Tait’s blitz flattens England as Australia register 42 run win in last ODI

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LONDON - Riding on Shaun Tait’s ‘lighting fast’ spell, Australia defeated England by 42 runs in the fifth and last one-day international at Lord’s here thus reducing the hosts’ series-winning margin to 3-2.

Chasing 278, England never looked like achieving the target as they were rocked by Tait’s double blow early in the innings.

England were bowled out for 235 despite Paul Collingwood’s fearless 95.

Tait was declared man-of-the-match for his fiery spell of four for 48 in 8.3 overs.

After being reduced to 73 for five, England were staring at a humiliating loss in the final match of the series, which they had already pocketed, but Collingwood along with Luke Wright shared a 56 run partnership to resurrect the damage.

After Wright’s dismissal, Tim Bresnan joined Collingwood to steady the ship.

Both shared a 65-run partnership. England needed 85 runs in the last 10 overs to register a thrilling win over the Kangaroos, but lady luck had other ideas.

Bresnan was run out on 34 by Ricky Ponting’s marvellous direct throw.

The hero of the match for Australia, Tait, then nailed the final blow two balls later dismissing Collingwood to end his 121-ball sojourn, which featured two sixes and seven fours.

Tait bowled fast and with aggression clocking over 100mph in the very first over of his match winning spell, and even England captain Andrew Strauss admitted that his batsmen had no answers to his blitz.

“Tait was pretty quick and he got the ball swinging. It was up there with spells I’ve faced from Shoaib Akhtar and Brett Lee,” said Strauss.

Earlier, left handers Michael Hussey (79) and Shaun Marsh (59) shared a fifth-wicket stand of 107 between them which revived the world champions’ after being reduced to 106 for four.

For England, Stuart Broad finished with figures of four for 64 off his 10 overs, while off-spinner Graeme Swann was also amongst wickets taking three for 32 in his eight overs. (ANI)