Story Scotland play Natwest ICC Knockout Trophy

Who is the Man of the Series?


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The story continues. For those keeping score there have now been 11 runouts in the first 25 overs including 6 by the same player (Andrew Symonds). Don't say I'm not giving them a chance.

With the 15 over fielding restrictions lifted, Australia found big runs much harder to come by. Paul Hoffman bowled out his 10 overs for a superb 47 runs and the captain Craig Wright began to find his line and length too at the other end. Despite another excellent lbw shout and numerous play and misses Symonds recorded his 14th ODI 50 off 57 balls:

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The arrival of Gavin Hamilton again put the shackles on the Australian batsmen. Hamilton bowled an incredible 14 dots balls in his first 3 overs but went for 3 boundaries. It was him though who finally tempted Symonds into a rash shot. Trying to hit over the top of cover, Symonds skied it and Cedric English took his second catch of the innings:

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Australia 133/5
This brought the exciting Michael Clarke to the crease who promptly drove Hamilton for 4 off his first ball:

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At the 25 over mark, Australia were 137/5 - a runrate of 5.48 an over

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Australia are in real danger of exposing their lower order if they lose another wicket now. More later.
 
Michael Clarke was unable to build on his excellent start and was soon getting frustrated with the excellent Gavin Hamilton. An attempted lofted off drive fell just short of the fielder. Australia added just 10 in 10 overs (with Lehmann dominating the strike) as Wright bowled out his allocation and a frugal Dougie Brown joined the attack.
In the 34th over Clarke finally lost patience and sliced Hamilton straight to point where Dougie Brown took a diving catch:

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Hamilton went on to complete a wicket maiden.
 
Brett Lee, the new batsman, looked distinctly uncomfortable against Brown's short ball; twice being hit:

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The stump mic picked up some comments between the two players that could see them both hauled up before the match referee.
Lee and Lehmann also survived a very close runout shout which had to be referred the 3rd Umpire:

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It was Brown who got his man though, coming around the wicket to Lee and taking the edge through to a delighted Colin Smith. Colin Smith, a milkman normally, revelling in the loss of another Australian wicket. Australia 160/7

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Lehmann had been scoring slowly all inning and with the tail around him decided it was time to take the bowlers on. He hit 2 or 3 glorious on drives through a tight inner field before trying to smash Hamilton into the grandstand and finding More at long on.

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With the loss of their last senior batsman the Australian lower order lost discipline. Gillespie marched down the track to hoist Maiden for 4 but was clean bowled the very next ball by an excellent delivery from the off-spinner who spent much of last season playing for Lancashire:

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Off the same over, McGrath and Kasprowicz got in a terrible mixup resulting in Kasprovicz being runout by Wright. The final Australian total: a dismal 181 ao off 38 overs

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The Australian runrate fell away badly after the first 15 overs and they continued to lose wickets regularly:

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By contrast the Scottish bowlers were economical and took wickets; restricting Australia to a runrate of just 4.76 an over. A superb all round performance:

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Scotland require 182 at just 3.64 an over but can they withstand the mighty Australian bowling attack. Find out later.
 
Good bowling there by the scots, a fantastic show of nerve, a low run rate to chase but the batsmen might not be able to cope with the Aussie class bowling act.
 

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