England claims tri-series in an upset victory

England won the triangular one-day series with a 34-run win over Australia in the second final at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday. It marked a spectacular end to their Australian tour, giving England a 2-0 lead in the tri-series. This was England’s second win in the tri-series and their first since 1986-87.

While praising the resolve of the English team, Flintoff said, "It has been unbelievable".

England started off the series as rank outsiders and after their initial poor performances was almost written off by the Australian media. But the English side went on to win the last four games, rebuffing the criticism of Australian coach John Buchanan that the English were not providing enough competition for his boys.

The victory was remarkable, as Australia had never experienced defeat on their home ground since 2001-2002. This was also the first time that the Australians had lost three games in a row. Australian captain Ricky Ponting remarked, "I don't really have any explanations as to why we have played the way that we have the last couple of games. I am really angry and disappointed with the way we let the game slip away down in Melbourne on Friday, and even today I thought that total was really gettable."