"13", "name" => "Cricket", "category" => "England Cricket", "path" => "/var/www/vhosts/betting.betfair.com/httpdocs/cricket/", "url" => "https://betting.betfair.com/cricket/", "title" => "England secure Commonwealth Bank glory : England Cricket : Cricket", "desc" => "England defeated Australia by 34 runs by the Duckworth-Lewis method in a rain-hit clash in Sydney to win the Commonwealth Bank Series. Paul Collingwood, England's century hero of Friday's first best-of-three finals success in Melbourne, was instrumental once again at...", "keywords" => "", "robots" => "index,follow" ); $category_sid = "sid=4615"; ?>

England secure Commonwealth Bank glory

England Cricket RSS / / 12 February 2007 /

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England defeated Australia by 34 runs by the Duckworth-Lewis method in a rain-hit clash in Sydney to win the Commonwealth Bank Series.

Paul Collingwood, England's century hero of Friday's first best-of-three finals success in Melbourne, was instrumental once again at the SCG as he fired 70 runs at the Sydney Cricket Ground as Andrew Flintoff's side ended their 50 overs on a steady 246 for eight.

However all the drama was reserved for the Australia innings as they looked to clinch the win required to prevent England winning 2-0 and ensure Tuesday's third game at Adelaide would go ahead.

The world champions were soon in trouble when Sajid Mahmood's slower ball was slapped to Collingwood to short cover by Matthew Hayden, before Durham fast-bowler Liam Plunkett accounted for skipper Ricky Ponting, who was caught by Andrew Strauss on just seven.

The first rain delay held up the action for 45 minutes, but when the Aussies resumed on 39 for two, Plunkett steamed in again to remove the prized wickets of Adam Gilchrist and Michael Clarke. Strauss' second catch of the day meant Flintoff removed Michael Hussey for a duck after just 10 balls as Australia were reeling on 79 for five chasing a revised figure of 211 from 33 overs.

When Shane Watson was removed thanks to a brilliant one-handed catch by Jamie Dalrymple, off the bowling of Collingwood, Australia's hopes looked doomed. Collingwood and Dalrymple then accounted for the wickets of Brads Hogg and Hodge respectively before the rain returned again with the hosts finishing on 152 for eight from 27 overs.

Revised figures from the Duckworth-Lewis method worked out England had clinched the game by 34 runs to ensure their first major overseas one-day tournament win since 1997 and a first success in this particular event in Australia since the 1986-87 Ashes-winning series.

Betfair punters have yet to be convinced that this setback for Australia will hamper their chances of World Cup glory.

Ponting's men are available at 2.94 to win cricket's showpiece event, which starts in March.

South Africa come into the reckoning at 8.2, while England head to the tournament with renewed confidence and can be found at 9.8 along with West Indies.

India and Pakistan are trading at 10.5 with Sri Lanka while are available at 10.

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