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Live: England v Australia Live: England v Australia
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England slumped to 115-4 after a positive start against Australia in their Champions Trophy game in Jaipur. England slumped to 125-5 after a positive start against Australia in their Champions Trophy game in Jaipur.
Ian Bell (43) put on 83 with Andrew Strauss before driving to cover and Kevin Pietersen fell for only one.Ian Bell (43) put on 83 with Andrew Strauss before driving to cover and Kevin Pietersen fell for only one.
Skipper Andrew Flintoff then holed out to deep square-leg to give Shane Watson his second wicket and Andrew Strauss edged Andrew Symonds behind for 56.Skipper Andrew Flintoff then holed out to deep square-leg to give Shane Watson his second wicket and Andrew Strauss edged Andrew Symonds behind for 56.
With 21 overs left, a challenging total was still possible but the Australian bowling was proving tough to get away. Michael Yardy appeared unlucky to be given caught behind off Watson and a challenging total was looking unlikely.
LATEST ACTIONLATEST ACTION
By Ben DirsBy Ben Dirs
ENGLAND INNINGSENGLAND INNINGS
33rd over (128-5): McGrath is back on and will want to improve on his first spell when he went for 27 runs off four overs. However, can England attack him in their precarious position? We'll see, but it's all depressingly familiar for England so far. Just two from the over.
32nd over: WICKET England 125-5 (Yardy c Gilchrist b Watson 4) Yardy is out in dubious circumstances, with the ball appearing to clip his hip rather than his bat. Poor decision by umpire Bowden and Dalrymple is next man in. Dalrymple is the next batsman and there's just one from the over.
31st over: Symonds has a confident lbw appeal turned down by umpire Bucknor before Yardy turns a full-toss round the corner for one. Collingwood uses his feet against Symonds and flicks him over mid-on for four.
30th over (118-4): Yardy gets off the mark with a nice stroke for one to backward point and new boy Collingwood follows with a clip off his legs.30th over (118-4): Yardy gets off the mark with a nice stroke for one to backward point and new boy Collingwood follows with a clip off his legs.
29th over: WICKET England 115-4 (Strauss c Gilchrist b Symonds 56) Symonds and his off-breaks are brought into the attack. Strauss gets two for a sweep. Strauss pulls down his strides and makes some adjustments before being beaten all ends up by two big turners. He then waits on one and glides it away for two. But Strauss, clearly rattled by Symonds, is out next ball, feathering one to Gilchrist. Sharp work by Australia and England's solid start is withering away.29th over: WICKET England 115-4 (Strauss c Gilchrist b Symonds 56) Symonds and his off-breaks are brought into the attack. Strauss gets two for a sweep. Strauss pulls down his strides and makes some adjustments before being beaten all ends up by two big turners. He then waits on one and glides it away for two. But Strauss, clearly rattled by Symonds, is out next ball, feathering one to Gilchrist. Sharp work by Australia and England's solid start is withering away.
28th over (111-3): England's run-rate has slowed to a trickle and all of a sudden a score of 250 seems very distant indeed. Strauss gets one down to backward point before Yardy misses with an extravagant swish. One from the over.28th over (111-3): England's run-rate has slowed to a trickle and all of a sudden a score of 250 seems very distant indeed. Strauss gets one down to backward point before Yardy misses with an extravagant swish. One from the over.
27th over (110-3): Yardy is England's number five - a big day for the Sussex all-rounder. He has a distinctive, wide stance, with his right leg kept well out of the way. He looks comfortable enough against the pace of Lee and plays out a maiden over.27th over (110-3): Yardy is England's number five - a big day for the Sussex all-rounder. He has a distinctive, wide stance, with his right leg kept well out of the way. He looks comfortable enough against the pace of Lee and plays out a maiden over.
26th over: WICKET England 110-3 (Flintoff c Hussey b Watson 4)Watson gives Flintoff a nudge with a brute that the England skipper ducks into. Smiles all round. Flintoff isn't smiling moments later when he pulls Watson straight down Hussey's throat at square-leg. Not a clever shot and Australia's cunning plan comes off.26th over: WICKET England 110-3 (Flintoff c Hussey b Watson 4)Watson gives Flintoff a nudge with a brute that the England skipper ducks into. Smiles all round. Flintoff isn't smiling moments later when he pulls Watson straight down Hussey's throat at square-leg. Not a clever shot and Australia's cunning plan comes off.
25th over: Strauss gets two to mid-wicket to move to 45. Strauss looks to have played himself into some form and carves Lee to the backward point boundary. Strauss plays an identical shot for a single to bring up his fifty - his 12th in one-day internationals.25th over: Strauss gets two to mid-wicket to move to 45. Strauss looks to have played himself into some form and carves Lee to the backward point boundary. Strauss plays an identical shot for a single to bring up his fifty - his 12th in one-day internationals.
