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James Faulkner became the new Michael Bevan when he helped Australia perform a great escape act to extend England’s shameful summer of misery.
James Faulkner and Clint McKay guided Australia home last night
Source: AP
JAMES Faulkner’s Gabba heroics set up an incredible come-from-behind victory for the Australians over England on Friday night.
But where does it rate all-time? We take a look at Australia’s highest-ever successful ODI run chases, starting with another crushing win over the Poms three years ago.
8-334 vs England – Sydney, February 2011
The Australians were intent on revenge after a chastening 3-1 Ashes series loss on home soil. A brilliant innings of 137 from Jonathan Trott in the sixth ODI didn’t appear to adhere to that script as England surged to 6-333 from their 50 overs. But the Australians launched a stunning counter offensive. Michael Clarke, Shane Watson and Mitchell Johnson all blazed half centuries as Australia snuck home with four balls to spare.
7-330 vs South Africa – Port Elizabeth, April 2002
The tourists looked to be staring down the barrel after Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis and Jonty Rhodes belted quickfire half centuries to guide South Africa to an imposing 3-326. Adam Gilchrist provided the Australians with a glimmer of hope after opening the innings with a brutal 52 from 34 balls. But it was Ricky Ponting (92 off 107) and Darren Lehmann (91 off 94) who turned hope into reality. Shane Warne hit a boundary to seal the victory with five deliveries remaining.
4-316 vs Pakistan – Lahore, November 1998
Ijaz Ahmed and Yousuf Youhana (later Mohammad Yousuf) blasted centuries to set Australia a world-record equalling victory total. The Aussies made easy work of the chase. Adam Gilchrist (103 off 104) and Ricky Ponting (124 off 129) shared a brilliant 193-run second-wicket stand as the tourists hauled in the total with seven balls to spare and six wickets in hand.
6-304 vs India – Mohali, October 2013
James Faulkner, come on down. The powerful all-rounder cannoned 64 not out from 39 balls to guide the Aussies to a thrilling victory on his first international tour of India. The highlight came in the 48th over when Faulkner clubbed Ishant Sharma for an incredible 30 runs, including four sixes. An over earlier, the Australians were facing a 44-run shortfall with 18 balls remaining. Faulkner didn’t flinch, however, steering the tourists to an electrifying four-wicket victory.
6-302 vs England – Nottingham, September 2009
Ricky Ponting smashed 126 from 109 deliveries and Michael Clarke contributed a vital half century as the Australians overhauled England’s total of 299 at Trent Bridge. Mitchell Johnson and Cameron White provided the late innings pyrotechnics to get the tourists home with 10 balls to spare and four wickets in hand. The result provided he Australians momentary relief from the pain of the preceding 2-1 Ashes series defeat.
9-301 vs England- Brisbane, January 2014
The sixth highest successful run chase in Australian ODI history, but arguably the most gripping. With no batsmen left in the pavilion, Faulkner took it upon himself to salvage what appeared a dire situation. Two towering sixes over midwicket off Ben Stokes in the 49th over gave the Aussies a chance. Three consecutive boundaries to begin the 50th over off Tim Bresnan got them home. Faulkner’s penchant for late innings ODI heroics invited comparisons with Michael Bevan after the game.
Article source: http://www.news.com.au/sport/cricket/six-of-the-best-from-sydney-to-lahore-and-mohali-the-top-aussie-odi-run-chases/story-fndpt0dy-1226804749180
