Live - England v Australia

Seventh one-day international, The Riverside:

LIVE TEXT COMMENTARY (all times BST)
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**By Pranav Soneji **

8 overs: Aus 26-2
Another good over from Onions, using the assistance offered by the pitch to keep Clarke earnest. Two singles from the over, but absolutely nothing to clobber.
Paul Grunill, BBC Sport assistant editor, TMS inbox: "Last night I had a dream about this game which ended in controversy when Merv Hughes ran onto the outfield and punched one of the umpires. Should anything like that happen this afternoon I trust the ICC will issue a strongly worded statement of condemnation.“7 overs: Aus 24-2
Loose shot from Ponting, who sneaks a single with a miscued drive which ends up behind square off Anderson. Clarke gets off the mark with a tidy clip through mid-wicket for two but has his heart in his mouth a few balls later as the entire close field contingent go up for an almighty caught behind appeal, but umpire Rauf is once again unmoved. Replays suggest there was no contact with the edge.
Matthew Wright, TMS inbox: Two things here: One - why didn’t we change the team earlier in the series Two - why couldn’t we do this earlier in the series”

6 overs: Aus 21-2
New man Michael Clarke is dangling his rod outside off stump as Graham Onions works up a decent head of steam, completing a maiden as the Aussie vice-captain wisely eschews a quick single to Eoin Morgan at backward point. 5 overs: Aus 21-2
Anderson drops another leg-side clanger, handing Punter another opportunity to glance off his pads for four. Good comeback from the Lancsman, rapping the Aussie captain on the pads offering no stroke as the ball nips back off the seam, but umpire Asad Rauf is not interested as the ball would’ve clearly sailed high over the bails. 4 overs: Aus 17-2
More reasons to celebrate for Graham Onions, who has been named as the Beard Liberation Front’s Hirsute Cricketer of Summer 2009. First winning the adulation of Lily Allen, now this. What’s next A seat on the cabinet

3.4 overs: Aus 17-2 Wicket - Paine ct Prior b Onions **
Paine gets off the mark with a flowing off-drive, but is back in the hutch a few deliveries later, nibbling a fine delivery which holds its line around off stump. That’s Onions’ first one-day wicket too. He’s been in sensational form for Durham, taking 45 wickets at an average of 15 in their County Championship defence. This is England we’re watching in a one-day match, isn’t it
3 overs: Aus 12-1**
Quality strokeplay from Ponting, pushing a high elbow drive through the covers before glancing a leg-side side delivery down beyond fine leg for four. My editor has just pointed out my horrid faux pas the over before - we all know Graham Onions is opening the bowling, rather than experimenting with the off-spin of Graeme Swann with the new cherry.2 overs: Aus 4-1
More encouraging swing for Graham Onions, making his first appearance in an England shirt since the Headingley fourth Test debacle. Ponting shoulders arms to two useful deliveries before punching an attractive stroke through point for three. 1 over: Aus 1-1
Punter shuffles to the crease and squirts the first run of the day past gully down to third man. The overhead conditions suggest England’s seamers should be licking their lips like a cat who has just got the job of nocturnal security at the national cream convention at Earl’s Court.

**0.4 overs: Wicket - Watson ct Swann b Anderson 0 Aus 0-1 **
Beauty first up from Anderson, nibbling off the pitch and whizzing past the edge of Watson’s hefty blade. But he’s gone two balls later to a similar delivery, edging straight into the hands of Graeme Swann stationed at first slip. Ring the bells!1014: Wispy white clouds decorate a cobalt-blue sky as Shane Watson and the seriously impressive Tim Paine walk out just behind England’s fielders. James Anderson to bowl the first over of the day.

1012: It’s a sell-out in Chester-le-Street and the sun is belting down on the faithful, with a couple of patrons already piling into golden liquid refreshment. It reminds me of an episode of Cheers when Norm walks in and orders a beer from Woody, who says: “But isn’t it a little too early for a beer” Norm says: “Ah heck, put a cornflake in it”.1004: Morning you. Yes, it’s almost finished. England have won the toss and will field first at the Riverside. A few changes to tell you about - Graham Onions will make his one-day debut on his home ground while Durham team-mate Paul Collingwood returns. Out go Ryan Sidebottom and Dimitri Mascarenhas. Meanwhile, Ben Hilfenhaus will make his first appearance in an Australia shirt for a month, with Nathan Bracken making way. Michael Clarke and Mitchell Johnson also return, with Callum Ferguson and Peter Siddle sat on the balcony.This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

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