Ashes Tour 2006/7 - Commonwealth Bank Series - Brisbane, Gabba - Australia v England

High: 23°C | Low: 13°C   Wind: E at 8 km/h, Humidity: 36% Match Australia v England - Date 12th January, 2007 Match Type Commonwealth Bank ODI Series - Umpires IL Howell (South Africa) and DJ Harper Toss England - Decision Bat Result Australia Won by 4 Wickets - Venue Gabba, Brisbane - Report Ashes 2006/7 Index Ashes 2006/7 News Online Shop Fixtures & Results A concerted effort by England in the field wasn't enough to fend off Australia as the home side won a hard fought contest by four wickets in Brisbane.   Flintoff, standing in for injured Michael Vaughan, won the toss and elected to bat in cloudy conditions but despite a confident opening stand of 52 England collapsed yet again to post a very modest total of 155 on a good wicket. Loye, flown in from New Zealand, played a magnificent run a ball of 36 and together with Strauss at the other end, his innings included an edge over slip for six off Lee's bowling moved the score on nicely. Lee and Bracken opened the bowling, the former back from his spell of Bronchitis, but it was Bracken who continued his fine one day bowling conceding just 14 runs off his first six overs. Loye was the first to fall when a delivery from Bracken found the edge of the bat and he held out to Hayden at first slip.   Despite the highest opening partnership of the tour for England the wicket was soon followed by another when Strauss was caught by a flying one handed catch by Brad Hodge for 18, McGrath taking the first of three wickets in his eight overs. Ed Joyce failed again scoring just five runs from 15 deliveries, caught behind off McGrath, his wicket signalling a collapse with Bell and Collingwood back in the change rooms in the space of one run. Bell was victim to arguably one of the best run outs of the tour.  Batting with Collingwood the pair were caught in two minds and ended up stranded in the middle as Cameron White, sprawled out on his stomach threw the ball out of the back of his hand and hit the stumps from 30 yards. it was a remarkable effort but one that spoke volumes of Australia in the field this season.      Flintoff for the second game in a row looked in good form but as soon as he tried to increase the pace he held out to a wonderful catch at deep square leg by Hodge, it was his second catch of the innings. Dalrymple was the last to depart on 31, the second highest score of the innings behind Loye. It was a poor performance from England after electing to bat and it left Australia requiring a run rate of 3.12 to win. Both McGrath and Bracken took three wickets apiece and Lee two.   Australia in reply made heavy work of the run chase losing quick wickets to John Lewis and Anderson, in fact Anderson and Lewis, one way or another had a hand in every wicket that fell today. Both bowlers combined to dismiss Gilchrist (8) and Hayden (19) and with Brad Hodge (0) coming in at number three for the rested Ricky Ponting he lasted three balls before Anderson combined with Dalrymple to send him back to the pavilion.   Symonds lasted just six balls, Lewis taking his third of four wickets, and Australia were struggling to chase down a modest total at 4 for 48. Anderson's opening eight overs went for just 19 runs, a remarkable turn around from his earlier form.Hussey and Clarke combined to move the game away from England albeit at a slow pace but just as England thought the game was lost Lewis struck, Clarke going for a restricted 36 runs off 62 deliveries.   Fresh from his destructive innings against New Zealand, Cameron White lasted nine balls for his five runs before he was adjudged leg before to Anderson. Australia at the time still required 48 runs to win and given the two quick wickets the game was once again uncertain.However just as the home side looked to be on the slide, Hussey (46) and Lee (20) combined for an unbeaten partnership  to win the one day match by four wickets.   England will take some pride from a match they should have won especially after the start Lewis and Anderson gave the visitors however Australia's resolve and depth in batting and the aggressive fielding swayed the match in their favour. Australia now take on New Zealand on Sunday.

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