commentary: australia v england

Australia (248/3) beat England (247 all out) by seven wickets with 2.4 overs remaining
It was a pretty comfortable chase for Australia, with Ponting and Clarke the main contributors. England looked set for a big total when Pietersen and Bell were playing well, but 247 was never enough on a good batting track.

England's typical problems reared their ugly heads again - namely a poor start, a middle order collapse and an inability to take wickets when needed. Australia on the other hand were superb, bowling with fantastic efficiency and timing their chase to perfection. It will take some performance to deny them in this World Cup.

Over 47.2: Mahmood bowls Symonds a snorter first up that whistles past his nose, but next ball he picks up the length quickly and pulls to the mid-wicket fence to win the game for Australia.
Australia 248/3 (RR: 5.19): Clarke 55* (63), Symonds 28* (28)

Over 47: Clarke takes a couple off his toes first up, then drives a slower ball to the cover fence sweeper for one. Symonds deals with a couple of decent yorkers, then takes a single through the covers from the final ball of the over.
Australia 244/3 (RR: 5.19): Clarke 55* (63), Symonds 24* (26)
Australia need 4 runs to win from 3 overs at 1.33 runs per over.

Over 46: Symonds waits for a slower ball from Mahmood and smacks through the covers for four. Symonds then takes three leg-byes fine, before Clarke takes a single to deep mid-wicket. Mahmood finishes the over with a decent bouncer.
Australia 240/3 (RR: 5.22): Clarke 52* (61), Symonds 23* (22)
Australia need 8 runs to win from 4 overs at 2.00 runs per over.

Over 45: Clarke drives off the back foot for a couple to the deep point fielder, before bringing up his fifty with a nice drive to long-on. He then takes a single round the corner, and Symonds can only get one from a big club into the covers.
Australia 232/3 (RR: 5.16): Clarke 51* (60), Symonds 19* (17)
Australia need 16 runs to win from 5 overs at 3.20 runs per over.

Jimmy Anderson is back into the attack.

Over 44: Clarke backs away and drives into the covers, where a good stop from Bopara keeps them to one. Symonds waits for a slower ball and clips to mid-wicket for another single, then Clarke backs away again and clubs over the covers to the fence for four. Clarke takes a single, and Australia are within touching distance.
Australia 226/3 (RR: 5.14): Clarke 46* (55), Symonds 18* (16)
Australia need 22 runs to win from 6 overs at 3.67 runs per over.

Saj Mahmood is back into the attack.

Over 43: Symonds slashes a drive through point for four from the second ball - he looks in a hurry to end this sharpish. However, Flintoff keeps the rest of the over as tight as can be, beating the outside edge with the last to balls of his spell.
Australia 219/3 (RR: 5.09): Clarke 40* (51), Symonds 16* (14)
Australia need 29 runs to win from 7 overs at 4.14 runs per over.

Over 42: After taking a look at the first ball, Symonds rocks back to a slightly shorter one and pulls over a straight mid-wicket for four. He repeats the shot next up, but it's high in the air. Pietersen takes the catch on the ropes, but is unbalanced and has to throw the ball away before he stepped over the boundary. Not out, but they ran two. Next up Symonds waits for a wide slower ball, and launches it over the fence at long-off for six. Symonds ends an eventful over with a straight drive for a single.
Australia 215/3 (RR: 5.12): Clarke 40* (51), Symonds 12* (8)
Australia need 33 runs to win from 8 overs at 4.13 runs per over.

Over 41: Flintoff goes up loudly for lbw first ball to Symonds, but the yorker was heading down leg stump. Symonds gets a leg-bye second ball, but Flintoff keeps the rest of the over tight and there are no more runs scored.
Australia 202/3 (RR: 4.93): Clarke 40* (51), Symonds 0* (2)
Australia need 46 runs to win from 9 overs at 5.11 runs per over.

Andrew Symonds is the new batsman.

WICKET!
R Ponting run out (Collingwood) 86 (106)
Flintoff goes up for an lbw shout from the first ball of the over. Umpire Bowden says no, but there is confusion as the batsmen dither over a single, and Collingwood swoops in from point and throws down the stumps with Ponting well out of his ground.

Over 40: Clarke steps across and plays to mid-on to bring the 200 up for Australia with a single. Only one more single down to long-on from Ponting comes that over, which was well bowled by Collingwood.
Australia 201/2 (RR: 5.01): Ponting 86* (105), Clarke 41* (48)
Australia need 47 runs to win from 10 overs at 4.70 runs per over.

Paul Collingwood is back into the attack.

Over 39: Clarke whips an attempted Flintoff yorker off his toes for a single, and Ponting picks up another with a simple guide down to third man. Clarke looks to back away and play through the off-side, but Flintoff follows him and he can only take one through mid-wicket. A well directed bouncer from Flintoff finishes a decent over, but that is probably too little too late now for England.
Australia 199/2 (RR: 5.10): Ponting 85* (100), Clarke 40* (48)
Australia need 49 runs to win from 11 overs at 4.45 runs per over.

Andrew Flintoff is back into the attack.

Over 38: Clarke drives to long-on for a single, then Ponting picks up another through mid-wicket. Clarke is down the wicket next and drives along the ground for a single to long-off, and Ponting plays a fantastic shot with quick wrists over the covers for four. He follows that with another cracker, this time over mid-off but with the same result. Australia coasting now.
Australia 196/2 (RR: 5.16): Ponting 84* (96), Clarke 37* (45)
Australia need 52 runs to win from 12 overs at 4.33 runs per over.

