Australia hurting as they continue to search for answers

Australia were on the receiving end once again as England inflicted their fourth straight defeat on tour by three-wickets in the third game of the NatWest Series at Bristol. Still recovering from the shock loss to cricketing minnows Bangladesh yesterday, England ensured the wounds take a lot longer to heal as they denied the visitors a much needed win on tour.

After posting 252 for victory, Australia looked the favourites at one stage as England skidded to 6 for 160, but an explosive 91 of just 65 balls by South African born Kevin Pietersen gave England a morale boosting victory.

Ponting won the toss and elected to bat despite common belief that the pitch would assist the team batting second. Gilchrist and Hayden began cautiously and were starting to gain control of proceedings as the two openers took Australia to 57 for the first wicket but England put an end to this very quickly.

Steve Harmison (5 for 33), who many believe will be one of England's trump cards in the upcoming Ashes Series, played like one. He broke the back of Australia by dismissing Gilchrist, Ponting and Martyn in the space of 4 balls. His assault continued as Harmison picked up his fourth wicket when he had Hayden cut through point only to be dismissed by a brilliant one handed aerial catch by Collingwood.

At 4 for 63, Australia were in real trouble of being bowled out before the stipulated fifty overs but their only saving grace was that England had to rely on their part time bowling options to make up their fifth bowler. Michael Clarke (45) and Mike Hussey (84) took charge and added a further 105 runs in quick time to put Australia right back into the game. Vaughan would have regretted his decision of bringing himself, Solanki and Collingwood on a bit early, particularly when they had the visitors in all sorts of trouble after Hayden's dismissal.

Clarke's tactics of coming down the track forced the wicketkeeper to the stumps and Lewis struck soon after, as the youngster played one on to his stumps. Hussey and Watson continued the good work, but England's strike bowlers ensured the visitors were restricted to 252.

Most of England's top order got starts but except their captain Vaughan (57), never went on to take control of the run chase. With wickets falling in regular succession and most of England's top order back in the dressing room, Australia clearly had the momentum when they had the captain dismissed when England still required a further 103 runs in the remaining 15 overs. But the star of the day was Kevin Pietersen who smashed 8 fours and 4 sixes in his innings of 91 to take the game away from Australia with 15 balls to spare.

Australia head to Riverside for a day and night encounter with England on Thursday.

Full scorecard available here.

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