Australia beat England at MCG

Saturday, 15 January 2011 00:03 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Australia unearthed a Twenty20 star of the future in Aaron Finch as the home side scored a thrilling four-run win at the MCG to square their two-game series against England.

Second-gamer Finch (53 not out) scored his maiden half-century to allow Australia to post a competitive total of 7-147 on a slow-paced pitch in front of 58,837 fans.

Left-arm quick Mitchell Johnson grabbed 3-29 in England’s 6-143 in reply.

Australia’s win ended England’s T20 world-record winning streak at eight matches.

England needed 18 from the final over, bowled by Brett Lee and almost got there after Chris Woakes hit a huge six over long-on from the fourth delivery. But with six needed from the last ball, Tim Bresnan could only manage a single. Earlier, Ian Bell breezed his way to 39 before he was bowled by Johnson at 1-60 in the eighth over.

Johnson struck again thee balls later to have Kevin Pietersen brilliantly caught at cover by skipper Cameron White for one.

Paceman Shane Watson, after taking 4-15 against England on Wednesday, backed up with another great effort, taking 2-17.

Watson removed skipper Paul Collingwood (6) and opener Steve Davies (29) in the 10th and 14th overs as the tourists put their faith in No.5 batsman Eoin Morgan.

Australia’s athletic fielding continued as Steve Smith leapt high to dismiss Luke Wright for 18 and Finch held a fine catch at deep mid-wicket to dismiss Morgan (14) as Johnson claimed his third wicket.

England’s spin twins Graeme Swann and Michael Yardy each took 2-19 and Australia had been in serious trouble at 5-80 batting first.

However, Finch and Steve Smith (13) shared a 51-run partnership.

Victoria’s Finch, in front of his appreciative home crowd, blasted four fours and two sixes in his unbeaten 53 from 33 deliveries to win the man of the match award.

White had opted to bat first despite the slow pitch and heavy rain which had fallen on the ground on Friday morning.

Watson (17) and David Warner (30) added 37 for the first wicket and the adventurous Tim Paine smashed 21 from 12 balls.

Australia were 2-72 before losing short-form specialists Warner, White (0) and David Hussey (8) to the spin twins in the 10th, 11th and 12th overs.

But Smith and the 24-year-old Finch, who scored 15 not out on debut in Adelaide on Wednesday, kept calm and rebuilt Australia’s innings.

Finch capped off a memorable week after being picked up by the Delhi Daredevils on a contract worth $A302,000 a year in the T20 Indian Premier League players’ auction last weekend.

Australia’s seven-match series of one-day internationals against England starts on Sunday at the MCG.