Stewart hails gutsy Giles (17 January 1999)

i17 January 1999

Stewart hails gutsy Giles

AFP

SYDNEY, Jan 17 (AFP) - England captain Alec Stewart admitted after his team's seven-run win over Australia on Sunday that the match had hung in the balance until well into the final over.

Stewart, for whom left-armer Ashley Giles bowled a superb final over in his first match on tour, oversaw a fine England performance with the bat and eventually with the ball, as the Aussies finished just short of a target of 283 to win.

But he was quick to admit the day-night match could have gone either way right up to the end.

"We did not have it in the bag until two balls to go. They played exceptionally well, but we also batted exceptionally well today," said Stewart.

He also paid tribute to the contribution of Giles, who ensured after a poor start in his first two overs, that the runs scored by century-maker Graeme Hick did not go to waste.

"He has shown he has guts when he has played for Warwickshire, and that is one of the reasons why he has been picked to come over here," said the England captain.

Giles said he was inspired by the Sydney Cricket Ground.

"It is absolutely amazing. It is my first game on the trip, and to play at Sydney under the lights in front of a packed house is fantastic," he said.

Source :: AFP