Englands captain Ben Stokes won the toss and had a difficult decision to make on day 1. Should he field and give the Australians first use of a very good batting wicket or bat in overcast conditions against Australias fearsome pace attack. He chose the latter and may have quickly regretted it.
Ray Lindwall bowled fantastically well, swinging the ball both ways with pace and England were reduced to 121-4 when he came to the crease. Stokes fought back though and hit a fabulous 131* to take England to 293 before they were bowled out. Lindwall starred with 5 for 50.
Sydney Barnes bowled Matthew Hayden with an off cutter as Australia lost an early wicket. Derek Underwood then bowled Arthur Morris and the Aussies were 2 down for 33. When Jimmy Anderson removed the Don, Australia were wobbling on 106-3. Steve Smith and Ricky Ponting then took the game away from England with a fantastic partnership of 183. Both hit centuries as Australia were eventually dismissed for 413. Underwood was the pick of the bowlers, taking 6-77 in almost 35 overs. The Aussies led by 120, a significant lead on a pitch that wasn't expected to last.
Australia took quick wickets as England fell to 75 for 3 and many thought the game may start to move quickly towards a home win. Len Hutton and Kevin Pietersen came together though and batted through till early on day 5 with a partnership of 236. Pietersen hit 152 and Len Hutton 167, taking England to safety. Ben Stokes hit a quick fire 37 not out and England declared at Lunch on 409 for 5, setting Australia 290 to win in 2 sessions.
Barnes bowled Hayden for the 2nd time in the game with the score on 24 but then Bradman and Morris came together and shared a stand of 100 before both captains agreed to end the game as a draw at the start of the last hour.
England go back home next for a match against the West Indies at Trent Bridge. The Australians are travelling for the first time this tournament and head to Kanpur to face India.
England 1st Innings 293-10 (102.3 Ov)
BA Stokes 131*, L Hutton 39, PBH May 36, RR Lindwall 5-50, DK Lillee 2-65
Australia 1st Innings 413-10 (142 Ov)
SPD Smith 162, RT Ponting 114, DG Bradman 56, DL Underwood 6-77, SF Barnes 2-66
England 2nd Innings 409-5 (129 Ov)
L Hutton 167, KP Pietersen 152, BA Stokes 37*, RR Lindwall 2-66, AK Davidson 2-107
Australia 2nd Innings 124-1 (50 Ov)
AR Morris 59*, DG Bradman 47*
Match Drawn
Man of the Match: L Hutton
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