ENGLAND CAMPAIGN ENDS AS AUSSIES WIN

Javed Ali, SQUARE CUT, YaHind Sports

Englishmen hope of making it to the Championship Trophy diminished as they were defeated by Australia in the 6th match of the Tournament being played at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur. For Australia whom everyone consider as strongest contender was not a convincing victory, their main area of worry is the dismal form of their captain Ricky Ponting with the bat, he as failed to reach double figures in two matches Australia has played so far. Even after winning the toss on a lively pitch England were asked to bat first by Ponting, Andrew Strauss and Ian Bell started off To a fine beginning to reach 82 for no loss in 18 overs, England should have capitalized at this podium but Shane Watson did not allow this to happen as he wrecked the English innings with 3 wickets giving away only 16 runs in 7 overs, the yound lad who rejoined the team Mitchell Johnson with sheer pace captured 3 wickets also and England were reduced to 169 all out in 45 overs. Australia began cautiously as it was not easy to chase under the flood-lights, the hard hitting Gilchrist was bowled with a beauty from Sajid Mahmood, it was left to the middle order to take up the issue, Damien Martyn played splendidly scoring 78 in company of Mike Hussey and see Australia through and was declared Man of the Match.