July 2001 Sport News Headlines

Monday, July 23, 2001 - Web posted at 14:35:55 GMT

Aussies thrash England at Lord's

LONDON - Australia crushed England by eight wickets at Lord's yesterday to take a predictable 2-0 lead in the five-match Ashes series.

Fast bowlers Glenn McGrath, 3-60, and Jason Gillespie, 5-53, bowled in tandem to destroy the spirited England second innings after the host had started positively.

Batting for the second time 214 runs in arrears, England began the day on 163 for four and 51 runs behind.

After adding 25 runs in five overs, Mike Atherton's team again fell apart, losing the last six wickets for 39 runs in the space of 48 balls.

England was finally bowled out for 227 runs leaving Australia to score just 14 to win.

The Australians lost opener Michael Slater and Ricky Ponting, each for four, but Matthew Hayden, six not out and Mark Waugh saw them through to victory in 3,1 overs by reaching 14 for two.

It meant the world test champions were home before lunch on the penultimate day.

It was England's eighth Ashes defeat at Lord's.

The team has failed to beat Australia at the home of cricket since 1934 when it triumphed by an innings and 38 runs.

Gillespie, who came out of the shadow of McGrath with a standout spell, had No.

11 Darren Gough caught by Mark Waugh at second slip to end the innings.

The catch gave Waugh an Australian record 158 catches as he passed former captain Mark Taylor's 157 dismissals.

Playing in his 113th test, Waugh, the 36-year-old twin of skipper Steve, had hit his first century at Lord's, a stylish 108 to provide the backbone of the Australian first innings of 401.

Mark Butcher, who top scored with 83 runs, fell to Gillespie while McGrath, who had taken 5-54 in the first innings, took 3-4 in 10 balls including Alec Stewart and Ian Ward with success balls.

After England had been dismissed for 187, Australia took control of the test by leading by 214 on first innings.

England didn't help its chances with six dropped catches including Adam Gilchrist four times and let the vice-captain take the game away with a forceful 90 runs.

The dropped catches cost 157 runs and the match as it crashed to its third straight defeat, losing also to Pakistan at Old Trafford in the second test in June.

McGrath finished with a match haul of 8-114 while Gillespie took 7-109 to share 15 of the 20 England wickets in the two innings.

- Nampa-Sapa-APA

•  Wacca still rugby mad
•  Garises to launch academy
•  Serena tops Venus in thrilling quarter
•  Cycletec host spring festival at Avis Dam
•  Notices Woestyn calls players
•  Sheikh's £500m City dream team
•  Harambee Stars ready for Warriors
•  Chepela joins SKW