overs, and they never looked back after Cook, when eight, successfully reviewed a caught-behind decision by umpire Aleem Dar off the bowling of McKay. Working spin neatly, Cook added 92 with Bopara, whose cool, unbeaten 52 from 56 balls included several meaty drives through the off side.
Man of the Match: R. S. Bopara. Man of the Series: I. R. Bell.