Slater shines as England slip up again

Michael Slater and Michael Bevan have steered New South Wales to a resounding victory over the touring England XI at the Sydney Cricket Ground today by eight wickets after England set NSW a target of 206.

At the start of his innings Slater was a lost man on the stage of Australian cricket, but he restored some pride to his dented one-day career. When he held his bat aloft to the ecstatic Sydney crowd, his year and half in exile appeared no more than an unpleasant memory.

Slater played some extraordinary shots with confidence and exuberance. He crafted his innings, taking on Andrew Caddick, Andrew Flintoff and Steve Harmison - and winning. He eventually fell to Flintoff for 115, flicking the ball to Marcus Trescothick at mid-wicket. But after a 134-run partnership, England looked deflated instead of joyous at the wicket.

Briefly tied down in the first few overs with Corey Richards, Slater soon went on to the attack. But Richards was left behind with Slater dominating the strike, and soon fell for seven to Harmison, giving a simple catch to Andrew Flintoff at mid-on.

Bevan entered the arena but even this great one-day player was overshadowed by the brilliance of Slater. But the left-hander still showed what a talent he is, with a half-century off 70 balls, not matching the tempo of Slater but enough to defeat England.

Steve Waugh promoted himself to number four ahead of Michael Clarke as the innings came to an end. Omitted from the final 30 for the World Cup squad and not in the selectors' minds for the forthcoming one-day series, which begins next Friday, Waugh rattled out a reminder to the selectors with 24 runs from just 12 balls.

With only 25 runs needed and the bulk of the work done, Waugh slashed Ronnie Irani three times into the stands. The first six went to the back of the Members' stand and the second and third to the M.A Noble stand.

With only one run needed Waugh decided to dismiss Irani one more time, and before the next six even reached the fence he began the walk back to the pavilion. The Steve Waugh chant echoed around the stadium, emphasising the Aussie captain's popularity.