Ashes 2002/3 | Australia v England 5th Test | Sydney

Australia v England Sydney Cricket Ground 2,3,4,5,6 January 2003 (5-day match)

Result: England won by 225 runs

Umpires : DL Orchard (SA) and RB Tiffin (Zim)

Match Reports :Match Reports : Day 1; Day 2; Day 3 - Day 4 - Day 5 - Steve Waugh hits 29th 100

They took their time but England finally completed an unexpected and rare win over Australia in Sydney to prevent an Ashes whitewash and inflict a first home defeat for four years on the hosts.

However sweet the victory and performance by the tourists, they have to remain level headed and remember it is their only first class victory of the tour, quite a sobering thought after so much hype and promise before the tour began last November.

Andy Caddick, so often these days a second innings bowler, wrapped up the Australian side almost single handed with seven wickets costing 94 runs. Although he was expensive, England certainly had the runs to play on an ever unpredictable wicket.

Andy Bichel who had been brilliant as night watchman on the fourth day was the first wicket to fall, failing to add the one run required to score his first Test half century for Australia. Steve Waugh entered once again to a standing ovation from the crowd and looked comfortable under he played on from Andy Caddick for six runs. Looking rather dejectedly he walked slowly off to the safety of the dressing room, only to jog the last few paces as he neared the gate.

A constant stream of wickets fell before lunch including Damien Martyn (inside edge off Dawson, caught behind by Alec Stewart) who threatened together with Love to make life awkward for England. Harmison claimed Love's wicket with a ball that kept low and bowled him off his pads.

Gilchrist was determined to go down fighting hit a superb 37 before he fell to a dubious decision; the umpire deemed the ball had hit the players glove but replays were inconclusive.

Lee, looking more an all rounder every time he plays for Australia hit an aggressive 46 before he fell to Caddick and the final bell rang when MacGill fell in the same over.

It marked the end of a spirited tail end fight back by Australia but it wasn't enough to deny England a deserved victory.

Back to Ashes 2002/3 Home

334notout.com blog: Deep Fine Leg - Latest Posts