CLOSE OF PLAY

Australia have chased down their target of 248 runs with 7 wickets and 16 balls to spare. Hayden and Gilchrist got Australia off to a quick and steady start as usual but they were both dismissed leaving Australia at 89/2. Ponting and Clarke took their time and got a steady partnership going eventually putting on 112 for the 3rd wicket that took the game away from England. Ponting worked hard for his 86 until he was brilliantly run-out by Collingwood. Michael Clarke made a sensible 55 not out and remained till in the end. Andrew Symonds struck some lusty blows in the end to seal the victory in style. On the whole it was a very comfortable chase and a very comprehensive victory for Australia. The turning point of the game was perhaps the England collapse in the first innings. Australia have now all but booked their place in the last four. England, on the other hand, are mostly depending on other results but more importantly will have to win their remaining matches if they are to have any chance of sneaking into the Semi-Finals.

FOUR

47.2 : S.MAHMOOD to A.SYMONDS , Symonds plays the pull-shot to perfection over Mid-Wicket.. The ball has crossed the ropes. Umpire Koertzen signals four runs. Australia win by 7 wickets.

CHANGE OF BOWLER

James Anderson returns to the attack

3LB

45.3 : S.MAHMOOD to A.SYMONDS , Ball hits Symonds low on the pads. They've managed to run three. Leg byes given by the umpire.

FOUR

45.2 : S.MAHMOOD to A.SYMONDS , Powerfully driven through the covers by Symonds. The ball has crossed the ropes. Four runs has been signalled by Umpire Bowden.

HIGHLIGHT

Michael Clarke hits his 24th ODI fifty in 59 balls

FOUR

43.4 : S.MAHMOOD to M.CLARKE , Clarke has casually lofted it over mid off. The ball races to the boundary. Umpire Koertzen signals a boundary.

CHANGE OF BOWLER

Sajid Mahmood returns for another spell

FOUR

42.2 : A.FLINTOFF to A.SYMONDS , Symonds has absolutely slammed it through point. The ball races to the boundary. Four runs has been signalled by Umpire Bowden.

SIX

41.4 : P.C'GWOOD to A.SYMONDS , Symonds has powerfully lofted it over mid off. That was six from the time it left the bat of Symonds. Up go the arms of the umpire.

FOUR

41.2 : P.C'GWOOD to A.SYMONDS , It's been lofted over well Mid-on by Symonds. The ball has crossed the ropes. Four runs has been signalled by Umpire Koertzen.

NEXT BATSMAN IN

Andrew Symonds is the new man in

WICKET

40.1 : A.FLINTOFF to R.PONTING , OUT - Ponting plays to Point and takes off. Collingwood picks up the ball in a flash and hits the stumps directly. Ponting is caught well short of his crease on his way back.

CHANGE OF BOWLER

Andrew Flintoff comes in to bowl

FOUR

38 : M.PANESAR to R.PONTING , Ponting just lofts it over mid off this time. The ball races to the boundary. Umpire Koertzen signals four runs.

HIGHLIGHT

Ponting and Clarke complete a century stand for the 3rd wicket in 112 balls

FOUR

37.5 : M.PANESAR to R.PONTING , Ponting has taken the risk and lofted it over the in field. The ball has crossed the ropes. Four runs has been signalled by Umpire Koertzen.

FOUR

35 : P.C'GWOOD to R.PONTING , It's been lofted well over Mid-on by Ponting. The ball has crossed the ropes. Four runs has been signalled by Umpire Bowden.

CHANGE OF BOWLER

Paul Collingwood comes in to bowl

FOUR

33.3 : M.PANESAR to R.PONTING , It's a clean strike over mid wicket by Ponting. The ball has crossed the ropes. Four runs has been signalled by Umpire Koertzen.

CHANGE OF BOWLER

Andrew Flintoff is reintroduced into the attack

HIGHLIGHT

50 partnership between Ponting and Clarke in 67 balls

FOUR

30.2 : S.MAHMOOD to R.PONTING , Delicate glance by Ponting through the fine leg region. The ball races to the boundary. Umpire Ponting signals four runs.

HIGHLIGHT

Ponting hits his 60th ODI fifty in 69 balls

FOUR

30.1 : S.MAHMOOD to R.PONTING , Ponting has slammed it through point. The ball races to the boundary. The Umpire signals a boundary.