Over 37: Ponting drives off the back foot for a single, then Clarke pulls a short one for another single. Ponting drives slightly uppishly through mid-on for a single, then Collingwood drops another short, but this time Clarke takes full advantage and hammers the pull in front of square for four. Clarke takes a single off the final ball of another good over for Australia.
Australia 185/2 (RR: 5.00): Ponting 75* (92), Clarke 35* (43)
Australia need 63 runs to win from 13 overs at 4.85 runs per over.

Over 36: Clarke comes down the pitch and square drives through point for three, then Panesar goes up confidently for lbw, but nothing doing. Ponting takes a quick single, and survives a direct hit from Strauss at the bowlers end. Clarke turns one through the gap at mid-wicket, and some sharp running brings them two.
Australia 177/2 (RR: 4.92): Ponting 73* (90), Clarke 29* (39)
Australia need 71 runs to win from 14 overs at 5.07 runs per over.

Over 35: Ponting tucks off his pads for a single from Collingwood's second ball back, Clarke then turns round the corner for another one. After a couple of dot balls, Ponting lofts over mid-on to the ropes for four, ruining what looked like a decent over for England.
Australia 171/2 (RR: 4.89): Ponting 68* (86), Clarke 24* (36)
Australia need 77 runs to win from 15 overs at 5.13 runs per over.

Paul Collingwood is into the attack, and the umpires have changed the ball.

Over 34: Clarke digs out a single first up, then Ponting clips beautfiully over straight mid-wicket for another four. Ponting takes another single to long-on to end the over.
Australia 165/2 (RR: 4.85): Ponting 67* (83), Clarke 23* (34)
Australia need 83 runs to win from 16 overs at 5.19 runs per over.

Over 33: Clarke plays a nice late cut down to deep point for a couple, then Flintoff goes up for lbw, but his inswinging yorker was going down leg, and they take a leg-bye. Ponting late cuts for a single, then Clarke tucks another off his hips. Ponting finishes the over with a clipped two off his toes, and Australia are ticking along very nicely here.
Australia 159/2 (RR: 4.82): Ponting 62* (79), Clarke 22* (32)
Australia need 89 runs to win from 17 overs at 5.24 runs per over.

Andrew Flintoff is back into the attack.

Over 32: Clarke whips a single to mid-on, then Ponting drops another into the covers. Clarke clips down to fine-leg for another, then Ponting paddle-sweep another couple.
Australia 152/2 (RR: 4.75): Ponting 59* (77), Clarke 19* (28)
Australia need 96 runs to win from 18 overs at 5.33 runs per over.

Over 31: Ponting plays a fantastic square drive to the point fence for four first up, then clips the next ball down to a very fine leg for another boundary, and that's his fifty. Ponting late cuts to third man for a couple, then Mahmood bowls a wide - this is turning into an expensive over for England. Ponting tries an big cover drive but misses, then clips off his toes for another two to end the over.
Australia 147/2 (RR: 4.74): Ponting 54* (73), Clarke 17* (26)
Australia need 101 runs to win from 19 overs at 5.32 runs per over.

With their depth of batting, Australia still look good to take this game, but England have done a decent job of restricting them thus far. Some slightly ropey fielding could be a worry, but we should be in for a good last 20 overs.

Over 30: Clarke drives the third of the over to long-off for a single, as does Ponting from the final ball. A good, tight over from Panesar.
Australia 134/2 (RR: 4.47): Ponting 44* (67), Clarke 17* (26)
Australia need 114 runs to win from 20 overs at 5.70 runs per over.

Monty Panesar is back into the attack.

Over 29: Ponting pulls the second ball for a single, then Clarke thick edges for a couple down to deep point. Clarke drives nicely through the covers, but Pietersen is quickly on to it to keep them to a single. Ponting then drives slightly uppishly past mid-off for a four to finish another good over for Australia.
Australia 132/2 (RR: 4.55): Ponting 43* (64), Clarke 16* (23)
Australia need 116 runs to win from 21 overs at 5.52 runs per over.

Saj Mahmood is back into the attack.

Over 28: Pointing starts the over with a nice, delicate clip very fine that trickles to the ropes for four. Collingwood strays from his usually impeccable line by bowling a wide outside off, then over compensates with a leg stump half-volley, which a combination of Anderson and Pietersen save from the boundary, and they take two. Ponting takes a single, and that's another useful over for Australia.
Australia 124/2 (RR: 4.43): Ponting 38* (60), Clarke 13* (21)
Australia need 124 runs to win from 22 overs at 5.64 runs per over.

Over 27: Anderson again starts the over well, giving nothing away with a nice tight line on off. He drops one a little too short, but Ponting can only pull for a single. Clarke clips off his pads for a single, as does Ponting, who was looking for a second, but was unwilling to take on Panesar'sarm. Clarke square drives down to deep point for a couple off the last ball of the over, and Australia are now starting to tick along a little better.
Australia 116/2 (RR: 4.30): Ponting 31* (55), Clarke 13* (20)
Australia need 132 runs to win from 23 overs at 5.74 runs per over.

Over 26: Collingwood again keeps things nice and tight to Clarke, who is showing signs of frustration already. Clarke then drives straight through the short cover fielder and they take three. Ponting plays a nice late cut for a single down to third man, but Clarke can get nothing from the last ball.
Australia 111/2 (RR: 4.27): Ponting 29* (51), Clarke 10* (18)
Australia need 137 runs to win from 24 overs at 5.71 runs per over.

