Cameron White's maiden ODI century was the cornerstone of Australia's six-wicket win against England here last night as they went 3-0 up in the seven-match series.
Cameron White's maiden ODI century was the cornerstone of Australia's six-wicket win against England here last night as they went 3-0 up in the seven-match series.
Easy chase
Australia, chasing 229 for victory under the Rose Bowl floodlights, finished on 230 for four with nine balls to spare as regular captain Ricky Ponting, back from his post-Ashes break, watched from the pavilion.
|
|
Australia's Cameron White (left) is congratulated on his century by Michael Clarke during the 3rd ODI against England yesterday. pic/afp |
White, whose previous best of 53 came in Friday's series-opening four-run win at the Oval, made 105 before he hit Luke Wright to Ryan Sidebottom at mid-off with Australia needing nine runs off 16 balls for victory.
Together with skipper Michael Clarke (52), he shared a stand of 143 after Australia were 52 for two. Callum Ferguson and Michael Hussey completed the win. Having survived two run-out chances, White should have been out for 92 but Tim Bresnan at long-on dropped one off James Anderson. Instead he went on to complete a 116-ball century with a six and nine fours in his 32nd match at this level.
Australia's bowlers had restricted England to 228 for nine, with medium-pacer Shane Watson taking three wickets for 36 runs as the hosts top-order failed again.
Ninth-wicket standEngland were indebted to a ninth-wicket stand of 40 in 41 deliveries between Bresnan, 31 not out, and Sidebottom (24). Only England captain Andrew Strauss (63) and Eoin Morgan (43) managed more than Bresnan.
"I'm glad I could get an opportunity to make the most of it. The last three games I've enjoyed batting up the order. It's nice to assess conditions and play, rather than trying to come in and score runs straight away," said White, promoted up the order to fill Ponting's No 3 berth.
