England target unbeaten Australian tour
Monday, 13 December 2010
MELBOURNE, Dec 12 (AFP): Wicketkeeper Matt Prior said that England were aiming to go through their Australian tour unbeaten after the tourists ground out a draw in their three-day match with Victoria Sunday.
Set 311 runs to win on the final day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, England were 211 for six off 54 overs when the match was called off as a draw with an hour of scheduled play remaining.
England shut up shop after tea, scoring only 52 runs in 21 overs with Prior finishing unbeaten on 102 and skipper Andrew Strauss on 22 from 65 balls.
The tourists go into the third Ashes Test starting in Perth Thursday holding a 1-0 lead in the five-match series and can retain the urn with a win at the WACA Ground.
Four years ago England were thrashed 5-0 on their Australian Ashes tour, but this time they are undefeated in two Tests and four other first-class games as they set their sights on an unbeaten trip Down Under.
Set 311 runs to win on the final day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, England were 211 for six off 54 overs when the match was called off as a draw with an hour of scheduled play remaining.
England shut up shop after tea, scoring only 52 runs in 21 overs with Prior finishing unbeaten on 102 and skipper Andrew Strauss on 22 from 65 balls.
The tourists go into the third Ashes Test starting in Perth Thursday holding a 1-0 lead in the five-match series and can retain the urn with a win at the WACA Ground.
Four years ago England were thrashed 5-0 on their Australian Ashes tour, but this time they are undefeated in two Tests and four other first-class games as they set their sights on an unbeaten trip Down Under.