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Sidebottom wrecks Aus top-order
Going by reputation Australia were supposed to dominate the proceedings in the final of the World T20 championship against England. However, it was not to be, as England's bowlers came up with a disciplined performance to restrict the Aussies to 147 for six, in Barbados on Sunday.
England skipper Paul Collingwood called correctly and opted to field first. And Ryan Sidebottom began the Australian downfall, picking the dangerous Shane Watson off the third ball of the innings.
Watson (2) got a top edge, which wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter could not hold on but Graeme Swann took the catch off the rebound.
In the next over, a brilliant under-arm throw by Luke Wright found David Warner (2) well short of the crease. Within no time, the Aussies were reduced to eight for three in the third over.
Sidebottom was England's most successful bowler, with two for 26 from his four overs, as they went on to win the match by seven wickets.
White, David Hussey in damage control
The Australians were tottering and there was seemed to be no solution in sight. They scored just 24 runs from the first powerplay six overs.
But worse was still to come as skipper Michael Clarke was the next to go after doing well to add 37 runs with David Hussey. Collingwood took a fine catch at mid-wicket.
It was left to Cameron White and David Hussey to repair the Australian innings; the duo stitched a 50-run partnership from 38 balls for the fifth wicket to take the score nearer the 100 mark.
White and Hussey took 21 runs from the 13th over bowled by Michael Yardy with a six each before the former was out in the 16th over of the bowling of Wright. White holed out to Stuart Broad, who made amends for a futile attempt to dismiss David Hussey in the earlier over by taking a superb catch.
Hussey brothers prop Australia
The dismissal of White brought Hussey brothers David and Michael to the crease and they raised 47 runs from just 22 balls for the sixth wicket before the former was out for 59.
David's innings was studded with two fours and as many sixes.
Michael Hussey, who cracked a 24-ball 60 to help Australia score a sensational victory over Pakistan in the semi-final, remained not out on 17 from 10 balls (2x4).
Apart from Sidebottom, Swann and Wright chipped in with a wicket each to keep the Aussies in check.
Kieswetter stars in England victory
Craig Kieswetter struck a superb 49-ball 63. His innings was studded with seven fours and two sixes as England chased down the target of 148 with three overs to spare.
England made a cautious start in their run chase. They scored just three from the opening over bowled by Dirk Nannes but lost opener Michael Lumb (2) in second over, caught by David Hussey off a rising Shuan Tait delivery.
After the fall of Lumb, Kevin Pietersen joined Kieswetter at the crease and the duo played safe early on.
Pietersen chips in with a valuable contribution
But as the match progressed, both batsmen came into their own and treated the opposition bowling with disdain.
Pietersen played in his trademark style and Kieswetter matched his partner stroke for stroke. A six of a pull shot off Nannes which sailed over the fence behind square was the pick of his strokes.
The duo was particularly severe on Shane Watson, who bled 28 runs in his first two overs which included three fours and a six off the blade of Kieswetter.
Pietersen was out in the 14th with 30 runs adrift of victory, and next over and three runs later Kieswetter departed.
But Paul Collingwood (12 not out) and Eoin Moragn (15 not out) completed the formalities, taking England to 148 for three in 17 overs.
England players rejoice
Kieswetter's match-winning 63 deservedly fetched him the man of the match award.
Pietersen's joy was doubled after he was declared man of the series. He amassed 248 runs from seven matches in the tournament.
By beating Australia in the final today, England won their first ICC event title after finishing runners-up in three 50-over World Cups - in 1979, 1987 and 1992 - and Champions Trophy at home in 2004.
Australia, the reigning 50-over world champions, failed to win the only trophy that has eluded them, after making it to the final of the showpiece event of the slam-bang format in its third edition in the Caribbean.