24th over: Strauss brings up England's 100 with a scampered single. Good running by Flintoff. Flintoff has a waft and gets another thick outside edge for a single down to third man. Flintoff is gesticulating wildly for new gloves and almost edges to Gilchrist. Johnson looks a decent proposition, pretty quick with some nip off the pitch.24th over: Strauss brings up England's 100 with a scampered single. Good running by Flintoff. Flintoff has a waft and gets another thick outside edge for a single down to third man. Flintoff is gesticulating wildly for new gloves and almost edges to Gilchrist. Johnson looks a decent proposition, pretty quick with some nip off the pitch.
23rd over (98-2): Lee is on for his second spell and is bang on the money with his first three balls. Symonds makes a sprawling stop in the covers to deny Strauss a single and it's a maiden.23rd over (98-2): Lee is on for his second spell and is bang on the money with his first three balls. Symonds makes a sprawling stop in the covers to deny Strauss a single and it's a maiden.
22nd over (98-2): Johnson has a decent lbw appeal against Strauss turned down by umpire Bowden. Perhaps Bowden thought the batsman got some wood on it. Johnson drops short and Strauss helps the ball to the boundary to move to 41. Johnson is a piercer, in that he has a metal stud drilled below his bottom lip. Fred Spofforth will be turning in his grave.22nd over (98-2): Johnson has a decent lbw appeal against Strauss turned down by umpire Bowden. Perhaps Bowden thought the batsman got some wood on it. Johnson drops short and Strauss helps the ball to the boundary to move to 41. Johnson is a piercer, in that he has a metal stud drilled below his bottom lip. Fred Spofforth will be turning in his grave.
21st over (93-2): Flintoff gets another edge for one and Watson is having trouble with his run-up - two no-balls. Strauss nurdles a single to third man.21st over (93-2): Flintoff gets another edge for one and Watson is having trouble with his run-up - two no-balls. Strauss nurdles a single to third man.
20th over: WICKET England 89-2 (Pietersen c Gilchrist b Johnson 1)Johnson has Pietersen hopping with a brute that veers up into his face and is out next ball, feathering a catch to Gilchrist behind the stumps. Skipper Flintoff is the new batsman and gets off the mark with a thick outside edge to third man. Johnson attempts to york Strauss and the England batsman shows good hands to glide him away for four.20th over: WICKET England 89-2 (Pietersen c Gilchrist b Johnson 1)Johnson has Pietersen hopping with a brute that veers up into his face and is out next ball, feathering a catch to Gilchrist behind the stumps. Skipper Flintoff is the new batsman and gets off the mark with a thick outside edge to third man. Johnson attempts to york Strauss and the England batsman shows good hands to glide him away for four.
19th over: WICKET England 83-1 (Bell c Hussey b Watson 43) England lose their first wicket, Bell slapping the ball straight down Hussey's throat at short extra-cover. Watson has done the trick with only his second delivery. Poor shot from Bell, but a good innings nonetheless. Pietersen is next man in, not Flintoff as expected. He gets off the mark with a swift single.19th over: WICKET England 83-1 (Bell c Hussey b Watson 43) England lose their first wicket, Bell slapping the ball straight down Hussey's throat at short extra-cover. Watson has done the trick with only his second delivery. Poor shot from Bell, but a good innings nonetheless. Pietersen is next man in, not Flintoff as expected. He gets off the mark with a swift single.
18th over (83-0): A thing of beauty from Bell, who makes room and steers Johnson through extra-cover for four. Bell then loses his head, attempting an upper-cut and missing. He gets his nose back in the text-book for his next scoring shot, a glide down to third man for one.18th over (83-0): A thing of beauty from Bell, who makes room and steers Johnson through extra-cover for four. Bell then loses his head, attempting an upper-cut and missing. He gets his nose back in the text-book for his next scoring shot, a glide down to third man for one.
17th over (78-0): Four singles from Bracken's over and England are momentarily becalmed, although still ticking over nicely.17th over (78-0): Four singles from Bracken's over and England are momentarily becalmed, although still ticking over nicely.
16th over (74-0): Two scampered singles off Johnson and we have the sound of thunder reverberating round the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. Johnson is surprising the England openers with his extra pace. Four from the over.16th over (74-0): Two scampered singles off Johnson and we have the sound of thunder reverberating round the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. Johnson is surprising the England openers with his extra pace. Four from the over.
