hit high towards cow corner and although it hangs in the air for what seems like an eternity it drops between two incoming fielders
Australia vs England, 2nd Final at Sydney, Feb 11 2007 - Ball by Ball Commentary
RESULT
2nd Final (D/N), Sydney, February 11, 2007, Commonwealth Bank Series
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end of over 2711 runs
AUS: 152/8CRR: 5.62 • RRR: 9.83
Nathan Bracken3 (3b)
Brett Lee10 (7b 2x4)
Paul Collingwood 4-0-26-2
Jamie Dalrymple 4-0-25-1
Well, that's the end of a long series and for Australia a defeat which is not the end of the world but which does raise some questions so soon before the World Cup. And a sad home farewell for Glenn McGrath, and a losing one also for John Buchanan.
England have not become world-beaters overnight, but they will be confident heading to the Caribbean. A fortnight ago they were a shambles, now they look a unit.
Australia now head to New Zealand for three more ODIs starting next Friday in the Chappell-Hadlee series, games which are now more important than they were a week ago. If they lose that series then concerns will continue to grow.
From me, Martin Williamson, and from my fellow commentators Andrew Miller, Jenny Thompson, Will Luke and Andrew McGlashan, thank you for staying with us through the summer and for your kind comments. We are off to have a rest and will be back for the World Cup in a month's time.
Presentations These are, to quote Mark Taylor, in the "bowels of the Bradman Stand". Surely they are not in hiding?!
Player of the Finals Paul Collingwood. "Australia taught us a lesson in the Tests but it's good to end on a high."
Player of the Series Ricky Ponting.
Andrew Flintoff clutches an uber cheque ... makes the usual platitudes. "The lads in the dressing-room are cock-a-hoop. It's been a tough trip but to take something home is a great thrill. The past four games are as good as I've seen an England one-day side play. I'd like to thank Duncan Fletcher. he's taken knocks and it's nice to pay something back to him."
10.50pm England's dressing erupts into celebration as the announcement comes through confirming that they have won this match by 34 runs and with it the CB Series 2-0.
10.45pm The Barmy Army are singing in the rain but there is now a report that the umpires are saying there are 10 minutes to go before the game can be called off! Utter confusion and a PA announcement would be nice.
10.42pm It's got heavier ... I suspect that is it. England are not celebrating yet but the grins are unmistakable.
10.41pm Still raining, covers are on and the stands are emptying fast.
10.39pm This is bad for Australia. They should be 187 to win the game if it ends now. And if they are not playing in six minutes time (10.45pm/1145GMT) then it's all over. The countdown begins ...
It's raining again and the umpires are consulting ... the crowd boo and all that happens is that the ball is changed. Liam Plunkett into the attack for his last over. Loud boos around the ground as the umpires take the players off as it gets heavier.
26.6
2
PD Collingwood to Bracken, 2 runs
Lee implores the square-leg umpire to call that as a no-ball ... nothing doing
26.5
1
PD Collingwood to Lee, 1 run
full toss, smashed to deep midwicket
26.4
4
PD Collingwood to Lee, FOUR runs
full, hit straight and well for a one -bounce four. he really got hold of that
Collingwood moves some men to leg as that;s where Lee is aiming
26.3
4
PD Collingwood to Lee, FOUR runs
waist-high full toss heaved over midwicket, Mahmood makes a sprawling dive on the boundary edge ...but it's in vain
26.2
•
PD Collingwood to Lee, no run
speared in at Lee's legs and he is slow to get his bat down
26.1
•
PD Collingwood to Lee, no run
that was a real mow, which he missed by some way
end of over 268 runs • 1 wicket
AUS: 141/8CRR: 5.42 • RRR: 10.00
Brett Lee1 (2b)
Nathan Bracken1 (2b)
Jamie Dalrymple 4-0-25-1
Paul Collingwood 3-0-15-2
And the crowd is heading for the exits in large numbers ...
25.6
1
Dalrymple to Lee, 1 run
full toss smacked to Bell who has to dive for a second time in as many balls to stop it
25.5
1
Dalrymple to Bracken, 1 run
driven to the right of Bell at extra cover and he throws himself forward and makes a really good stop
25.4
•
Dalrymple to Bracken, no run
pushed back, Dalrymple sprints to his right to field
Nathan Bracken with a lot to do. 72 runs from 45 balls.
25.3
W
Dalrymple to Hodge, OUT
full length, Hodge drives well but uppishly and straight to Ian Bell on the 30-yard line at extra cover. He hurls the ball into the night sky as Hodge's head sags ...
Brad Hodge c Bell b Dalrymple 49 (46b 5x4 1x6 85m) SR: 106.52
25.2
•
Dalrymple to Hodge, no run
Hodge shapes to hit another bigger hit but misses
Apparently D/L is an algorithm, not a logarithm. Told you it was beyond our ken!
25.1
6
Dalrymple to Hodge, SIX runs
a big swat over midwicket about 20 rows back
Jamie Dalrymple back on for Andrew Flintoff who bowled just the one over
end of over 257 runs • 1 wicket
AUS: 133/7CRR: 5.32 • RRR: 9.75
Brett Lee0 (1b)
Brad Hodge43 (43b 5x4)
Paul Collingwood 3-0-15-2
Andrew Flintoff 5-1-10-1
And for about the first time in this one-day series the Barmy Army can be heard
24.6
•
PD Collingwood to Lee, no run
Lee turns that round the corner, looks for a single but is sent back
Collingwood trots back to get some sawdust and keep Lee waiting that little bit longer.
24.5
1
PD Collingwood to Hodge, 1 run
short, pulled past a diving midwicket but there's a man in the deep
Lee strides purposefully to the middle ... he won't be on strike
A lot of readers grumbling about the Duckworth-Lewis calculations. "Can someone explain how losing 17 overs only equates to 35 runs?" says Bernad Law among others. Well, it's all to do with a jolly clever logarithm that takes into account wickets lost and momentum surrendered and all sorts of things that are beyond our ken.
24.4
W
PD Collingwood to Hogg, OUT
Hogg tries to repeat the shot but Collingwood bowled that wider and he had to reach for it ... he didn't get hold of it and it looped to Flintoff at wide midwicket and he took an easy catch
Brad Hogg c Flintoff b Collingwood 10 (14b 1x4 0x6 17m) SR: 71.42
24.3
4
PD Collingwood to Hogg, FOUR runs
full toss, smashed over cow corner and it bounces a yard inside the rope
24.2
1
PD Collingwood to Hodge, 1 run
Hodge gives himself room, doesn't time it and it bobbles to Flintoff at extra cover
24.1
1
PD Collingwood to Hogg, 1 run
Full toss, thumped to Panesar at long-on and as a sign of the times, they don't risk one to his arm
Rate required 9.44
end of over 246 runs
AUS: 126/6CRR: 5.25 • RRR: 9.44
Brad Hogg5 (11b)
Brad Hodge41 (41b 5x4)
Andrew Flintoff 5-1-10-1
Paul Collingwood 2-0-8-1
England will be happy to have him on strike
23.6
1
Flintoff to Hogg, 1 run
yorker, Hogg steps to leg and chops the ball into the covers
23.5
•
Flintoff to Hogg, no run
short and fast, Hogg swings at thin air
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