Bichel Dashes England's Hopes

Andy Bichel produced an extra-ordinary all-round performance to pull the rug from under England's feet as Australia scraped through toa thrilling two-wicket victory in a World Cup match at St Geroge's Park in PortElizabeth today for a record 12th successive one-day win.

Bichel, a replacement for an injured Jason Gillespie, returned the second-best bowling figures in a World Cup,claiming seven wickets for 20 runs to restrict England to 204 for eight.

When England made a spirited comeback by reducing Australia to a seemingly hopeless 135 for eight, Bichel cameback to haunt the arch-rivals with the bat too, remaining unbeaten on 34 in a crucial ninth wicket stand with top-scorerMichael Bevan which saw the world champions through with two balls to spare.

The result kept Pakistan afloat in the tournament as a victory for England would have meant a certain exit for themeven if they won their last league match against Zimbabwe on Tuesday.

However, the close finish helped England's net run-rate which would come in handy if Pakistan defeat Zimbabwe to forcea three-way tie between them on 12 points. Australia and India have already qualified for the Super Six stage and the thirdspot from the group would be a toss up between Pakistan, Zimbabwe and England.

Bichel's figures were the second best in a World Cup behind 7-15 by teammate Glenn McGrath against Namibia inAustralia's previous match four days ago.

His performance with the ball was in keeping with the tumbling bowling records in this tournament that has also seensix-wicket hauls by India's Ashish Nehra and Sri Lanka's Chaminda Vaas who are now fifth and sixth respectively in theall time list of best bowling performances in a World Cup.

However, Bevan's contribution in Australia's wins was no less crucial. The left-hander, who has scripted many similarinnings, found himself in a familiar setting when he walked out to bat after Andrew Caddick's inspired first spell hadforced Australia on the backfoot at 48 for four in the ninth over.

Bevan produced a trademark knock of 74 not out, hitting six fours and a six, though the 126 balls he took for hisscore was uncharacteristic of him.

He put on 63 runs for the fifth wicket with Darren Lehmann before Australian run-chase got derailed again by theloss of three quick wickets, two of them claimed by left-arm spinner Ashley Giles. 

When Brett Lee was run out at the total of 135, England were smelling a famous victory. But Bichel could do nothingwrong today and he was exactly the batsman Bevan needed at the other end.

The two kept their cool and marched towards the target in a professional manner, their task being made easy by the factthat England had not put enough runs on the board. After surviving a few hiccups in the last over from which Australianeeded just two runs for victory, Bevan hit Andrew Flintoff for a boundary on the fourth ball to take the team's score to208 for eight.

The victory not only saw Australia end their league campaign on an unbeaten note but also gave them an unprecedented 12th successive victory in one-day match.

Earlier, England openers Marcus Tresocthick (37) and Nick Knight (30) gave their team a fine start after captain NasserHussain had elected to bat first on winning the toss.

The openers put on 66 runs in under 10 overs before Bichel rocked the England innings with four quick wickets.McGrath chipped in with the vital wicket of Trescothick as England slumped to 87 for five in the 18th over.

Alec Stewart and Flintoff revived England's hopes with fine knocks of 46 and 45 respectively in a 90-run stand forthe sixth wicket but Bichel returned in his second spell to dismiss both as well as Ashley Giles to complete his sevenwicket haul.

AFP