We can stun the Aussies and win the lot, insists Swann
SPINNER Graeme Swann believes England can exact revenge over Australia in the Champions Trophy tomorrow and claim a first-ever global tournament success.
The Aussies booked a semi-final date with their old foes after clinching a last-ball victory against Pakistan yesterday.
Ricky Ponting’s men will naturally start the more confident of the sides after blazing to a 6-1 victory in the recent ODI series on English soil.
But Swann, whose 5-28 helped England to a four-wicket win the last time the teams last locked horns at the Riverside ten days ago, insists his side are already a different proposition.“The last time we played we did really well,” Swann said. “Since then we’ve played some really positive cricket. We’re going to have to play the same exciting brand of cricket to be successful. And if we do that we can go on and win this trophy.
“It’s the old enemy and whenever England play Australia it’s brilliant to watch and there always seems to be a little bit more in the game.”
Australia set up the clash with England after a scrambled bye on the very last ball ensured a tense two-wicket win against Pakistan. Bowling first on a seam-friendly wicket, Ponting’s men reduced to 205-6 from their 50 overs and looked set for a comfortable victory after Ponting (32) and Mike Hussey (64) guided the Aussies to 140-2 at one stage in reply.
A middle-order collapse, however, led by Mohammad Asif (2-34) and Saeed Ajmal (2-31) set up a tense finale before Brett Lee and Nathan Hauritz saw Australia through at the death.
Victory not only eliminated India despite their seven-wicket win over West Indies at the Wanderers yesterday, but also set up a return to Centurion – a ground where England have already knocked out the hosts.
“We’re happy playing at Centurion because when we do play there our batsmen really express themselves and love batting on that wicket,” Swann added. “The Wanderers is a lot harder to play on.”
Wicketkeeper Matt Prior is expected to train today after missing the last two matches with a virus, while seamer Stuart Broad is to undergo a scan today on a sore left buttock.