Welcome to the highlights of England vs Australia 2nd ODI - 1997 Australia tour of England (Texaco Trophy) 3-match ODI series - The second One-Day International cricket match between England and Australia was played at Kennington Oval, London on May 22, 1997.
Match Overview:
A brilliant unbeaten 113 by captain Michael Atherton and Adam Hollioake's superb unbeaten half-century steers to England convincing six-wicket victory over Australia, despite a masterclass unbeaten century by Michael Bevan and England took an unassailable 2-0 lead to seal the series in the second ODI.
Match Stats:
- Michael Bevan's unbeaten 108 was his highest score for Australia in one-day international and the joint sixth highest-score by an Australian batsman against England in ODIs.
- Michael Bevan became the sixth Australian batsman to score a century against England in ODIs.
- Michael Bevan became the tenth Australian batsman to scored two centuries in ODIs.
- Michael Atherton's unbeaten 113 was his second highest score for England in one-day international and the sixth highest-score by an England batsman against Australia in ODIs.
- Michael Atherton became the ninth England batsman to score a century against Australia in ODIs.
- Michael Atherton became the ninth England batsman to scored two centuries in ODIs.
Match Report:
Michael Atherton, the ultimate pressure player, led from the front at the Oval as England secured an unbeatable 2-0 lead in their one-day series against Australia.
England, who took the opening encounter by six wickets at Headingley on Thursday, won by a similar margin, reaching their target of 250 with 10 balls to spare. The third and final international will be played at Lord's on Sunday.
Atherton, the England captain, hit an unbeaten 113, his second one-day international century, in an effective riposte to the critics who have questioned his place in the one-day squad.
As he had in Leeds, Atherton won the toss and asked Australia to bat on a fine, dry morning.
At first the World Cup finalists threatened to self-destruct when four of their six wickets fell to run-outs through a mixture of careless running and fine throwing.
It was left to Michael Bevan, ably assisted by reserve wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist, to turn the innings round and ensure Australia reached a competitive 249 for six from their 50 overs.
Bevan, top scorer for Australia at Headingley, struck an unbeaten 108 of 129 balls with six fours while Gilchrist looked a particularly effective one-day player during his sprightly 53.
Alec Stewart ensured a brisk start for England after Nick Knight had again departed early, moving his feet crisply to nullify Shane Warne and playing the shot of the day when he moved down the pitch to drive paceman Michael Kasprowicz for four.
When he departed, bowled for 40 off his pads by Warne, Atherton took control, playing with particular fluency square on the off-side.
Adam Hollioake, man-of-the-match at Headingley, lent aggressive support late in the innings with his second successive unbeaten half-century of the series.
He finished the game with consecutive boundaries off Kasprowicz, reaching his 50 with the winning hit.
Atherton is determined to increase the margin to 3-0 at Lord's but remains well aware of the task ahead in the six-test Ashes series.
In-Depth Match Highlights:
Australia scored 249-6 in 50 overs with top scorer by Michael Bevan cracked a career-best unbeaten 108 off 129-balls - which was his 2nd ODI hundred and his first century against England in ODIs - including 6-fours.
Adam Gilchrist struck 53 off 50-balls including 2-fours & a six, Mark Waugh hit a run-a-ball 25-runs including 4-fours and Steve Waugh cracked a 24 off 35-balls contained 3-fours.
England best bowler by Adam Hollioake and Robert Croft both took 1-wickets.
England chase down the target of 250, finishing at 253 for 4 in 48.2 overs with top scorer by Michael Atherton cracked a unbeaten 113 off 149-balls - which was his 2nd ODI hundred and his first century against Australia in ODIs.
Adam Hollioake blasted a unbeaten 53 off 41-balls including 6-fours with strike rate of 129.26, Alec Stewart cracked a run-a-ball 40-runs included six-fours and Graham Lloyd scored 22 off 32-balls contained a boundary.
Australia best bowler by Shane Warne, Michael Bevan, Glenn McGrath and Michael Kasprowicz each took one-wickets.
Michael Atherton named Player of the match for his match-winning captain innings of unbeaten 113-runs knocked off facing 149-balls including 10-fours.
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