LEEDS, England, 8 July 2005 — Marcus Trescothick’s first One-Day International hundred against Australia guided England to a nine-wicket win at Headingley here yesterday.
Chasing 220 to win, England saw left-handed opener Trescothick erase some of the damage done by previous low scores against the world champions with an unbeaten 104, his tenth century at this level.
England captain Michael Vaughan, looking in his best form of the season, was 59 not out as his side won with four overs to spare for their biggest wickets victory over Australia in a One-Day International.
Trescothick shared stands of 101 with Andrew Strauss and 120 with Vaughan, who finished the match with a pulled four off fast bowler Brett Lee.
Somerset left-hander Trescothick faced 134 balls with one six and eight fours with Vaughan striking seven fours in his 65 balls.
But the result of this first of three-game series owed much to the decision of Vaughan, on his Yorkshire home ground, to field first after winning the toss.
Australia’s innings began under dark clouds at a ground known for assisting swing and cut, which their quicks would have relished. England’s openers, by contrast, started their reply under batsman-friendly blue skies.
“I think the toss was quite important,” Vaughan told reporters after Australia counterpart Ricky Ponting said it would have been a “nice one to win”.
Ponting added: “You know coming here to Headingley that, if there’s a lot of cloud cover, there’s going to be some seam movement.
“They were definitely contrasting conditions. It seemed like Headingley under cloud cover in the first innings and Adelaide in the second.”
Ponting also said Jason Gillespie’s form was a concern after the fast bowler’s, 10 wicketless overs cost 66 runs.
“He’s the guy we have been able to rely on but he’s struggling for line and length at the moment.”
Vaughan meanwhile he was happy with the way his team had responded to tomorrow’s Triangular Series final tie against Australia at Lord’s where England collapsed to 33 for five.
“We learnt a lot from Saturday and this time we didn’t let them back in the game. Paul Collingwood was excellent but we weren’t at our best in the field.”
Earlier medium-pacer Collingwood, who last month against Bangladesh became the first England bowler to take six wickets in a One-Day International, finished with four for 34 as Australia were held to 219 for seven.
Left-hander Michael Hussey’s unbeaten 46 off 52 balls gave Australia a seemingly defendable total.
Earlier, England quick Simon Jones had become the first player to be substituted under the International Cricket Council’s 10-month trial rules for one-day internationals when, after bowling 10 overs, he was replaced by batsman Vikram Solanki.
In reply, England saw both their left-handed openers enjoy lucky breaks.
Strauss, on one, tried to force a cut off Glenn McGrath saw diving wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist drop the low left-handed chance.
And next delivery Trescothick, on five, was caught at third man by McGrath off a no-ball from fast bowler Lee.
Trescothick though found his touch, cutting and flicking Gillespie for two fours in as many balls.
But Australia ‘supersub’ and left-arm wrist spinner Brad Hogg needed just three balls to break a partnership worth 101 and so become the first replacement to take a wicket.
On for Matthew Hayden, Hogg had Strauss caught behind for 41 off a reverse sweep. England were now 101 for one in the 25th over.
In fading light Trescothick, on 81 was fortunate not to be given caught behind off medium-pacer Andrew Symonds, replays suggesting he’d hit the ball with England 150 for one in the 36th over.
However, South Africa umpire Rudi Koertsen rejected the appeal.
Australia, after early problems, saw openers Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden put on 62 against lively new-ball bowling from Gough and Simon Jones.
But, as they’d done in the Triangular Series, Australia lost wickets in groups, their first two going in the space of six runs and the next three in 13. Gilchrist went first when he was caught down the legside by opposing keeper Geraint Jones, for a 51 ball-42 with two sixes and five fours.
Then, six balls later, Australia were 68 for two when Hayden, who spent 47 balls making 17, pulled Andrew Flintoff to Kevin Pietersen at mid-wicket.
Pietersen, running in from the rope, then helped Collingwood snare Australia captain Ricky Ponting (14) with a low catch.
Symonds (six), caught by Trescothick at short third man, and Michael Clarke (two), bowled by the medium-pacer, also fell to Collingwood who then had Damien Martyn caught behind for 43. The second match of the series is due to take place at Lord’s on Sunday with the final game at The Oval on Tuesday.
England have now beaten Australia three times since their arrival, twice in 50 over matches and once in a one-off Twenty20, all morale boosts ahead of the Ashes Tests starting later this month — where Australia will be chasing a ninth successive series win.