Over 25: Anderson keeps the first three tight, then drifts on to Ponting's legs and he clips through mid-wicket for a single. Clarke tries to give himself room and club over the covers, but only gets an inside edge and they scramble a single. Ponting then clips off his toes for a couple, but that's another decent over for England.
Australia 107/2 (RR: 4.28): Ponting 28* (49), Clarke 7* (14)
Australia need 141 runs to win from 25 overs at 5.64 runs per over.

Over 24: Ponting takes a quick single to mid-on first up, as does Clarke from ball three. Pointing works a single into the leg side, and Clarke repeats the shot. Ponting closes the over with a push down to long-on for a fifth single.
Australia 103/2 (RR: 4.29): Ponting 25* (44), Clarke 6* (13)
Australia need 145 runs to win from 26 overs at 5.58 runs per over.

Over 23: Clarke mis-hits a cut into the ground and gets a single, then Vaughan misses a run out chance from a suicidal single attempt from Ponting, but the throw was just wide of the stumps. Anderson almost induces a leading edge from Clarke to close an excellent comeback over from Anderson. England just starting to exert a little bit of pressure now.
Australia 98/2 (RR: 4.26): Ponting 21* (41), Clarke 4* (10)
Australia need 150 runs to win from 27 overs at 5.56 runs per over.

Jimmy Anderson is back into the attack.

Over 22: Ponting fails to put away a shortish wide one from Collingwood, then picks up one through mid-wicket. Clarke pushes a quick single to mid-on, but no more runs are scored from another tight over from Collingwood.
Australia 96/2 (RR: 4.36): Ponting 21* (40), Clarke 3* (5)
Australia need 152 runs to win from 28 overs at 5.43 runs per over.

Over 21: Ponting takes a quick single to mid-on from the third ball, as does Clarke. Ponting then closes a tidy Flintoff over by pushing into the covers for another one.
Australia 94/2 (RR: 4.48): Ponting 20* (35), Clarke 2* (4)
Australia need 154 runs to win from 29 overs at 5.31 runs per over.

Over 20: Clarke pushes his second ball to Strauss at mid-on, who lets it through his legs and they take a single. Slopp stuff. Ponting late cuts the last ball of a successful over for a single.
Australia 91/2 (RR: 4.55): Ponting 18* (31), Clarke 1* (2)
Australia need 157 runs to win from 30 overs at 5.23 runs per over.

Michael Clarke is the new batsman.

WICKET!
M Hayden b Collingwood 41 (50)
Collingwood strikes first ball! Hayden just misses one on a good length, and it clips the edge of off-stump. Nobody seemed quite sure initially whether it had hit the stumps or if Nixon had knocked the bails off, and Hayden wasn't keen to depart, but depart he has.

Paul Collingwood is into the attack.

Over 19: Hayden drives for a singleto mid-off, then Flintoff keeps the rest of the over pretty tight. Ponting survives a close lbw shout last ball, but was probably hit just outside the line.
Australia 89/1 (RR: 4.68): Hayden 41* (49), Ponting 17* (28)
Australia need 159 runs to win from 31 overs at 5.13 runs per over.

Over 18: Hayden late cuts the second of the over for a single. Ponting takes a step or two down the track and launches over mid-off for a boundary.
Australia 88/1 (RR: 4.89): Hayden 40* (48), Ponting 17* (23)
Australia need 160 runs to win from 32 overs at 5.00 runs per over.

Over 17: Ponting gets a big inside edge from an attempted drive, and it shoots past both stumps and Nixon for a boundary. Anderson misfields at mid-off as they take a single, but Hayden sensibly sends Ponting back after the first. Hayden takes antoher single to mid-on, and Ponting misses with a big swipe outside off.
Australia 83/1 (RR: 4.88): Hayden 39* (46), Ponting 13* (19)
Australia need 165 runs to win from 33 overs at 5.00 runs per over.

Over 16: Hayden plays a deft late cut down for a couple, before repeating the shot but only for a single. Ponting gets an inside edge from a forward defensive and takes a quick single, before Hayden tucks another one off his pads. Ponting then finishes another good over for Australia with a feathered sweep for a single.
Australia 77/1 (RR: 4.81): Hayden 38* (45), Ponting 8* (14)
Australia need 171 runs to win from 34 overs at 5.03 runs per over.

England take the final powerplay.

Drinks are taken, and Australia have made a solid start to their run chase. Providing they don't do anything stupid, they still should be set for the win, especially with the extra batsman (Brad Hodge) probably coming in at seven.

Over 15: After watching the first couple, Hayden plays a late cut for a single. Ponting then flicks a full-toss off his pads for a single, and Hayden again late cuts for a single.
Australia 71/1 (RR: 4.73): Hayden 34* (41), Ponting 6* (12)
Australia need 177 runs to win from 35 overs at 5.06 runs per over.

Over 14: Ponting gets off the mark by skipping down the track at Panesar, and chipping over mid-on for four. After pushing uncertainly at a couple, Ponitng gets a quick single, as does Hayden.
Australia 68/1 (RR: 4.86): Hayden 32* (37), Ponting 5* (10)
Australia need 180 runs to win from 36 overs at 5.00 runs per over.

Over 13: Hayden swings and misses with a massive hoik aiming over mid-wicket, but it whistled just over the stumps. He then fares rather better with a lofted drive over mid-off, which goes for a one-bounce four.
Australia 62/1 (RR: 4.77): Hayden 31* (36), Ponting 0* (5)
Australia need 186 runs to win from 37 overs at 5.03 runs per over.

Over 12: Hayden takes a quick single first up to mid-off, then Ponting watches the remainder of the over very carefully, and no more runs are scored.
Australia 58/1 (RR: 4.83): Hayden 27* (30), Ponting 0* (5)
Australia need 190 runs to win from 38 overs at 5.00 runs per over.