15th over (70-0): Bracken continues and we now have the rare sight of two left-armers bowling in tandem. Strauss, looking to angle the ball away, very nearly feathers one to wicket-keeper Gilchrist, who is standing up to the stumps, and Strauss pulls off the trick next time for two. Players take drinks and England will be chuffed with their start.15th over (70-0): Bracken continues and we now have the rare sight of two left-armers bowling in tandem. Strauss, looking to angle the ball away, very nearly feathers one to wicket-keeper Gilchrist, who is standing up to the stumps, and Strauss pulls off the trick next time for two. Players take drinks and England will be chuffed with their start.
14th over (66-0): Johnson replaces McGrath, and England fans will be keen to see him in action as he could feature in this winter's Ashes. Aussie great Dennis Lillee called him a "once in a generation bowler". Strauss upper-cuts him away for two to move to 26. Tidy first over, four from it.14th over (66-0): Johnson replaces McGrath, and England fans will be keen to see him in action as he could feature in this winter's Ashes. Aussie great Dennis Lillee called him a "once in a generation bowler". Strauss upper-cuts him away for two to move to 26. Tidy first over, four from it.
13th over (62-0): Just two from the over and Lee makes a fine stop off a decent Bell off-drive to save four.13th over (62-0): Just two from the over and Lee makes a fine stop off a decent Bell off-drive to save four.
12th over (60-0): Ponting is persevering with McGrath. Strauss gives McGrath the charge and misses. Unnecessary in the circumstances, but it's clear England are trying to do a psychological number on McGrath. Strauss digs out a dangerous yorker and Australia's old workhorse is working up a bit more pace now. However, he strays on to Bell's pads with his last ball and Bell whips him away for four to move to 33. McGrath has got the right hump and throws down Bell's stumps with the England man well in his crease. It could be the only way he'll be hitting the stumps today...12th over (60-0): Ponting is persevering with McGrath. Strauss gives McGrath the charge and misses. Unnecessary in the circumstances, but it's clear England are trying to do a psychological number on McGrath. Strauss digs out a dangerous yorker and Australia's old workhorse is working up a bit more pace now. However, he strays on to Bell's pads with his last ball and Bell whips him away for four to move to 33. McGrath has got the right hump and throws down Bell's stumps with the England man well in his crease. It could be the only way he'll be hitting the stumps today...
11th over: Strauss plays a peachy late cut off Bracken for four - shot of the day. Bell follows up with a wonderfully-balanced cut for four to bring up England's fifty. He'll be wanting to cash in on that aberration by Martyn.11th over: Strauss plays a peachy late cut off Bracken for four - shot of the day. Bell follows up with a wonderfully-balanced cut for four to bring up England's fifty. He'll be wanting to cash in on that aberration by Martyn.
"That was some of the worst cricket I've ever seen..." Damien Fleming, Radio Five Live"That was some of the worst cricket I've ever seen..." Damien Fleming, Radio Five Live
10th over: Bell paddles McGrath away for one and Strauss whips the Australian medium pacer round the corner for two. Martyn then drops an absolute dolly at mid-off - I've seen those taken by my three-year-old niece. Bell plays an odd shot, attempting to loft the ball over Martyn, and the Aussie fielder appears to lose the ball in the air, tumbles backwards and the ball rolls free. Not pretty and McGrath will be spewing.10th over: Bell paddles McGrath away for one and Strauss whips the Australian medium pacer round the corner for two. Martyn then drops an absolute dolly at mid-off - I've seen those taken by my three-year-old niece. Bell plays an odd shot, attempting to loft the ball over Martyn, and the Aussie fielder appears to lose the ball in the air, tumbles backwards and the ball rolls free. Not pretty and McGrath will be spewing.
9th over (37-0): A maiden over from Lee, which will be a bit of a relief for captain Ponting as England were beginning to look far too comfortable.9th over (37-0): A maiden over from Lee, which will be a bit of a relief for captain Ponting as England were beginning to look far too comfortable.
8th over (37-0): McGrath is struggling with his radar in his opening couple of overs. Bell turns him away for four with the minimum of fuss, and even appears to take a couple of strides down the pitch. Liberty taker - and rightly so. Bell cuts McGrath away for a single, Strauss plays an uppish drive for one and England are pottering along nicely.8th over (37-0): McGrath is struggling with his radar in his opening couple of overs. Bell turns him away for four with the minimum of fuss, and even appears to take a couple of strides down the pitch. Liberty taker - and rightly so. Bell cuts McGrath away for a single, Strauss plays an uppish drive for one and England are pottering along nicely.
7th over (31-0): Lee strays on to Bell's legs again and the England opener flips the ball round the corner for two and gets one for an outside edge.7th over (31-0): Lee strays on to Bell's legs again and the England opener flips the ball round the corner for two and gets one for an outside edge.