DRINKS

Drinks break is taken after 30 overs. Australia are in command at 134/2 but a couple of wickets at this stage could turn the match on its head

CHANGE OF BOWLER

Another bowling change as Monty Panesar is reintroduced into the attack

FOUR

29 : S.MAHMOOD to R.PONTING , Elegantly driven through the off side by Ponting. The ball has crossed the ropes. Umpire Bowden signals four runs.

CHANGE OF BOWLER

Sajid Mahmood returns for another spell

FOUR

27.1 : P.C'GWOOD to R.PONTING , Nicely guided down to fine leg by Ponting. The ball races to the boundary. Umpire Koertzen signals a boundary.

CHANGE OF BOWLER

James Anderson reintroduced into the bowling attack

NEXT BATSMAN IN

Michael Clarke is the new man in

CHANGE OF BOWLER

Paul Collingwood comes in to bowl

WICKET

19.1 : P.C'GWOOD to M.HAYDEN , OUT - Off-cutter from Collingwood beats the bat of Hayden and clips off-stump. Collingwood strikes first up.

FOUR

17.5 : M.PANESAR to R.PONTING , Ponting has driven it through the off side. The ball races to the boundary. Umpire Koertzen signals four runs.

FOUR

16.1 : A.FLINTOFF to R.PONTING , Thick inside edge from Ponting, ball goes down to the fielder at Fine Leg who doesn't stop it. The ball races to the boundary. Four runs has been signalled by Umpire Bowden.

POWER PLAY

Umpire Koertzen indicates the Third Powerplay for Overs 16-20

DRINKS

Drinks is taken with Australia steady in the chase at 71/1 in 15 overs

FOUR

12.5 : A.FLINTOFF to M.HAYDEN , Hayden has lofted that well over mid off. The ball has crossed the ropes. Four runs has been signalled by The Umpire.

CHANGE OF BOWLER

Monty Panesar introduced into the attack

NEXT BATSMAN IN

Ricky Ponting is the new man out in the middle

WICKET

11 : A.FLINTOFF to A.GILCHRIST , OUT - Gilchrist tries to punch the ball off the backfoot but doesn't complete the shot and ends up pushing it straight to Collingwood at point.

FOUR

10.4 : A.FLINTOFF to M.HAYDEN , Hayden walks out and plays the pull-shot over Mid-Wicket. The ball has crossed the ropes. Four runs has been signalled by The Umpire.

CHANGE OF BOWLER

Andrew Flintoff replaces Anderson in the attack

POWER PLAY

Powerplay 2 is taken by England for Overs 11-15

FOUR

9.3 : S.MAHMOOD to A.GILCHRIST , Gilchrist has slammed that slower delivery through point. The ball races to the boundary. Umpire Koertzen signals a boundary.

FOUR

8.2 : J.ANDERSON to A.GILCHRIST , Gilchrist flicks it away with a wristy shot and times it very well. The ball races to the boundary. Four runs has been signalled by The Umpire.

FOUR

7 : J.ANDERSON to M.HAYDEN , Driven hard through the covers by Hayden. The ball has crossed the ropes. The Umpire signals four runs.

HIGHLIGHT

Australia take their first single after 38 balls.

FOUR

6.1 : J.ANDERSON to M.HAYDEN , Delicate glance by Hayden through the fine leg region. The ball races to the boundary. Umpire Bowden signals four runs.

FOUR

3.3 : S.MAHMOOD to A.GILCHRIST , Delicate glance by Gilchrist through the fine leg region. The ball has crossed the ropes. Umpire Koertzen signals four runs.

FOUR

2.4 : J.ANDERSON to M.HAYDEN , Crisply driven through the covers by Hayden. The ball has crossed the ropes. Four runs has been signalled by Umpire Bowden.

FOUR

1.5 : S.MAHMOOD to A.GILCHRIST , Gilchrist plays the pull-shot to perfection. The ball has crossed the ropes. The Umpire signals four runs.

FOUR

1.1 : S.MAHMOOD to A.GILCHRIST , Gilchrist drives beautifully through the covers. The ball races to the boundary. Umpire Koertzen signals four runs.

GENERAL

Sajid Mahmood to partner Anderson in the attack from the North Stand End.

GENERAL

James Anderson to start proceedings from the Pavilion End.

GENERAL

Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden to open the innings for the Australians.

GENERAL

Australia require 248 runs to win in 50 overs.