CRICKET:EOIN MORGAN followed up his unbeaten century by top-scoring with 52 as England took a 2-0 lead over Australia in the NatWest Series at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff last night.
The 23-year-old Dubliner wasn't able to see his adopted country over the line as he had in Southampton on Tuesday, with Doug Bollinger getting an edge through to wicket-keeper Tim Paine soon after Morgan had made his ninth ODI half-century.
Morgan's departure left England on 211 for six, still 29 shy of victory, but Graeme Swann and Tim Bresnan saw their team home with 4.4 overs remaining, Swann striking a six to secure a four-wicket victory. Another win over their arch-rivals in Manchester next Sunday would wrap up the one-day series with two games still to play.
Australia's total of 239 for seven - compiled largely through the efforts of Cameron White (86 not out) and Shane Watson (57) - was kept in check by England seamer Stuart Broad, who took four wickets for 44 runs on his 24th birthday.
Paul Collingwood became England's record one-day run scorer in compiling 48, taking him past Alec Stewart's career mark of 4,677.
England rocked briefly at 109 for three, and again at 211 for six, but Collingwood and Morgan compiled a crucial 83-run partnership.
Morgan immediately confirmed his excellent form with an impudent paddle-sweep from the first ball he faced, when almost any other player would surely have at least paid off-spinner Nathan Hauritz the respect of pushing up the line in defence.
There were to be only three fours in his 59-ball 50, but Morgan's uncanny limited-overs skills incorporate finding the gaps almost at will for ones and twos as well as clearing the ropes.
Skipper Andrew Strauss earlier made 51 but fell disappointingly when he chipped a return catch back at Hauritz.
Captain Ricky Ponting provided a rare highlight for the tourists when he took a stunning one-handed catch above his head at midwicket to end Kevin Pietersen's innings on 33.
But their injury-ravaged bowling attack often found life tough, leaving Ponting and his players with a huge task to turn things around as they head for Old Trafford.
Strauss was delighted with his side's efforts after Australia got off to a good start in their innings
"We dragged it back really well. Chasing 239, you'd take that every time against Australia. We had a bit of a wobble at the end but it's another good performance."
AUSTRALIA
S Watson c Kieswetter b Wright 57
T Paine c Kieswetter b Broad 16
R Ponting c Kieswetter b Broad 13
M Clarke c Swann b Broad 1
C White not out 86
M Hussey b Anderson 14
S Smith c Collingwood b Broad 41
J Hopes run out 8
N Hauritz not out 0
Extras (nb1 w2) 3
Total (for 7 wkts, 50 ovs) 239
Did not bat: D Bollinger, C McKay.
Fall of wickets: 1-51, 2-67, 3-77, 4-94, 5-118, 6-202, 7-238.
Bowling: J Anderson 10-1-63-1; T Bresnan 9-0-44-0; S Broad 10-0-44-4; L Wright 9-0-38-1; M Yardy 8-0-31-0; G Swann 4-0-19-0.
ENGLAND
A Strauss c&b Hauritz51
C Kieswetter c Paine b Bollinger8
K Pietersen c Ponting b Smith33
P Collingwood b Bollinger48
E Morgan c Paine b Bollinger52
L Wright b Hopes10
T Bresnan not out12
G Swann not out19
Extras (lb2 nb5 w3)10
Total (for 6 wkts, 45.2ovs)243
Did not bat: M Yardy, S Broad, J Anderson.
Fall of wickets: 1-23, 2-91, 3-109, 4-192, 5-211, 6-211.
Bowling: D Bollinger 10-2-46-3; C McKay 9.2-0-60-0; J Hopes 5-0-30-1; N Hauritz 10-0-56-1; S Smith 8-0-40-1; S Watson 3-0-9-0.
England won by 4 wickets.