6th over (28-0): McGrath is on early, replacing Bracken. His first ball is a dream for Strauss - short and lacking in pace - and Strauss slaps him away to the deep mid-wicket boundary. McGrath's second ball is short outside the off-stump and Strauss carves him away for another four. Thank you very much Glenn, that's relieved some of the pressure.6th over (28-0): McGrath is on early, replacing Bracken. His first ball is a dream for Strauss - short and lacking in pace - and Strauss slaps him away to the deep mid-wicket boundary. McGrath's second ball is short outside the off-stump and Strauss carves him away for another four. Thank you very much Glenn, that's relieved some of the pressure.
5th over (20-0): An edgy opening by Strauss, who very nearly plays on. He scampers a run to short mid-wicket and Bell gets his second boundary of the day with a lovely steer to backward point. The Warwickshire man looks in good touch and works Lee away off his legs for another four.5th over (20-0): An edgy opening by Strauss, who very nearly plays on. He scampers a run to short mid-wicket and Bell gets his second boundary of the day with a lovely steer to backward point. The Warwickshire man looks in good touch and works Lee away off his legs for another four.
4th over (10-0): Strauss finally gets off the mark with a bottom-edged cut. This is a nervy opening for England, with the Aussie bowlers bang on the money. Bell steers a single into the covers and Strauss follows up with an unconvincing drive down to third man. Bell plays the first authentic attacking shot of the day, a peach of a flick to the mid-wicket boundary. Bracken replies with a fine delivery that beats Bell's outside edge.4th over (10-0): Strauss finally gets off the mark with a bottom-edged cut. This is a nervy opening for England, with the Aussie bowlers bang on the money. Bell steers a single into the covers and Strauss follows up with an unconvincing drive down to third man. Bell plays the first authentic attacking shot of the day, a peach of a flick to the mid-wicket boundary. Bracken replies with a fine delivery that beats Bell's outside edge.
3rd over (3-0): Bell is happy to play correctly to Lee, showing the full face of the bat to the first four deliveries. Lee releases some of the pressure with a no-ball, but it's slow going for England thus far.3rd over (3-0): Bell is happy to play correctly to Lee, showing the full face of the bat to the first four deliveries. Lee releases some of the pressure with a no-ball, but it's slow going for England thus far.
2nd over (2-0): Bracken beats Bell with a dreamy delivery which just nips away off the seam. Bell gets off the mark with a nudge to mid-wicket. Just one from the over and the Aussies are looking keen as mustard in the field, as might be expected.2nd over (2-0): Bracken beats Bell with a dreamy delivery which just nips away off the seam. Bell gets off the mark with a nudge to mid-wicket. Just one from the over and the Aussies are looking keen as mustard in the field, as might be expected.
1st over (1-0): Players are out and the Ashes phoney war is under way. Strauss leaves Lee's first ball outside off-stump. Just one wide from the opening over. Strauss safely in behind everything else.1st over (1-0): Players are out and the Ashes phoney war is under way. Strauss leaves Lee's first ball outside off-stump. Just one wide from the opening over. Strauss safely in behind everything else.
"Today's game won't have too much effect on what's coming up in the next few months. But I'm feeling very good and improving with every game." Australia bowler Glenn McGrath"Today's game won't have too much effect on what's coming up in the next few months. But I'm feeling very good and improving with every game." Australia bowler Glenn McGrath
"The losers are probably going to be packing their bags. This will have nothing to do with what happens in the Ashes - but it's a big game." England's Kevin Pietersen"The losers are probably going to be packing their bags. This will have nothing to do with what happens in the Ashes - but it's a big game." England's Kevin Pietersen
0930: Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting wastes no time in telling Andrew Flintoff to get his pads on after winning the toss. They strengthen their pace attack by bringing in left-armer Mitchell Johnson, who took 4-11 in his last appearance.0930: Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting wastes no time in telling Andrew Flintoff to get his pads on after winning the toss. They strengthen their pace attack by bringing in left-armer Mitchell Johnson, who took 4-11 in his last appearance.
0900: England announce an unchanged XI - Jon Lewis is left on the sidelines again, so let's hope Steve Harmison's radar is working when he gets the white ball in his hand.0900: England announce an unchanged XI - Jon Lewis is left on the sidelines again, so let's hope Steve Harmison's radar is working when he gets the white ball in his hand.
0730: "Everyone's saying Happy Diwali this morning. It's a huge celebration here in Jaipur, so I'm looking forward to fireworks later both on and off the field" Kevin Howells, Radio Five Live0730: "Everyone's saying Happy Diwali this morning. It's a huge celebration here in Jaipur, so I'm looking forward to fireworks later both on and off the field" Kevin Howells, Radio Five Live