World champions Australia easily beat England by 125 runs in their day/night triangular tournament one-day international at Old Trafford today.
Chasing a rain-revised 212 off 46 overs, England were bowled out for 86, their lowest total in a one-day international, surpassing the 93 all out they made against Australia in the 1975 World Cup semi-final at Headingley.
Fast bowlers Jason Gillespie (3-20) and Glenn McGrath (2-19) did the bulk of the damage, ripping through the top order. Andrew Caddick was eight not out.
This was a match England had to win to have any realistic chance of qualifying for the final. Instead they went down to a record extending ninth straight one-day defeat.
Earlier Australia made 208 for seven in their 48 overs, captain Steve Waugh top-scoring with 64 and Damien Martyn 51 not out.
Australia have now won three matches out of three in this tournament. - AFP