England triumph over Australia in thriller
AFP
17 January 1999
SYDNEY, Jan 17 (AFP) - Graeme Hick finally clinched a Sydney century
as England punished a sloppy Australia to bag a seven-run victory in a
day-night Tri Nations run-feast at the Sydney Cricket Ground here
Sunday.
The much-maligned right-hander carved a stylish 108 and Nasser Hussain
made 93 in a 190-run third-wicket stand that lifted the tourists to
282-4 - the third highest one-day international total at the ground.
Australia put a dismal fielding display, with Mark Waugh misfielding
four times, but still almost grabbed a win.
Waugh atoned for errors in the ensuing run-chase with an effortless 85
off 95 balls, but he or Darren Lehmann (76) needed to make a big
hundred after fast bowler Darren Gough cleaned up Adam Gilchrist and
Ricky Ponting for six each.
Australia finally finished on 275-5.
Gough conceded a miserly 16 in his last six overs to leave the home
side needing 28 off three overs, and 15 off the last one.
Michael Bevan was not out 45 without a boundary and Greg Blewett made
32 in a late charge.
Returning Australian captain Steve Waugh had a miserable 250th match,
his first of the series, putting down Hick on 23 and getting out first
ball to Adam Hollioake.
Hollioake picked up both Waughs in the 30th over to leave Australia
152-4.
The win put England on top of the standings with six points from four
games. Australia have four points from four matches and Sri Lanka
none from two.
Four years ago, Hick was left unbeaten on 98 when Mike Atherton
declared England's second innings in the Sydney Test - but on Sunday
he finally got to the magic three-number figure.
The 32-year-old notched 50 off 69 balls and his second 50 off 50,
including a swept six off leg-spinner Shane Warne high into the
O'Reilly Stand.
He and Hussain, making his maiden one-day 50, made Australia pay for
going into the match with only four frontline bowlers after making
Brendon Julian 12th man.
Glenn McGrath conceded 56 runs, Warne wnet for 57 in his 100th match
and Damien Fleming for 64. Only Adam Dale stemmed the tide with 10
accurate overs for 26 runs.
After the Hick-Hussain assault, Hollioake (22 not out) and Neil
Fairbrother (17 not out) smashed 37 from the last four overs to put
England in a commanding position.
England's big stand was badly needed after captain Alec Stewart (17)
followed Nick Knight's third ball duck within nine overs.
From 2-77 after 20 overs, Hick and Hussain took 124 from the next 20.
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