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Summary
England averted a NatWest Series whitewash with a four-wicket triumph over Australia in the seventh one-day international. Spinner Graeme Swann took one-day best figures of 5-28 as Australia were bowled out for 176 after being asked to bat at the Riverside. Chasing a modest target, England looked to be racing to a comfortable victory as Andrew Strauss and Joe Denly compiled an opening stand of 106 - the highest of the series. But Strauss' dismissal for 47 from an ill-advised reverse sweep was followed by a collapse that saw England stumble to 141-5 and had the tourists scenting blood. However, Paul Collingwood (13no) and Tim Bresnan (10no) stood firm to see England across the line with 10 overs to spare. It was relief for England who not only avoided the indignity of a 7-0 reverse, but also found a fraction of form heading into the Champions Trophy in South Africa, which starts on September 22. For Australia, defeat meant their time at the top of the ICC one-day international rankings lasted just three days, after their victory at Trent Bridge on Thursday had lifted them above South Africa.
