Change in world order as Australia slip from pedestal

Australia lost their world No.1 ranking, had two players charged with misconduct and were facing the prospect of their first home defeat in ...

Australia lost their world No.1 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.


England players appeal in unision against Justin Langer of Australia on the fourth day of the fifth and final Ashes Test in Sydney on Sunday. (Reuters)

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.”

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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 ($1,20) 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. (Reuters)

SCOREBOARD

England (1st Innings): 362
Australia (1st Innings): 363
England (2nd Innings): M Trescothick b Lee 22, M Vaughan lbw Bichel 183, M Butcher c Hayden b MacGill 34, N Hussain c Gilchrist b Lee 72, R Key c Hayden b Lee 14, J Crawley lbw Gillespie 8, A Stewart not out 38, R Dawson c&b Bichel 12, A Caddick c Langer b MacGill 8, M Hoggard b MacGill 0, S Harmison not out 20; Extras (b-9, lb-20, w-2, nb-10): 41
Total (For 9 wkts decl): 452
Fall of wickets: 1-37, 2-124, 3-313, 4-344, 5-345, 6-356, 7-378, 8-407, 9-409.
Bowling: Gillespie 18.3-4-70-1, Lee 31.3-5-132-3, MacGill 41-8-120-3, Bichel 25.3-3-82-2, Martyn 3-1-14-0, Waugh 6-2-5-0.

Australia (2nd Innings): J Langer lbw Caddick 3, M Hayden lbw Hoggard 2, A Bichel batting 49, R Ponting lbw Caddick 11, D Martyn batting 19; Extras (lb-4, w-2, nb-1): 7
Total (For 3 wkts): 91
Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-5, 3-25.
Bowling: Hoggard 5-0-17-1, Caddick 9-0-55-2, Harmison 5-1-13-0, Dawson 1-0-2-0

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Off the track

Gillespie damages elbow
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.

‘England will win final Test’
Fast bowler Andy Caddick says he expects England to beat Australia in the final Test. “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. It’s good that 2002’s gone and we’ve started 2003 on a good note.”

Waugh’s ton earns applause
Australia’s cricket selectors say Steve Waugh is now virtually assured of leading the Test team on the tour of West Indies after his battling century in the final Test. Chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns stopped short of saying Waugh was guaranteed of staying on as captain but said the decision on his future was now up to him, ending any speculation he might be sacked. (Reuters)