England managed to stop the rot in the one day international series with Australia to beat the home side by 21 runs. Andrew Strauss won the toss and elected to bat first which didn’t seem like such a great idea as the captain’s wicket fell for just eight runs. Before Matt Prior and Jonathan Trott steadied the ship with a partnership worth 113 runs before Prior was caught while on 67 runs, Trott went on to make 102 runs before being clean bowled by Hussey. Kevin Pietersen came and went in 13 deliveries making 12 runs, Ian Bell went for a duck facing his second delivery. Morgan and Collingwood made contributions of 24 and 27 respectively while Michael Yardy guided England to the end of their innings making 39 runs along the way to a total of 299 – 8. Australia needed to make 300 runs in their allotted 50 overs which the Aussies failed to make; coming up 21 runs short! Shane Watson was the best of the Australian Batsmen hitting 64 off 72 deliveries before edging to Prior. With the exception of Steve Smith who hit 46 not out in a late rally; the Aussie batsmen were mediocre at best. Andrew Strauss claims that England can win the one day series but that is unlikely having to win the remaining three games to claim the series victory, but anything is possible if improbable; let’s see if England can carry this form into next game!
Liverpool continue their resurgence against Fulham at Anfield; beating the visitors by a solitary goal. Fulham to their credit made Liverpool work for the victory denying the Reds until seven minutes after half-time. Fernando Torres had his shot rebound off the post and subsequently; a mistimed clearance by John Pantsil found its went into the back of his own net! Torres was denied an earlier goal by a dubious off side ruling, to be denied by a dodgy off side ruling and the woodwork in one game is plain unlucky but he seems to be coming back to the form we’d expect from the Spaniard! Liverpool move upto seventh in the Premier League; nine points behind Chelsea in the big four. Kenny Dalglish certainly seems to be working his magic in the dressing room, three games without a loss is an achievement this season, more of the same please “King” Kenny!