Stuart Broad helped England record their first victory at an ICC limited-overs tournament as they thrashed Australia by seven wickets in Barbados.
The Nottinghamshire paceman finished the match wicketless, but conceded just 27 runs from his four overs as England’s bowlers restricted their opponents to 147-6. Broad also took an important catch to dismiss Cameron White, who had threatened an Australian revival with David Hussey.
Winning the toss, England captain Paul Collingwood elected to field and his bowling attack had Australia in immediate trouble. Shane Watson was removed by Ryan Sidebottom in the first over for just two, and by the time Brad Haddin was unluckily given out to the same bowler, the Aussies were in trouble on 8-3.
'The way England were playing, we probably needed 200' – Michael Clarke
Broad and co continued to frustrate Australia’s attempts to build an imposing total, although some lusty blows from White and the Hussey brothers down the order gave England something to chase. David Hussey making 59, while White chipped in with 30 from just 19 balls before falling to Luke Wright.
England’s run chase got off to the worst possible start when Michael Lumb was dismissed for two by Shaun Tait. However, that proved a minor hiccup as Craig Keiswetter and Kevin Pietersen put on 111 runs for the second wicket.
Australia were given a sniff of victory when Pietersen and Kieswetter fell in quick succession. The former holing out three runs short of his half century, before Kieswetter curiously left a straight one from Mitchell Johnson and was bowled for 63.
In truth though the damage had already been done, and Collingwood and Eoin Morgan were able to guide England home. The captain hitting consecutive 6,4,4 to finish things off with exactly three overs to spare.
After the match, Australian captain Michael Clarke paid tribute to England, and admitted the better side won on the day.
“I don’t think we scored enough runs. I think you’ve got to give credit to England, they outplayed us,” he told the BBC. “The way England were playing, we probably needed 200. They’ve had a wonderful tournament.”
Broad finished the tournament as England’s third-highest wicket taker, with eight. Find out how much the 23-year-old knows about his team-mate Freddie Flintoff here.
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