Jonathan Trott hit a century and took two vital wickets to lead England to a 21-run win over Australia in the fourth one-day international, keeping the seven-match series alive.
Trott scored 102, his second ODI century, as England made 299-8 after winning the toss. He then took the wickets of Cameron White for 44 and David Hussey for 28, breaking two crucial partnerships as Australia was eventually held to 278-7 in reply.
Australia leads 3-1 in the series ahead of the fifth match in Brisbane on Sunday. Trott reached his century from 117 balls but was out nine balls later for 102 as England took advantage of ideal batting conditions to post a competitive but not unassailable total.
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At 100-1 after 15 overs, England was on target to score well in excess of 300 but slow bowlers Steven Smith and David Hussey shared seven wickets to knock the tourists off stride. Trott’s innings and Matt Prior’s 67 were eventually vital in supporting a faltering England middle-order.
Australia attempted a methodically paced chase for victory, dependent at first on the guidance of opener Shane Watson. Watson scored 64 from 72 balls, but when he was out in the 24th over with the total on 116-4, Australia faced a demanding run-rate to achieve its fourth straight one-day win.
The hosts remained in the hunt as partnerships between White and Hussey and White and Smith threatened to break England’s grip on the match, but part-time spinner Trott broke both stands to push his team closer to victory.
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Trott finished with 2-31 from seven overs, James Anderson took 2-57 and Paul Collingwood took 1-22 from seven overs as England effectively put the brakes on Australia’s scoring.
Smith finished on 46 not out and Brett Lee 39 not out in an unbroken partnership that added 77 for the eighth-wicket. However, the size of the run chase proved too great.
Earlier, Brett Lee sprayed the first ball of the England innings down leg-side for five wides but recovered his line to have captain Andrew Strauss caught by wicketkeeper Brad Haddin for 8 in his second over.
England made a poor start to be 23-1, but was steadily revived by a 113-run second-wicket partnership between Prior and Trott.
At 90-1, Trott defended a ball from Lee, which rolled back onto his stumps without dislodging the bails. Prior set off for a run and found himself at the same end of the pitch as Trott, who was impeded in his attempt to run by Lee, fielding the ball on his follow-through.
In running, Trott managed to stay between Lee and the stumps at the non-striker’s end, and the bowler’s throw went well wide. Prior hit a six off Lee’s next ball to bring up his half-century from 39 balls. Trott, who was content to play a subordinate role, followed him to 50 from 65 balls.
Smith became a significant impediment to England’s progress when the leg-spinner dismissed Prior for 67 with the total on 136. He then removed Ian Bell for a golden duck.
Hussey also struck twice in quick succession, removing Trott with the total on 224 and then Eoin Morgan for 24 at 227. Smith finished with 3-33 and Hussey 2-21. Collingwood made 27 in putting on a half-century partnership at better than a run-a-ball with Yardy, who finished 39 not out.