Michael Clarke’s brilliant century, coupled with his partnership with George Bailey, set Australia on the way to a winning total of 315 in the second One-Day International against England at a sunny Old Trafford, Manchester on Sunday Sept 8.
Clarke’s remarkable 105 off 102 deliveries, and Bailey’s impressive 82 off only 67, were instrumental in setting an unassailable run chase for England.
Clarke coming to the wicket early in the 13th over, when the score was 60-2, took the score on to 116 with Aaron Finch, before Finch was caught by Root off the bowling of Tredwell. But it was his next partnership of 155, with Bailey, that took the Australian score to 271-4 with seven overs still left in the innings and put the Australians in a strong position.
The unlikely dismissal of Bailey off a Bopara rank long-hop was the start of Australia losing some quick wickets. Wade and Clarke departed three overs later making the score 283-6. James Faulkner was also dismissed with the score on 307, but the Aussies still had plenty of wickets in hand and finished with a total of 315-7.
England lost early wickets and never fully recovered to achieve the run-rate necessary to reach the target. Opener Pietersen scored a solid 60 of 44 balls, Jos Buttler made an impressive 75 off 65 balls and Eion Morgan hit 54 off 60 deliveries, but with seven batsmen not making double figures a win was never on the cards.
With the first ODI at Headdingley being washed out, without a ball being bowled, this puts Australia one-up in the one day series with three matches still to be played.
The remaining matches are at Edgebaston on Wed Sept 11, Cardiff on Sat Sept 14 and Southampton on Mon Sept 16.
