England win thriller to set T20 record

Adelaide, Jan 12 (AFP) Debutant Chris Woakes guidedEngland to a record eighth successive Twenty20 internationalwin as the tourists inflicted more torment on Australia with alast-gasp one-wicket victory at the Adelaide Oval today.

Despite all-rounder Shane Watson''s best efforts tosingle-handedly lift the home side to victory, 21-year-oldWoakes (19 not out) was the hero as he hit the winning runfrom the final ball of the England innings.

After Australia posted 157-4, with Watson top-scoringwith 59 from 31 balls, England wobbled in the chase as Watsonpicked up four wickets, but Woakes'' cool head enabled them toreach 158-9 and snatch the win.

England previously shared the record for most successiveT20 international wins with South Africa and Pakistan and theresult follows hard on the heels of their historic 3-1 Ashestriumph over the embattled Australians.

With wickets falling at the other end, Woakes kept hiscool when he found himself on strike with his side needingthree runs from the last two balls from Watson with only onewicket in hand.

He slashed the next delivery to the cover boundary fortwo, then drove Watson through the infield for what would havebeen a boundary had he and number 11 Ajmal Shahzad notcompleted the winning run first.

Woakes'' innings came after Eoin Morgan put England on thepath to victory with 43, but the match turned when theleft-hander holed out to Watson, who then removed MichaelYardy with the next ball to be on a hat-trick.

Watson could scarcely have done more for the home side,with 4-15 from his four overs after his solo effort with thebat.

The powerful right-hander hit three sixes from the firstthree balls England spinner Graeme Swann bowled and took 26off the over.

But he was bowled by Yardy (2-28) and Australia failed tobuild on the foundation he had provided after being 76-0 aftereight overs.

None of the other Australian batsman looked comfortable,with new captain Cameron White, taking over from MichaelClarke, making just six.

The two teams meet again on Friday at the MCG, beforeplaying a seven-match one-day series. (AFP) SHN