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One down, one to go
By Sam Hathaway February 9 2007
England fans all over will have a huge smile on their face today after an inspiring performance from England hero Paul Collingwood helped England win the first match of the CB series final. Yes England have beaten Australia again!

Could England lose the series now? We've beaten them twice in consession so the odds surely must be backing England to win the final.

Australia won the toss and elected to bat first, Hayden struck four boundaries inside the first three overs as Australia looked like they were to run Liam Plunkett and Sajid Mahmood ragged.

But Adam Gilchrist was deceived by a slower ball from Mahmood, driving to Flintoff at mid-off. 

Ponting came in and was almost caught at point off his first ball faced but got into it with two fours off Plunkett.

Ponting then attempted a square cut off Monty Panesar, but was early on the shot and Collingwood leapt to his left at short extra cover to take a brilliant catch.

The run rate slowed down and then Hayden fell to Jamie Dalrymple, driving high to Mahmood at long-on.

Brad Hodge was unlucky when umpire Darryl Harper ruled him lbw to Panesar.

Michael Hussey and Michael Clarke put on 33 but then fell consecutive deliveries in the 43rd over.

Clarke (33), attempted a quick single but was beaten by Collingwood's throw and Hussey nicked Flintoff to Paul Nixon.

The 47th over saw two more wickets fall, bringing last man Glenn McGrath to the crease.

And an yorker from Flintoff was far too good for McGrath.

The England innings had begun and Australia had made a great start.

Umpire Harper gave Mal Loye out lbw to Brett Lee and the same bowler had Ed Joyce caught at mid-on.

Bracken angled a ball into Andrew Strauss's pads, England's were now in termoil.

Bell was in and looking confident with his partner Collingwood and they had plenty of time to inject a sense of patience into the England innings, mindful of the need to lose no further wickets.

And Bell had one major reprieve when McGrath dropped him on 18 at fine leg. This was a wake up for England who knew they had a job to do.

 
 

England were unexpectedly on top and the two right-handers took the score to 147 - the tourists needing 105 from 103 balls.

But a perfect yorker from Lee crashed into the base of Bell's stumps to end his innings on a respectable 65.

Flintoff began uncertainly, but grew with confidence when a clean hit off Brad Hogg soared over the boundary. Now the wicket getting slower and slower, boundaries were thin on the ground, but England ran the ones and twos well to leave 31 wanted off the last 29 balls.

At this point, Flintoff edged Shane Watson - playing his first international game of the season.

The run-out of Dalrymple left the equation a harder 25 off 18 balls.

But Ponting kept Watson on when he could have turned to Bracken and Collingwood hit two vital boundaries with the over costing 12.

Nixon backed Collingwood well and the final runs were scored by the centurion to secure a great victory. England now need one more win to win the series.

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