26 January,2011 12:55 PM IST | | AFP
A late flurry helped England capitalise on a century from Jonathan Trott to notch a challenging 299-8 in the fourth one-day international against Australia on Wednesday.
Needing to win the match to stay alive in the series, the tourists were set for a huge score of well over 300 when they brought up their century for the loss of one wicket in the 15th over.
But England, who won the toss and elected to bat, lost their way in the middle order, before a late flourish from Michael Yardy (39 not out) pushed the score to 299.
It was the first time in the seven-match series, which Australia lead 3-0, that the English had batted their full 50 overs.
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Trott (102) led the way with his second ODI century while opener Matt Prior belted 67 from 58 balls.
The pair set England on the path to a huge score when they put on 113 in quick time for the second wicket.
They were helped by poor bowling from Australia's pacemen, with Brett Lee conceding 68 runs from eight overs and Doug Bollinger 55 from nine.
Lee helped the English get off to flyer, his first delivery resulting in five wides as the opening over netted 12 runs for the tourists.
However, the loss of Prior in the 23rd over proved costly.
Prior, who was coming off successive ducks, brought up his 50 with a six off Lee, but fell to Steve Smith in the spinner's second over, top-edging an attempted cut.
The English middle order then failed to keep up the momentum, Kevin Pietersen making just 12 and Ian Bell a duck, the pair both falling within three balls in one Smith over. Smith took 3-33.
Eoin Morgan's indifferent form continued when he fell to part-time spinner David Hussey attempting a reverse sweep for 24.
Hussey bowled just four overs, but picked up 4-21, also removing centurion Trott, who dragged a ball onto his stumps, Paul Collingwood (27) and Ajmal Shahzad (4).
England were forced to leave out spinner Graeme Swann and all-rounder Tim Bresnan, both sent home early because of injury in a bid to have them fit for next month's World Cup.
Swing bowler James Anderson returned for his first game of the series at the expense of youngster Chris Woakes, while Pietersen was recalled for Luke Wright.
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