adminHOBART. – Steven Smith maintained his purple patch to hit a brilliant unbeaten 102 to secure Australia’s three-wicket victory against England in a high-scoring tri-series cricket match at Hobart yesterday.Brad Haddin also chipped in with a quickfire 42 off 29 balls as the hosts chased down the daunting 304-run target with one ball to spare to pick up their third consecutive win and reach the final of the tournament, also featuring India.
Ian Bell’s career-best 141 had powered England to 303-8 but they were left to rue their inability to score freely during the closing stages, which Australia used superbly to claim victory.
Stand-in captain Smith, who scored four centuries against India during their recent 2-0 test series win, continued his rich vein of form to complete another ton on his one-day international captaincy debut, his third in the 50-over format.
Shaun Marsh (45), who replaced the injured David Warner, and Aaron Finch (32) gave Australia the ideal platform for the chase with a brisk opening stand of 76.
England fast bowler Steven Finn, who took five wickets on Tuesday to destroy India, dismissed Marsh and Cameron White (0) in three deliveries leaving it to Smith to resurrect Australia from 92-3. -AFP.
Online Reporter