Monty Panesar is into the attack.

Over 11:
Australia 57/1 (RR: 5.18): Hayden 26* (29), Ponting 0* (0)
Australia need 191 runs to win from 39 overs at 4.90 runs per over.

Ricky Ponting is the new batsman.

WICKET!
A Gilchrist c Collingwood b Flintoff 27 (37)
Hayden gets an inside edge first up, that goes just past his stumps.Hayden then takes a step down the wicket and clubs a slightly shorter one over mid-on for four. He drives outside off next up, and a scrambling stop from Bell keeps them to just one. Gilchrist then tries to pull out halfway through a square drive, but only succeeds in ballooning the ball to Collingwood at point for a simple catch.

Andrew Flintoff is into the attack, and England take the second powerplay.

Over 10: Hayden takes a single with a push just wide of mid-off, then Gilchrist waits for a slower ball and crunches it to the point fence. The batsmen exchange singles, and that's another good over for Australia.
Australia 52/0 (RR: 5.20): Gilchrist 27* (36), Hayden 21* (24)
Australia need 196 runs to win from 40 overs at 4.90 runs per over.

Over 9: Hayden pushes to a deepish mid-off for a single, then Gilchrist times a clip off his legs superbly and it beats the fielder on the deep mid-wicket fence. He then drives through the covers, but not with as much timing and they just takes two. He then misses a similar flash outside off, which Nixon rather hopefully claims as a catch.
Australia 45/0 (RR: 5.00): Gilchrist 22* (32), Hayden 19* (22)
Australia need 203 runs to win from 41 overs at 4.95 runs per over.

Over 8: Gilchrist whips the third ball of the over off his hips down to fine-leg, where some loose fielding from Anderson allows them a couple. He repeats the shot next up, but Anderson fields well this time and just a single is taken. Mahmood bowls a nice slower ball from the final ball, but Hayden manages to squeeze a single out of it.
Australia 38/0 (RR: 4.75): Gilchrist 16* (27), Hayden 18* (21)
Australia need 210 runs to win from 42 overs at 5.00 runs per over.

Over 7: Anderson again starts poorly, drifting on to Hayden's legs and he makes no mistake, clipping past short fine leg for a boundary. Hayden then drives down the ground, but a good stop from Bopara keeps them to just the single. Gilchrist tucks a single through mid-wicket, then after keeping the next couple tight, Anderson serves up a wide half-volley which Hayden gleefully drives to the boundary.
Australia 34/0 (RR: 4.86): Gilchrist 13* (23), Hayden 17* (19)
Australia need 214 runs to win from 43 overs at 4.97 runs per over.

Over 6: Mahmood mixes up the pace with third over, keeping Gilchrist quiet and bowling the first maiden of the innings.
Australia 24/0 (RR: 4.00): Gilchrist 12* (22), Hayden 8* (14)
Australia need 224 runs to win from 44 overs at 5.09 runs per over.

Over 5: Anderson starts with a terrible ball - short, and a long way down the leg side, and a wide is called. Hayden then takes one on a good length on middle & off, and whips it over mid-wicket for a one-bounce four - cracking shot. The next ball is bang on from Anderson, but he follows it with another wide down leg.
Australia 24/0 (RR: 4.80): Gilchrist 12* (16), Hayden 8* (14)
Australia need 224 runs to win from 45 overs at 4.98 runs per over.

Over 4: After a nice slower ball, Mahmood slips leg side, and Gilchrist whips off his hips to go fine for another boundary. The rest of the over is pretty much on target, and no further runs are scored.
Australia 18/0 (RR: 4.50): Gilchrist 13* (16), Hayden 4* (8)
Australia need 230 runs to win from 46 overs at 5.00 runs per over.

Over 3: Anderson bowls one that just sneaks past Hayden's pad, and a wide is signalled. After a couple of goes, Haydenconnects with a cover drive and it races to the ropes for four. Hayden looks for a quick single from a tuck off his hips, but a good stop from Pietersen saves the run.
Australia 14/0 (RR: 4.67): Gilchrist 8* (10), Hayden 4* (8)
Australia need 234 runs to win from 47 overs at 4.98 runs per over.

Over 2: Gilchrist gets off the mark with a crunching drive through the covers for four. He then goes up wildly for lbw - Rudi Koertzen says no, but it was difficult to see what was wrong with that. Mahmood drops short from the penultimate ball, and Gilchrist punishes the delivery and crunches through square leg for another four.
Australia 9/0 (RR: 4.50): Gilchrist 8* (10), Hayden 0* (2)
Australia need 239 runs to win from 48 overs at 4.96 runs per over.

Saj Mahmood will share the new ball.

Over 1: Anderson starts with a couple of very wide ones outside off, the second of which Gilchrist gets the toe of his bat to. Gilchrist hammers the third straight at Bell in the covers, then completely misses an inswinger that snuck through the gate. Nixon couldn't gather, and they scamper a bye. Anderson goes up for a big lbw shout from the last ball of the first over - that was close, but probably pitched just outside leg.
Australia 1/0 (RR: 1.00): Gilchrist 0* (4), Hayden 0* (2)
Australia need 247 runs to win from 49 overs at 5.04 runs per over.

Jimmy Anderson will open the bowling for England.

The Australian batsmen are making their way out onto the field for their reply. Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden will open the batting.

England: 247 all out (49.5 overs)
Australia need 248 to win at 4.96 runs per over.

England will be very disappointed with their final total, as they looked good for north of 300 while Pietersen and Bell were making hay. Australia - McGrath's first spell aside - bowled superbly to restrict England, and they probably should win this match without too much drama on a good pitch.

