You have to feel a bit for Andrew Strauss and Jonathan Trott. When England can amass what would normally be a match-winning total, only to suffer a last-over defeat, it must be difficult to accept your plight. However, that's what happened today at the SCG, and the Ashes euphoria is fading fast.
Despite the injury crisis mainly afflicting his bowlers, Strauss had criticised recent performances of the batsmen, including himself. Therefore, when he and Trott were making hay in the baking heat of Sydney, scoring almost a run a ball at 121-1, the world must have seen an altogether happier place. The skipper cursed himself for clipping to mid-wicket when well set, but Trott, ably supported by Pietersen, Bell (brilliant during the Powerplay) and Morgan, defied everything the bowlers could hurl at him. The draining temperatures and humidity left him needing a runner towards the end of his innings but he kept his head to compile his highest ODI score, 137, to follow his Adelaide century last week. He was last out as England finished their 50 overs on 333-6, their sixth highest total to date, amazingly without a single six being struck.
However, Australia have grown in confidence since their Test series pummelling. Shane Watson has shown what a world-class all-rounder he is; a reliable, quick-scoring opener, and today he blasted another rapid half-century before Yardy tempted him into a rash stroke. Haddin had been the first to go but the returning Callum Ferguson and promoted Mitch Johnson accelerated powerfully in the middle of the innings giving the side hope of achieving a target they had never previously chased down. Thanks in at to the left-hander's two big sixes, the Aussies were always up with the run rate so never had to resort to desperation. It was left to captain Michael Clarke to steer his team home, and he seemed to relish the responsibility. His innings of 82 in 70 balls, ended by a beautiful runout by Trott, was an example of how to do the job and a reminder of what Eoin Morgan has failed to demonstrate on this tour for the opposition. Hastings hit the winning boundary off Chris Woakes, who buckled under the strain in the last over, and the SCG erupted.
No side had ever scored more runs batting second to beat England. The match aggregate of 677 runs is the second largest ever in Australia. All memorable statistical records, but more significant was the way the successful chase had given Clarke and co the belief they had been missing earlier in the winter, especially with the World Cup approaching. True, England's attack was desperately toothless, with no Shazad, Broad, Bresnan, Tremlett or Collingwood. However, the normally excellent Anderson went for an embarrassing 91 from ten overs so it wasn't the understudies who let the side down.
Australia know what it's like to post a world-record total and lose. It happened in Johannesburg four years ago when their 434-4 was overhauled by South Africa with Herschelle Gibbs in devastating form. Nevertheless, leading 5-1 against England they must now be fancying their chances of winning the World Cup for the fourth time in succession. Will Ponting even get his place back?! In the mean time, the action now moves on to Perth where England will hope to gain a consolation prize and prevent another 6-1 series defeat to match the one in 2009. A few fit bowlers would help!
