England batsmen struggle again

Andrew Strauss
12 April 2012

England look to be heading towards another defeat to finish a forgettable one-day international series against Australia in Perth.

After half-centuries from Adam Voges and David Hussey helped Australia post 279 for seven, an injury-ravaged England were 91 for five after 20 overs.

The chase was immediately undermined with openers Andrew Strauss and Steven Davies dismissed without scoring before a triple strike from Mitchell Johnson left Australia on course to complete a 6-1 series win.

With the series long decided and both side's depleted by injury - Eoin Morgan becoming the sixth England player to fly home earlier today due to a fractured finger - the match had taken on an end-of-season feel.

After an unbeaten 80 from Voges, who was only called up on his home ground after Australia opted to rest Shane Watson and Michael Clarke, and Hussey's run-a-ball 60 helped inspire a challenging total, any intensity in the dead rubber was drawn out by England's early loss of wickets.

Strauss was bowled from the second ball of the innings when he was beaten for pace by Shaun Tait before Davies, who was preferred over World Cup selection Matt Prior with the gloves and at the top of the order, top-edged a pull off Doug Bollinger that Brad Haddin needed only to wait under to hold.

A 43-run stand between Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen briefly held up Australia's charge before Johnson claimed three quick wickets.

Trott (14) edged a rising delivery to Hussey at first slip before Pietersen (26) flapped a wide ball to debutant Jason Krejza at backward point. Johnson struck for the third time when Ian Bell loosely sliced to third man where Tait held the chance.

Earlier, half-centuries from Voges and Hussey, as well as 19 wides, helped Australia recover from a slow start to reach 279 for seven.

The hosts had begun at a plodding pace after Liam Plunkett (two for 49) and James Anderson (three for 48) had claimed the early wickets of Tim Paine (five) and Callum Ferguson (15) respectively.

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