WICKET!
J Anderson lbw b McGrath 0 (1)
Panesar misses his first, then takes a single down to long-on from his second ball. McGrath then bowls a perfect toe-crushing yorker from round the wicket, and catches Anderson plum in front.

Jimmy Anderson is the new batsman.

WICKET!
P Nixon c Hodge b McGrath 8 (6)
Nixon carts the first ball over long-on for a big six. He tries to repeat the stroke next ball from a full-toss, but doesn't get hold of it and Hodge again takes the catch.

Over 49:
England 240/8 (RR: 4.90): Nixon 2* (4), Panesar 0* (0)

Monty Panesar is the new batsman.

WICKET!
S Mahmood c Hodge b Bracken 0 (2)
Mahmood goes second ball, driving a widish full-toss in the air straight to Hodge at backward point. This innings is petering out rather disappointingly for England.

Saj Mahmood is the new batsman.

WICKET!
KP Pietersen c Clark b Bracken 104 (123)
Pietersen again can't get a full ball away for more than a single, then Nixon drives a low full-toss out to long-on for another. Pietersen drives down the ground again, and some sharp running gets them back for a couple. Pietersen then gives himself some room, and launches a drive straight down Clarke's throat at long-off, and take the catch to end an excellent innings.

Over 48: Pietersen brings up a century by flicking a full-toss down to long-on for a single. Excellent innings, but his second fifty has been a little slower than he would've liked. Nixon misses a late cut from his first ball, then gets a single to long-on from his second. Pietersen digs out a couple of McGrath yorkers, the second ofwhich he takes a single from, and Nixon misses the last ball of the over outside off. Just three from the over.
England 236/6 (RR: 4.92): Pietersen 101* (119), Nixon 1* (3)

Over 47: After missing out on a couple of full-tosses, Pietersen plays one out to deep cover for a couple, then flicks to long-on for a single.
England 233/6 (RR: 4.96): Pietersen 99* (116), Nixon 0*(0)

Paul Nixon is the new batsman.

WICKET!
R Bopara c Hussey b Bracken 21 (36)
Pietersen drives a full-toss down the ground for a single, then Bopara tries a flick over the leg-side, but it goes straight to Hussey at deep mid-wicket.

Nathan Bracken is into the attack.

Over 46: Pietersen drives down the ground for a single, then McGrath bowls just down the leg side that is rather harshly called wide. Bopara drives to the off-side for a single, then Pietersen drives down the ground for another. Bopara gets another down the ground, before Pietersen pulls for one more.
England 229/5 (RR: 4.98): Pietersen 95* (111), Bopara 21* (34)

Over 45: Bopara gets four first up with a fantastically placed drive past Hayden at mid-off. Bopara takes a single off his toes, then Pietersen tucks another off his hips for a single. Bopara whips one from off stump round the corner for one, then Pietersen drops a single into the on-side to finish the over.
England 223/5 (RR: 4.96): Pietersen 92* (109), Bopara 18* (31)

Over 44: Pietersen clubs down the ground but McGrath half-stops, and they take a single. Bopara digs out a yorker and they quickly run another. McGrath then bowls a poor, short and wide ball that Pietersen cuts past short third-man to the ropes for four. Pietersen drives down the ground for a single, then Bopara gets an inside edge and Pietersen calls them through for a rapid single.
England 215/5 (RR: 4.89): Pietersen 90* (105), Bopara 13* (29)

Glenn McGrath is back into the attack.

Over 43: Pietersen tries a couple of expansive drives, but just gets a single down to long-on from the second of them. Bopara survives an lbw appeal that Tait was sure of, but it was sliding a way down leg. Tait goes up for another next ball - which is closer, but still not out - and they take a leg-bye. Pietersen tries an almighty heave but just manages a looping single to long-on, and Bopara digs out an inswinging yorker from the final ball.
England 207/5 (RR: 4.81): Pietersen 84* (101), Bopara 11* (27)

Shaun Tait is back into the attack.

Over 42: Pietersen tries an ambitious paddle sweep first up from Symonds that gets him nothing, before a nice drive through the covers brings him two, and the 200 is up. They take a quick single to the covers, before Bopara takes a single down to long-off. Pietersen keeps the strike with a prodded single down to long-on from the last ball of the over.
England 204/5 (RR: 4.86): Pietersen 82* (98), Bopara 11* (24)

Over 41: Pietersen drives a full, straight one from McGrath down the ground for a couple, then drives out to the cover fence sweeper for a single. McGrath keeps the rest of the over to Bopara tight, and no more runs are scored.
England 199/5 (RR: 4.85): Pietersen 78* (94), Bopara 10* (22)

Glenn McGrath is back into the attack.

Over 40: Bopara again struggles to get the first three away, before whipping down to fine leg for a couple. Bopara takes a single down to long-on, then Pietersen drives to long-off for another to retain the strike.
England 196/5 (RR: 4.90): Pietersen 75* (91), Bopara 10* (19)

Andrew Symonds is into the attack.

