England humiliate Australia by 77 runs

Australia slumped to their second straight loss in the Cathay Pacific/Standard Chartered Hong Kong Cricket Sixes 2001 being played at Kowloon Cricket Club in Hong Kong, on Saturday.

Australia won the toss and asked England to bat first. Matthew Maynard struck three boundaries of the Craig McDermott over to make it 20 runs of the first over for England. Tom Moody started off well but was hit for a six over extra cover and then a four through mid-wicket by Maynard. Moody's over cost Australia a relatively better 13 runs.

Greg Matthews bowled the third over and Maynard launched another assault. Maynard struck a couple of fours and then had to retire not out 32* off just 11 balls. Ben Hollioake struck a four and a huge six to make the over count for 19 runs. England were 52/0 after three overs.

Brendon Julian bowled an over that he would rather forget. 34 runs came off it as Flintoff and Hollioake took full toll of some loose bowling and fielding. Clearly the old aussies are made to struggle in Hong Kong. Flintoff had to retire not out 31* off 11 balls (5 fours, 1 six).

Dean Jones bowled the final over and there was no stopping the Englishmen. Hollioake struck three fours and a six in succession to retire not out 34* off 8 balls (4 fours, 3 sixes). Blackwell struck a boundary off the last ball to take the score to the biggest of the day 109 for no loss. Jones' over cost 23 runs for the Aussies.

Douglas Brown bowled a splendid opening over giving away just six runs. Left-arm spinner Blackwell was welcomed with a huge six over covers by Julian. Blackwell did well to finish the over giving away just 13 runs.

The two tall West Australians Tom Moody and Julian struggled to force the issue; all they could do was pick singles when sixes and fours were required. Hollioake bowled an excellent third over, giving away just five singles. Australia were 24 for no loss after the third over.

Collingwood made the first breakthrough by bowling Julian (21 off 14 balls). He bowled a brilliant over (1-0-6-1). David Hookes came out to bat and was doing what he does best these days, commentary!

Andrew Flintoff found himself on a hat-trick after cleaning up Tom Moody and Dean Jones. He missed out by just a whisker, the ball missing the leg stump not by much. Flintoff's over cost him just two runs in taking two wickets. Australia could only make 32/3 runs off their five overs and lost by 77 runs.