Agencies

Bristol, June 19:

Steve Harmison took a career-best five-wicket haul and Kevin Pietersen blasted 91 not out as Australia crashed to a second consecutive defeat at Bristol. Australia lost out by three wickets as Pietersen’s knock sealed the win for England with 15 balls to spare. Pietersen scored 91 off 65 balls, including eight fours and four sixes. Harmison seemed to have set up victory with

5-33 as Australia were restricted to 252/9. Glenn McGrath led the fightback, taking two early wickets and strangling the England top-order. England needed seven an over off the last 15 to win and 76 off the last 10 as the wickets continued to tumble but Pietersen and Vikram Solanki put on 54 for the seventh wicket.

England suddenly loo-ked favourites until Adam Gilchrist got rid of Solanki, meaning 23 were needed off the last five overs. But Pietersen blasted Gillespie for a straight four, then hammered him over long on next ball as 17 runs came off the over. After Australia had rattled up 57 in 11 overs, Harmison took three wickets in a four-ball burst, and then saw Paul Collingwood complete a catch at point to get rid of Matthew Hayden and make it 63/4. That gave him four wickets for two runs in 15 balls. Mike Hussey top-scored for Australia with 84 off 83 balls, hitting 11 fours and putting on 105 in 20 overs.