Over 39: Pietersen drives down to long-off for asingle first up. Bopara struggles to get Bracken away from the next three, before taking a single down to long-off from ball five. Pietersen turns into the on side from the last ball, but gets nothing for it.
England 192/5 (RR: 4.92): Pietersen 74* (90), Bopara 7* (14)

Over 38: Hogg bowls a big leg side wide that Gilchrist misses and they scamper an extra run. Bopara is beaten twice with wrong'uns sliding across him from Hogg, and no more runs are scored from the over.
England 190/5 (RR: 5.00): Pietersen 73* (88), Bopara 6* (10)

Over 37: Pietersen drives just past the covers for a single, then Bopara tucks another single to square leg. Pietersen edges low down to third man for a single, which Bopara repeats, but his edge is finer and runs down to the boundary.
England 188/5 (RR: 5.08): Pietersen 73* (88), Bopara 6* (4)

Over 36: Bopara clips his first ball off his pads to get off the mark with a single, then Pietersen drives a full-toss to long-off for a single.
England 181/5 (RR: 5.03): Pietersen 71* (85), Bopara 1* (1)

Ravinder Bopara is the new batsman.

WICKET!
A Flintoff st Gilchrist b Hogg 4 (19)
Pietersen sweeps well down to fine-leg for a single, before Hogg beats Flintoff all ends up with a wrong'un. Flintoff then tries to come down the pitch to Hogg, misses, and Gilchrist does the rest. Another disappointment for Flintoff with the bat.

Over 35: Pietersen tucks a couple off his hips from Bracken's first ball back, then takes a single down to deep mid-wicket. Clarke then makes a good stop at backward point from a nice late cut from Flintoff, who then nails a drive that is too straight, and thus crashes into the stumps at the bowler's end.
England 178/4 (RR: 5.09): Pietersen 69* (82), Flintoff 4* (17)

Nathan Bracken is back into the attack.

Over 34: Flintoff sweeps the third of the over down to Bracken at fine-leg for a single. Pietersen then misses a sweep and the ball deflects off his pads past Gilchrist for a couple of leg-byes. Pietersen survives a useful lbw shout, before clipping a single round the corner from the last ball of the over.
England 175/4 (RR: 5.15): Pietersen 66* (80), Flintoff 4* (13)

Over 33: Flintoff drives at a full ball from Tait but with no reward. Tait then slips down the leg side, and after mulling it over for a good ten seconds, Koertzen signals the wide. Tait keeps the rest of the over tight until the last ball, which he drops short and Flintoff pulls round the corner for a single.
England 171/4 (RR: 5.18): Pietersen 65* (77), Flintoff 3* (10)

Over 32: Flintoff prods uncertainly at the first couple from Hogg, before tucking a single off his pads down to deep mid-wicket. Pietersen plays the rest of the over carefully, and no more runs are added.
England 169/4 (RR: 5.28): Pietersen 65* (77), Flintoff 2* (4)

Brad Hogg is back into the attack.

Over 31: Flintoff gets off the mark with a clip off his pads for a single first up.
England 168/4 (RR: 5.42): Pietersen 65* (74), Flintoff 1* (1)

Andrew Flintoff is the new batsman, who owes England a score here.

WICKET!
P Collingwood c Gilchrist b Tait 2 (5)
Pietersen clips a single off his toes from an attempted Tait yorker, which Tait then repeats next up to Collingwood, and the Durham man only just keeps it out. Tait then gets one to hold it's line outside off, and Collingwood nicks it through to Gilchrist. Yet again, England lose two wickets in quick succession.

Over 30: Collingwood leaves his first outside off, blocks his second then clips a coupleoff his toes to get off the mark from his third ball.
England 166/3 (RR: 5.33): Pietersen 64* (71), Collingwood 2* (3)

Paul Collingwood is the new batsman.

WICKET!
I Bell c Hussey b McGrath 77 (90)
Pietersen nails a pull-shot from McGrath that was heading for the ropes, but it hits Rudi Koertzen at square leg, and they have to settle for a single. Bell then plays a loose, uppish drive straight to Hussey at extra-cover, who takes a simple catch. A poor end to an excellent innings from the Warwickshire man.

Over 29: Shocker of a drop from Hayden from the second ball. Pietersen plays a terrible hoik that goes straight up in the air over the bowler's head, and Hayden runs round from mid-off and makes the most limp attempt to catch, just getting his fingertips to it when he should've done better. Tait gets away with one down the leg side, but is called for a no-ball that flies down the leg side, and the batsmen scamper single to go with the extra.
England 163/2 (RR: 5.62): Bell 77* (89), Pietersen 63* (69)

Over 28: Pietersen takes a rather ill-advised single to Brad Hodge at mid-off - replays suggest he would've made his ground if Hodge's throw had hit, but that was risky. Bell then guides down to third man for a couple. Bell then plays another remarkable shot - a back foot drive over the covers for four. This is cracking stuff from England.
England 161/2 (RR: 5.75): Bell 77* (87), Pietersen 63* (64)

Glenn McGrath is back into the attack.

Over 27: Bell slightly mis-times a drive off Tait and no run is taken. Bell takes a single from a big inside edge from an expansive drive, and Pietersen also gets an inside edge, this time onto his pads, and another single is taken. Bell then gets four with a remarkable stroke fending off a vicous short one from Tait that flies to the ropes past third man. Tricky to tell whether it was intended. Bell takes a couple from a more orthodox clip off his toes.
England 154/2 (RR: 5.70): Bell 71* (83), Pietersen 62* (62)

Shaun Tait is into the attack, and Australia take the final powerplay.

