Harris helps Aussies level Ashes series with six wicket haul
December 19th, 2010 - 12:37 pm ICT by ANIPerth, Dec. 19 (ANI): Australia levelled the Ashes series through a crushing 267-run victory over England at the WACA ground here on Sunday.
Right-arm South Australian fast bowler Ryan Harris took a Test-best 6 for 47 to humble England. The visitors were blown away in 10 overs on the fourth morning to set up a potentially thrilling conclusion to this series over the Christmas and New Year period.
Harris finished with nine wickets in the match. Left arm fast bowler Mitchell Johnson also claimed nine wickets, signaling a revival of form, both for himself and the Australian cricket team.
Sunday’s win was Australia’s first Test victory in six matches since beating Pakistan at Lord’s.
It gave Ricky Ponting, who didn’t take the field due to a broken little finger, the perfect 36th birthday present and will ease the pressure on him for the time being although he faces a race to be fit for Melbourne.
James Anderson was the first to depart on Sundaywhen he played back to Harris. Ian Bell and Matt Prior were England’s last chance of extending the context, but after a few more elegant cover drives Bell tried to work a straight ball through the leg side and was trapped straight in front. He asked for a review, but it was a hollow gesture.
Two deliveries later Harris had his five when Prior could only fend the ball towards gully where Michael Hussey dived to his right to hold a sharp chance.
Graeme Swann inside-edged a drive at Johnson and the final wicket went to Harris when Steven Finn fended to third slip.
From being 5 for 69 on the first day, for Australia, this has been one of finest Test turnarounds in recent times and they’ll take a huge surge of confidence into the next clash at the MCG.
Despite the margin of victory in Perth for Australia and for England in Adelaidem both teams are closely matched and a classic ending to the series is on the cards.
The scores: Australia 268 (Johnson 62, Hussey 61) and 309 (Hussey 116, Watson 95, Tremlett 5-87) beat England 187 (Bell 53, Strauss 52, Johnson 6-38) and 123 (Harris 6-47) by 267 runs. (ANI)
- Aussies five wickets away from Perth Ashes Test glory - Dec 18, 2010
- WACA curator predicts bouncy Perth track - Jan 09, 2012
- Australia win a thriller against South Africa - Nov 21, 2011
- Tendulkar moves to second spot in Test rankings - Dec 21, 2010
- 'On fire' Johnson dramatically swings Perth Test back in Australia's favour - Dec 17, 2010
- Johnson, Hilfenhaus under threat as Oz recall Bollinger, Harris for Adelaide Ashes Test - Nov 29, 2010
- Pace bowler Harris gives selectors six screeching reasons to pick him for Adelaide - Dec 01, 2010
- West Indies fightback of no avail as Australia win first Test - Apr 12, 2012
- Johnson has potential of becoming Australia's Andrew Flintoff: Geoff Boycott - Dec 20, 2010
- We will be better prepared against Johnson: Pietersen - Dec 22, 2010
- Windies collapse leaves Test against Australia wide open - Apr 11, 2012
- England in command after first day of Perth Ashes Test - Dec 16, 2010
- England in command after first day of Boxing Day Test - Dec 26, 2010
- England a sniff away from retaining Ashes at MCG - Dec 28, 2010
- Sehwag smashes fifty, India 92/2 at tea (Second Lead) - Jan 27, 2012
Tags: australian cricket team, birthday present, first test, gully, james anderson, last chance, leg side, little finger, margin of victory, mcg, michael hussey, mitchell johnson, nine wickets, ponting, right arm, ryan harris, straight ball, test victory, turnarounds, wicket haul