Australia took a 1-0 lead in the seven-match series against England with a tense win at the Oval. After losing the toss, being put out to bat and a restricted start against some strong England bowling, Callum Ferguson's spectacular 71 helped his side to establish a respectable score of 260 for 5. The home side's batting in reply was a let-down. England scored slowly and left the lower order with too much to do, falling four runs short in the chase.
Australia:
41 for 1 after 10 overs: England - The home side held back the Aussies nicely, Tim Paine foolishly running himself out for a duck.
94 for 2 after 20 overs: Australia - After building up a good foundation to make a fine partnership and progress, Shane Watson gave away an easy return catch, a present to Paul Collingwood, out for 46. But that was all England had to cheer about really.
178 for 3 after 40 overs: Australia - Callum Ferguson and Clarke both made fine contributions, looking comfortable.
260 for 5 after 50 overs: Australia - What a blast at the end, Ferguson reached his fourth one-day half-century in the process, using the batting powerplay well, producing over 40 runs. Clarke's miscue went straight to Owais Shah at cover seeing him out for 45 shortly before and Michael Hussey fell at the end of the powerplay, bowled by Ryan Sidebottom for 20. They made over 20 more runs from the last couple of overs to reach a fine, defendable total. The Aussies will definitely be the happier with their finish.
England:
45 for 1 after 10 overs: Australia - The Aussies have done their homework on Matt Prior, keeping him restrained and under pressure after skipper Andrew Strauss fell riding his luck and placing a big heave straight to White at slip after hitting a similar ball for four the previous delivery.
83 for 1 after 20 overs: Australia - And they keep bowling wide, frustrating England. There have been only few boundary cuts, nothing else worth mentioning.
126 for 3 after 30 overs: Australia - The control stays on the bowling side. Prior was caught out for 38 with a bizarre reverse sweep that sailed straight to Mitchell Johnson at short third-man. Ravi Bopara was stumped by Paine for 49 as he could not slide back in time to make it to his half-century, very frustrating for him.
168 for 5 after 40 overs: Australia - Johnson beat Owais Shah with pure speed sending him back onto his own stumps, out for 40. Collingwood followed him to the stands soon after, beaten by a stunning catch in the air by Watson as England need boundaries desperately!
256 for 8 after 50 overs: England - At least the lower order made a fight of it! Adil Rashid and Luke Wright were bashing it in after Stuart Broad spooned a catch to Clarke at backward point and fell for just two runs. After some brilliant boundaries, powerful and with speed, Wright (38) fell at the end of the last powerplay trying another paddle at a no ball, which ended up rolling onto his stumps. Graeme Swann followed soon after caught behind for just four. England ran out of batsmen in the end, leaving the rush of runs too late and missing out by five runs. But at least made a bit of a match and nailbiter of it at the bitter end.
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