Over 26: Pietersen clips a single off his pads from a Hogg wrong 'un, then Bell tucks another off his hips. Pietersen then misses with a big slog-sweep, but Gilchrist misses as well and it goes to the ropes for four byes. Pietersen plays a more sensible shot next up for a single into the on side. Bell reverse sweeps for a single, and England are ticking along very nicely.
England 146/2 (RR: 5.62): Bell 64* (78), Pietersen 61* (61)

Over 25: Bell gets a boundary first up with a fantastic whip off his pads past short fine-leg, then gets another with another flick - this time over the man at short fine-leg. Bell pulls round the corner for a single - the fine leg now on the fence. The batsmen exchange single into the on-side, before Pietersen gets a single from a misfield from Hayden at mid-off.
England 138/2 (RR: 5.52): Bell 62* (76), Pietersen 59* (57)

Over 24: Pietersen gets a single with another paddle sweep, the Bell tucks another to square leg. Pietersen gets another couple with a curious jab through wide mid-on, then takes another two after picking out the cover boundary sweeper.
England 126/2 (RR: 5.25): Bell 52* (72), Pietersen 57* (55)

Over 23: Pietersen brings up his fifty with a clip off his toes for a single, and Bell notches up his own half-century with a similar shot. Ponting then drops a very difficult chance diving to his right, and England nick a single. A single more apiece close another decent over for England, that let-off aside.
England120/2 (RR: 5.22): Bell 51* (70), Pietersen 52* (51)

Over 22: Bell tucks a single off his hips, and Pietersen plays another sweep for a single of his own. Bell nudges another nice single into the on-side, as does Pietersen next ball. Bell then plays a lovely late cut past short third-man for a comfortable three. Pietersen drops a single into the covers from the last ball.
England 115/2 (RR: 5.23): Bell 49* (67), Pietersen 49* (48)

Over 21: Pietersen takes a single to long-on from the first ball, before Bell pulls to deep backward-square for a couple. Bell clips off his toes for another two to a wide long-on, before pushing down to long-on for a single.
England 107/2 (RR: 5.10): Bell 44* (64), Pietersen 46* (45)

Over 20: Bell brings up the hundred for England with a nice paddle sweep, before Hogg beats Pietersen's outside edge. Pietersen skips down the pitch and gets a single to mid-off with a leading edge - the shot was meant for mid-wicket.
England 101/2 (RR: 5.05): Bell 39* (59), Pietersen 45* (44)

Over 19: Pietersen carefully plays down the ground for a single off Symonds, who seems to be starting with his medium pacers. Bell tucks into the on-side for a well run quick single, before more good running gets a couple after Pietersen paddles a sweep to fine-leg. Pietersen finishes the over by backing away and hammering through the covers for another boundary - that's the sort of shot you'd expect to see in the closing stages of a chase!
England 99/2 (RR: 5.21): Bell 38* (55), Pietersen 44* (42)

Andrew Symonds is into the attack.

Over 18: Pietersen picks a Hogg wrong'un and clips neatly for a couple past short fine-leg, the sweeps for another single. Bell punches a full-toss down the ground for a single to long-on, before Pietersen clips another full-toss for a single to deep mid-wicket.
England 91/2 (RR: 5.06): Bell 37* (53), Pietersen 37* (38)

Over 17: Pietersen plays a delicate paddle sweep for a single to fine leg, then Bell cuts to point for another. Pietersen hits a firmly strauck sweep for four past the despairing dive of Hussey on the fence, before slightly mis-hitting a sweep for another couple. Pietersen sweeps yet again to cap another productive over for England with a single.
England 86/2 (RR: 5.06): Bell 36* (52), Pietersen 33* (33)

Drinks are taken, and England will be quite happy with their recovery since the early loss of Strauss and Vaughan.

Over 16: Pietersen sweeps a full-toss to deep backward-square for a single, before Bell misses a similar shot. Bell then comes down the pitch to push past the bowler for a single, and Pietersen picks up another single into the on-side from a full one from Hogg.
England 77/2 (RR: 4.81): Bell 35* (51), Pietersen 25* (28)

Brad Hogg is into the attack.

Australia don't seem to be taking the third powerplay straight away, possibly trying to copy Mahela Jayawardene's tactics for Sri Lanka.

Over 15: Pietersen carefully sweeps down to deep backward-square for a single, then Bell paddles round the corner for another. Pietersen finally cuts loose at Clarke, skipping down the track and hammering low past mid-on for four, then doing the same next up to loft high over the ropes for six. He closes another good over for England by slapping a sweep to deep backward-square for a single.
England 74/2 (RR: 4.93): Bell 34* (49), Pietersen 23* (24)

Over 14: Bell nibbles at one outside off but luckily for him misses, then plays a wonderful lofted cover drive to the ropes for four. He then plays an even better square drive for anotherboundary, and England's plan of getting after McGrath is working thus far. Bell then strikes the third four of the over with a magnificent drive wide of mid-off - this is cracking stuff from the man dubbed the 'Shermanator' by Shane Warne in the Ashes.
England 61/2 (RR: 4.36): Bell 33* (48), Pietersen 11* (19)

Over 13: Bell sweeps for a single first up, then Pietersen plays the remainder of the over very, very carefully. He survives a very decent lbw shout from the last ball, and there is just one run from the over.
England 49/2 (RR: 3.77): Bell 21* (42), Pietersen 11* (19)

Over 12: McGrath bowls a typically tight line to Bell, who late cuts the fourth ball for a single. Pietersen takes a step across and half forward to flick a low full toss off his pads past a wide mid-on for a boundary. Pietersen rather misses out on a long-hop from the last ball, mis-hitting a pull into the ground, and he and Ponting have words at the end of the over.
England 48/2 (RR: 4.00): Bell 20* (41), Pietersen 11* (14)

Over 11: Pietersen drives at the first three from Clarke, getting a single down the ground from the third. Bell sweeps very fine past Gilchrist for a single, before Pietersen gets more on a similar stroke to take two.
England 43/2 (RR: 3.91): Bell 19* (37), Pietersen 7* (12)

A curious bowling change - the occasional spin of Michael Clarke is into the attack. This is either very silly or very astute, as Pietersen has been very keen to get after bowlers such as Clarke, and could get out carelessly.

