AUSTRALIA v ENGLAND

At Melbourne, January 10 (day/night). Australia won by 3 runs. Toss: Australia. After a mid-order collapse had cost England four wickets in three overs, Bicknell, Fraser and Tufnell almost won them an undeserved entry to the finals on run-rate. Two overs from Rackemann were struck for 26 and Steve Waugh was straight driven for a majestic six by Fraser in the penultimate over. The last, from Alderman, began with England 11 from victory, and ended with Tufnell needing a boundary off the last ball. He swung at it in vain outside off stump. After 38 overs of their innings Australia had been 127 for six, but Healy, who completed a 37-ball 50 off the final delivery, and Steve Waugh added 95 in twelve overs through some inspired running. Australia's victory took them ahead of England in their one-day encounters, by 25 to 24, for the first time since the initial match on the same ground on January 5, 1971.

Man of the Match: I. A. Healy.