A century from Tim Guttridge in his final international match paved
the way for an Ingland win in the deciding match of the blind Ashes
series at Bradfield College on 28th August. Australia posted 303 for
the second time in the series and, as at Horsham, England were able
to chase the target down this time with 3 wickets to spare. After the
match Tim announced his retirement from international cricket. [More | Photo Gallery | Scorecard]
England
level series as Australia are timed out
England completed a memorable victory at Horsham CC on
26th August to level the Ashes series with one match to play. Australia
had looked odds on to win the match and take the trophy after posting
a challeging 303 all out. England struggled in their innings losing
their top order and falling behind the required rate. But a quickfire
47 from 14 year old Luke Sugg set up the improbable climax with David
Townley and Miles Northwood able to push the score along at more than
10 an over. Australia's slow over rate meant that the Umpires called
a halt to the proceedings 3 overs short of the required 40 and England
received 10 penalty runs for each B1 over not bowled. The consequent
30 runs took them past the necessary total and sets up a nerve-jangling
finale at Bradfield College on 28th August. [More | Photo Gallery | Scorecard]
Australia
power past England in Ashes series
Australia completed a morale boosting 10 wicket win over England in
a rain affected match at the Rosebowl on 25th August. After heavy overnight
rain the match was reduced to 28 overs. Batting first England were soon
in trouble losing both openers with the score on 13 runs. Bowlers Peter
Robinson and Ray Moxley were proving a handful and England struggled
to 179/7 in their 28 overs with Adam Benjamin (55) the only player to
make any real headway. In reply Australia's openers, Nick Haydar (80*)
and Brett Wilson (49*), thrashed the ball all over the ground scoring
at more than 10 an over. The rain came down again after 16 overs with
the score on 170/0 and as no further play was possible Australia were
awarded the match for a faster run rate.
[More | Photo Gallery | Scorecard]
Negruk
leads Australia fightback
Eugene Negruk helped Australia to square the Ashes series
scoring 159 of an impressive 362/5 from 40 overs in the rearranged 2nd
of the 5 match series. Negruk and Matthew Horsey (122*) shared a partnership
of 258 after England had taken 2 early wickets. None of the England
bowlers were able to make an impression as the pair struck boundaries
all round the ground. In reply Nathan Foy's 114 gave some hope to England
and he shared a partnership of 109 with Heindrich Swanepoel. But once
Swanepoel was out no-one was able to stay with him and the target proved
too great with the home side all out for 290. [More | Photo Gallery | Scorecard]
Pickup
draws first Ashes blood for England
An unbeaten 71 for man of the match Mark Pickup helped
England to victory in the first of the 5 match series at Bradfield College
on 22nd August. Batting first, England made 299/6 in 38 overs. This
included 12 penalty runs for a slow over rate by Australia. Nathan Foy
(64), Tim Guttridge (48) and Matt Dean (37*) all helped the score. Peter
Robinson took 3/46. In reply Australia were always behind the required
run rate of nearly 8 an over. Nick Haydar made an impressive 96, ably
supported by Matt Housey (76) and Brett Wilson (39) but the tourists
were rarely able to put pressure on the England fielders and ended on
269/9. Adam Benjamin (2/45) and Bryn Reynolds (3/51) were the pick of
the England bowlers. The second match of the series was due to take
place at Lord's but was washed out due to rain. This was rescheduled
for 24th August at Bradfield.
[More | Photo Gallery | Scorecard]
Australia
fly in for Ashes Tour to start on 20th August
The Inaugural Blind Ashes Tour starts on 20th August
at Bradfield College. There will be 5 matches in the series culminating
on the 28th August. England and Australia have not played each other
since 2000. [more]