CLARKE ENDS PAINFUL WAIT FOR WIN ON ENGLISH SOIL
ENGLAND were left to rue absent friends as Australia captain Michael Clarke finally tasted victory over them this summer.
Australia have had three prime ministers since Clarke arrived on these shores and, with a quintet of firstchoice England players resting, he took his toll on an experimental home side by striking his eighth oneday international hundred at Old Trafford yesterday.
Having succumbed to some unplayable deliveries during a chastening Test campaign, this was a time to cash in against a greenhorn attack, and his 105 redressed the balance.
Australia were also trying to live up to prematch claims by their coach Darren Lehmann t hat t he two countries are more evenly matched than events this summer have suggested.
‘Both teams have found out a lot about each other and the next series is going to be another great one,’ he said in a prematch interview.
‘Even though this series ended 30, it could easily have been 32 to Australia, or 22.’
‘This is only the start, we have three more important games and hopefully we can continue to perform the way we have,’ Clarke added, following the 88run victory. ‘Getting that winning feeling is a nice side of the fence to be on.’
Meanwhile, Ireland completed a World League double over Scotland at Stormont with a sevenwicket win yesteday. The hosts won by one wicket in Friday’s thriller but this was much easier after Scotland were all out for just 165.
Kevin O’Brien and Max Sorensen both claimed three wickets, while Calum MacLeod topscored with an impressive 39.