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Australia on top as rain intervenes

Eurosport - Sun, 30 Aug 19:57:00 2009

The first Twenty20 international between England and Australia was abandoned at Old Trafford with the tourists in the ascendency before rain intervened.

Cameron White made England pay for a dropped catch, hitting a dashing half-century to see Australia to 145 for four in the first of two Twenty20 matches in Manchester.

Joe Denly, making his international bow in the shortest format, was the culprit, giving White (55) a second life on just 12.

Home captain Paul Collingwood won the toss and opted to bowl, making the most of murky conditions himself to return two for 20.

Shane Watson was first out for 10, lofting a short, sharp Stuart Broad delivery to Ravi Bopara at mid-wicket.

With 43 off the six-over powerplay, England turned to all-rounders Collingwood and Luke Wright, with a risky single off the latter bringing up the Australia 50.

Collingwood soon removed David Warner for 33, trapping him leg before with a ball that gripped off the surface, before picking up a second wicket in three balls.

This time David Hussey was the batsman, following his century against Scotland with a two-ball duck as Matt Prior stumped him charging down the wicket.

Denly's drop at backward point came next, James Anderson the unlucky bowler.

White brought up the 100 with a mighty six into the stands off Broad and there was six more for White as he hit Graeme Swann high over mid-on followed by a third maximum off Ryan Sidebottom to bring up his 50.

Broad returned to account for White, who lifted to Collingwood at cover, with Wright dropping the simplest of catches off the penultimate delivery to gift Adam Voges (nine not out) a life as it began to rain.

England's reply was further delayed due to the weather before the returning Brett Lee (pictured) dismissed Denly for a golden duck in his first over.

Ravi Bopara departed for one run, edging behind tamely to Watson at first slip off the bowling of Mitchell Johnson.

With Australia buoyant, the rain intervened yet again to leave England languishing on 4-2 as the match was finally abandoned.

Dan Quarrell / PA Sport