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Mighty Aussies face defeat Vaughan hits 183 as England nears fifth-test victoryPosted: Sunday January 05, 2003 10:51 AM
SYDNEY (Reuters) -- Australia lost their world number one ranking, had two players charged with misconduct and were facing the prospect of their first home defeat in more than four years after England took control of the fifth Ashes test on Sunday. Chasing a near-impossible 452 to complete an historic 5-0 series whitewash following Michael Vaughan's masterful 183, Australia crumbled to 25 for three before closing on 91 without further loss after the fourth day at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Pace bowler Andy Caddick trapped Justin Langer for three and Ricky Ponting for 11 while Matthew Hoggard sent a furious Matthew Hayden on his way when he struck him on the pads for two, ending a miserable day for the Australians who lost their world number one ranking to South Africa. "I expect to win this game," a confident Caddick said. "I think it's going to be very difficult to bat on this wicket tomorrow and we've just got to get the ball in the right areas and just be patient." Terrible decision Langer was the victim of a bad umpiring decision, one of many in this match, while Hayden also looked unlucky as Australian frustration began to boil over. Hayden was later fined A$2,200 (US$1,200) for smashing a glass door and wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist was warned for swearing after they were found guilty of breaching the International Cricket Council's Code Of Conduct. Hayden was docked a fifth of his match fee and issued with a severe reprimand after shattering a glass door to the team's dressing room following his dismissal. Gilchrist was given an official reprimand and warned about his future conduct after swearing when an appeal for a catch off tailender Steve Harmison was turned down. After being comprehensively outplayed in the first three tests and also losing the fourth, England's cricketers have played with renewed enthusiasm and determination in the final match in the hope of avoiding the humiliation of their first 5-0 Ashes loss in 83 years. They trailed Australia by one run on the first innings but Vaughan's fine innings out of a team total of 452 for nine declared on Sunday swung the match England's way and allowed them to press for a consolation victory on the final day of an enthralling test. Australia have not lost a test at home since their 12-run defeat to England at Melbourne in December 1998, again after the series had been decided. Although they have a mathematical chance of victory with 361 still required, their best hopes are of batting through the last day to save the match on a rapidly deteriorating pitch. "A win would be a sensational win and a draw, a tough draw, would probably be a very good result for us as well," Australia coach John Buchanan said. "From England's point of view, I think they've got some momentum going into the last day and what we have to do is arrest that momentum and turn it around in our favor. Standing ovation Vaughan left the SCG to a standing ovation after another magnificent display over six-and-a-half hours that featured 27 fours and a six off 279 balls. The Yorkshire opener had begun the day on 113, completing his third hundred of the series the previous day, and continued to plunder runs from an Australian attack badly missing the potency of injured strike bowlers Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne. He shared a 189-run partnership with Nasser Hussain for the third wicket before his captain was dismissed for 72, caught behind off the last ball before lunch. His departure triggered a late collapse with Robert Key (14), Vaughan (183), John Crawley (eight), Richard Dawson (12) and Caddick (eight) falling in quick succession. Vaughan, also the victim of a dubious umpiring decision when given out lbw to Bichel, finished the series with 663 runs at an average of 63.30, including earlier scores of 177 and 145. A cautious Hussain, perhaps more concerned about avoiding a whitewash than winning the game, resisted the temptation to make an early declaration even though no team has ever made more than 276 to win a test batting last in Sydney. He called an end to proceedings with Alec Stewart (38 not out) and a slogging Harmison (20 not out) in full flow. Only eight teams in test history have completed whitewashes over a five-match series. Caddick: England will win Ashes consolationSYDNEY (Reuters) -- Fast bowler Andy Caddick says he expects England to beat Australia in the fifth and final Ashes test after seizing control on Sunday. "I think it's going to be very difficult to bat on this wicket tomorrow and we've just got to get the ball in the right areas and just be patient," he said. "I expect to win this game." Australia slumped to 91 for three chasing an unlikely 452 to win at stumps on the fourth day at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Caddick captured the wickets of Justin Langer and Ricky Ponting to overtake Darren Gough in seventh place on England's list of all-time wicket-takers with 229 scalps. But the 34-year-old shrugged off his personal milestone, saying his only interest was in trying to help England win the game to end an otherwise wretched series on a high note. "It's good that 2002's gone and we've started 2003 on a good note," Caddick said. "Hopefully we can get a win under our belt here, continue that on through the one-dayers and go home with a bit of pride." Australia haven't lost a test at home in more than four years. Coach John Buchanan said his team were still contemplating the chance of winning, despite needing to break a host of batting records. "We'd rather not be three down at this stage but we've got seven wickets in the bank and Damien Martyn and Andy Bichel have put on 60-odd at this stage," Buchanan said. "We're [scoring] around four runs an over so, on the basis that's there 90 overs left and there's 360 runs to go, then obviously the run target is right if we can preserve wickets. "We've got Stephen [Waugh] and Martin Love and Adam Gilchrist...so if we can get to tea time with still the majority of those wickets intact then who knows what the game presents? "But there's a long way to go before we get to that stage." Buchanan said Australia would have to change their gameplan and try and force a draw if they lost early wickets. "A win would be a sensational win and a draw, a tough draw, would probably be a very good result for us as well. "From England's point of view, I think they've got some momentum going into the last day and what we have to do is arrest that momentum. "If we can get it around in our favor then I think there are possibilities that we can create some doubt in the way that England will then go about getting those last few wickets. "But the key to the game for both teams is wickets." Hayden fined for smashing glass door, Gilchrist warnedSYDNEY (Reuters) -- Australia batsman Matthew Hayden was fined A$2,200 (US$1,200) for smashing a glass door and wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist was warned for swearing during the final Ashes test against England on Sunday. Hayden was punished under the International Cricket Council's code of conduct after he shattered a glass panel at the front of the team's dressing room after being controversially given out. The broad-shouldered opener was fined 20 percent of his match fee and given a severe reprimand after a hearing with match referee Wasim Raja. "Matthew Hayden admitted the offence and apologized for his action," Raja said in a statement, adding he had not imposed a maximum penalty of a 50 percent fine because of Hayden's "previously clean record." Earlier, Australia coach John Buchanan had told reporters: "The doors were closed and he just tried to get through the door, which he did, but the glass broke in the ensuing entree. "There was no bat throwing or anything like that. It's something that's unfortunate, but you don't want to see that." Gilchrist escaped a fine but was also issued with a serious reprimand after he admitted swearing after an appeal for a catch off English tailender Steve Harmison was turned down. Gilchrist was warned about his future conduct by Raja. After winning the first four tests, Australia are in danger of losing the final match, finishing the fourth day at 91 for three chasing an improbable 452 for victory. Gillespie damages elbow but will bat in testSYDNEY (Reuters) -- Fast bowler Jason Gillespie will miss Australia's limited-overs match against Sri Lanka next Thursday after injuring his left elbow against England on Sunday but will bat in the test if needed. The lanky paceman fell awkwardly after slipping on the follow-through, forcing him to leave the field. Australia coach John Buchanan said later x-rays had cleared Gillespie of any breaks but there was some ligament damage. Buchanan said Gillespie would miss Australia's next match as a precaution but would be available to bat on the final day of the fifth test with England if needed. "He's getting a final assessment tomorrow and will be available to bat if required," Buchanan said. Gillespie's injury is another blow to Australia who are already missing their two strike bowlers Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne. In Australia's first innings, Gillespie made a valuable, unbeaten 31, sharing a ninth wicket stand of 82 with Adam century-maker Adam Gilchrist.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. |
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