Australia win after record ODI run chase

Sydney, Feb 2 (AFP) Australia conjured up their biggestever successful run chase to beat England by two wickets in athrilling sixth one-day international at the Sydney CricketGround today.

After a Jonathan Trott century helped England post theirhighest ever ODI score against Australia of 333-6, the homeside batted their way into contention, needing six to win offthe final over with two wickets in hand.

Tailender John Hastings edged a boundary off the seconddelivery from youngster Chris Woakes to hand Australia victorywith four balls to spare, the home side making 334-8.

It was Australia''s record run chase in an ODI andextended their lead over the tourists in the seven-matchseries to 5-1 with one game to play.

Captain Michael Clarke''s late season return to formcontinued as he smashed 82 from 70 balls to lead the unlikelychase, with late support from David Hussey, who made 38.

The match seemed to be England''s to lose with Australianeeding 70 off 48 balls, but the pair took 16 off JamesAnderson''s eighth over -- the 44th of the innings.

They followed it up by notching 14 off Anderson''s ninthas the England bowler went on to finish with a disastrous 91runs from his 10 overs.

Shane Watson, with 51 off 34 balls, got the home side offto a flying start in reply to what had the look of amatch-winning total by England, before falling to the spin ofMichael Yardy.

Mitchell Johnson was promoted to number four and made 57before being stumped from the bowling of Kevin Pietersen,while the recalled Callum Ferguson was run out for 46.

An Australian win seemed unlikely after Trott''s secondcentury of the series helped England post what was also theirhighest ODI score in Australia.

Trott continued his superb series by making 137, takinghis haul for the series to 361 runs at 72.20, the Englishnumber three the leading scorer for either side despite histeam''s indifferent form.

Before falling to the second-last ball of the inningsTrott was offered good support by captain Andrew Strauss, whomade 63 from just 69 balls, and Ian Bell, with 45 from 32deliveries.

Trott, was earlier given out lbw on 82 to Shaun Tait buthanded a reprieve after a review of the decision, reachedtriple figures for the fourth time in ODIs from exactly 100balls, having hit seven boundaries.

In an outstanding game for the England man he took abrilliant catch to remove Brad Haddin (20), and bowled duringthe Australian innings. (AFP) CM