Bopara Leads England To Unprecedented 4-0 Series Win

Bopara Leads England To Unprecedented 4-0 Series Win

Ravi Bopara (left) scored an unbeaten half-century as England wrapped up a 4-0 series win

©REUTERS / Action Images

England 138-3 (Cook 58, Bopara 52no) beat
Australia 145-7 (Bailey 46no) by 7 wickets
Fifth One-Day International, Old Trafford
Scorecard

Ravi Bopara and Alastair Cook both scored half-centuries as England inflicted a 4-0 One-Day International series defeat on Australia by winning the final match at Old Trafford by seven wickets.

Australia scored 145 for seven in 32 overs of a rain-shortened match and England eased to a revised target of 138 in 29 overs with 11 balls to spare.

England won the toss and chose to bowl first and promptly put Australia in trouble, taking advantage of overhead gloom and a pitch conducive to movement.

Although David Warner (31) was able to bat fluently enough, Matthew Wade (12 in 41 balls), Peter Forrest (3 in 14) balls could find no rhythm, James Anderson, Steven Finn and Stuart Broad keeping it tight.

Forrest and Michael Clarke (1) were both run out as England, a dropped catch in the deep from Samit Patel aside, were sharp in the field as well.

Australia were reeling at 86 for six before Steven Smith (21 in 20 balls) and George Bailey (46 in 41 balls) gave their bowlers something to bowl at.

On the day that South African wicket-keeper Mark Boucher retired from international cricket, Bailey played a Boucher-like innings, hitting three fours and two sixes at the death.

Bopara dismissed Smith and David Hussey (9) to return two for eight and off-spinner James Tredwell bagged two for 23 by removing openers Warner and Wade.

England lost Ian Bell early when he chipped Clint McKay to Bailey for four and Jonathan Trott fell cheaply when he was bowled by Clarke for 10 but thereafter they were barely headed.

Cook, who made 58 in 78 balls, and Bopara, who scored 52 not out in 56, put on 92 for the third wicket to end any hopes Australia had of a fightback.

Cook hit four fours and Bopara five and although Cook fell near the end, caught by Clarke off Ben Hilfenhaus, England wasted no time in wrapping up victory, Eoin Morgan hitting nine not out in five balls.

© Cricket World 2012