Australia take the second powerplay straight away.

Over 10: McGrath bangs a short one in to Bell first up, that Bell pulls safely over mid-wicket without too much timing, but he gets a couple for it. He then lofts a drive well over mid-off for a boundary, and England are certainly looking to attack McGrath. He late cuts the next wide of third man for another couple, before blocking the remaining two balls of the over.
England 39/2 (RR: 3.90): Bell 18* (35), Pietersen 4* (8)

Glenn McGrath is into the attack for Australia.

Over 9: Bracken keeps the first three tight on off again, but strays down the leg side and a wide is called. Bell does well to carve the fifth ball down to third man for a single, before Pietersen tucks the last ball into the leg side for no run.
England 31/2 (RR: 3.44): Bell 10* (29), Pietersen 4* (8)

Over 8: Tait bangs one in to Pietersen second ball, aiming for the ribs cracked in the CB Series, but he fends it off. Pietersen then crunches a brilliant straight drive off a full no-ball down the ground for four - cracking shot. He then flings the bat at one outside off, but doesn't quite get it away. He repeats the shot - with the same result - next ball, and he has to be a little careful that he doesn't get carried away. Tait closes the over with a quick short one, that Pietersen does well to get over and fend away.
England 29/2 (RR: 3.63): Bell 9* (24), Pietersen 4* (7)

Over 7: Bracken keeps it tight to Bell on or around off stump for the whole of over 7, resulting in the first maiden of the day.
England 24/2 (RR: 3.43): Bell 9* (24), Pietersen 0* (0)

Over 6:
England 24/2 (RR: 4.00): Bell 9* (18), Pietersen 0* (0)

Kevin Pietersen is the new batsman.

WICKET!
A Strauss b Tait 7 (10)
Bell opens the next over with the best shot of the innings thus far, driving straight past the bowler for a boundary. Bell gets a thick inside edge on an attemptedyorker down to fine-leg for a single. Tait bowls his first wide of the day - a big one down leg side - before Strauss chops onto his stumps from another shortish one. The change hasn't worked.

Over 5: Strauss drives at the first couple but straight into the covers, but he looks in reasonable touch early on, particularly considering he has had no cricket for a month and a half. He gets one through the infield from ball four, square-driving to a wide third man for a couple. He gets a slightly lucky edge to third man for another couple from the last ball, that Tait scrambles to save.
England 18/1 (RR: 3.60): Bell 4* (14), Strauss 7* (8)

Over 4: Tait welcomes Strauss to the crease with a rapid bouncer, that is too high for umpire Billy Bowden's liking and he calls a wide. He sends down another short one that is slightly better directed and Strauss fends away, before pitching up outside off for Strauss to drive through the covers for three. Tait goes up loudly for lbw from a full ball to Bell, but that was going a long way down leg.
England 14/1 (RR: 3.50): Bell 4* (14), Strauss 3* (2)

Andrew Strauss is the new batsman.

WICKET!
M Vaughan b Tait 5 (8)
Tait strays onto leg stump for the first time and Bell takes a leg-bye down to fine-leg. Tait then sends down another lifter that Vaughan carelessly dangles his bat towards, and gets an inside edge onto the stumps. Another poor start for England.

Over 3: Bell - again moving forward and across - is forward to the first couple from Bracken, but then carves a slightly shorter one for a single. Vaughan opens the face to the next ball, gets a rather thinner edge than he wanted, but it goes along the ground between first and second slip for the first boundary of the day.
England 9/0 (RR: 3.00): Bell 4* (11), Vaughan 5* (7)

Over 2: Tait's first ball is a big lifter that almost smacks into Vaughan's chin, but he just swayed out of the way in time. The next is another lifter but just outside off, and Vaughan does well to guide down to third man for a single. Bell's first from Tait is another short one, that he leaves, but a fuller ball is played to third man for another single. Vaughan digs out a yorker length delivery from the last ball and no more runs are scored.
England 4/0 (RR: 2.00): Bell 3* (8), Vaughan 1* (4)

Shaun Tait will share the new ball.

Over 1: Bracken's first ball is a very, very wide one that Bell reaches for and jabs through the covers for a couple. Interestingly, Bell seems to be moving an awful long way across his stumps to Bracken, and taking a couple of steps down the pitch as well. He watchfully plays the rest of the over, and no more runs are added.
England 2/0 (RR: 2.00): Bell 2* (6), Vaughan 0* (0)

Nathan Bracken will open the bowling for Australia.

Ian Bell and Michael Vaughan will open the batting for England.

The teams are out on the field, ready for this match that, while is perhaps not quite as vital as it was before Bangladesh beat South Africa, is still huge for both sides.

Teams:

England: Vaughan, Bell, Strauss, Pietersen, Collingwood, Flintoff, Bopara, Nixon, Mahmood, Anderson, Panesar.

Australia: Hayden, Gilchrist, Ponting, Clarke, Hussey, Symonds, Hodge, Hogg, Bracken, McGrath, Tait.

Australia replace the injured Shane Watson with the extra batting of Brad Hodge.

England make one change to the side that narrowly lost to Sri Lanka, and it's the one that was expected - Andrew Strauss replaces Ed Joyce. Interestingly, Michael Vaughan says that Strauss will batat three, with Ian Bell opening with the skipper.

Afternoon. The first thing to report is that England have won the toss and will bat first, hoping to put a big total up on a good looking pitch.