The Commonwealth Bank Series was the name of the One Day International cricket tournament in Australia for the 2006–07 season. It was a tri-nation series between Australia, England and New Zealand.

2006–07 Commonwealth Bank Series
Part of the English cricket team in Australia in 2006–07
Date12 January 2007 – 11 February 2007
LocationAustralia
ResultWon by England (2–0 in final series)
Player of the seriesRicky Ponting (Aus)
Teams
Australia England New Zealand
Captains
Ricky Ponting Michael Vaughan
Andrew Flintoff
Stephen Fleming
Most runs
Ponting (438)
Hayden (382)
Clarke (268)
Collingwood (379)
Bell (292)
Joyce (288)
Taylor (282)
Vincent (263)
Oram (261)
Most wickets
McGrath (13)
Lee (12)
Bracken (12)
Flintoff (12)
Plunkett (12)
Panesar (9)
Bond (11)
Franklin (10)
Vettori (10)

Australia booked a place in the final after just seven matches in the tournament, and having participated in just five, with five games left to play. The other place in the final came down to the last match of the series as New Zealand and England both had won only 2 games; England won this semi-final of sorts.

England won the final series by two games to nil to lift the trophy, making it their first major one-day tournament win since 1997 and their first Australian tri-series win since 20 years previous, when they also won the Ashes.

Fixtures

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Matches played in the series were as follows:

No. Date Team 1 Team 2 Stadium Location
Group Stage Schedule
1 12 January 2007   AUS   ENG Melbourne Cricket Ground Melbourne
2 14 January 2007   AUS   NZ Bellerive Oval Hobart
3 16 January 2007   ENG   NZ Bellerive Oval Hobart
4 19 January 2007   AUS   ENG The 'Gabba Brisbane
5 21 January 2007   AUS   NZ Sydney Cricket Ground Sydney
6 23 January 2007   ENG   NZ Adelaide Oval Adelaide
7 26 January 2007   AUS   ENG Adelaide Oval Adelaide
8 28 January 2007   AUS   NZ WACA Ground Perth
9 30 January 2007   ENG   NZ WACA Ground Perth
10 2 February 2007   AUS   ENG Sydney Cricket Ground Sydney
11 4 February 2007   AUS   NZ Melbourne Cricket Ground Melbourne
12 6 February 2007   ENG   NZ The 'Gabba Brisbane
Finals Schedule
Final 1 9 February 2007   AUS   ENG Melbourne Cricket Ground Melbourne
Final 2 11 February 2007   AUS   ENG Sydney Cricket Ground Sydney

Squads

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Australia
Name Style Domestic team
Captain and Middle Order Batsman
Ricky Ponting RHB, RM Tasmania
Vice Captain, Opening Batsman Wicketkeeper
Adam Gilchrist LHB Western Australia
Opening Batsman
Matthew Hayden LHB, RM Queensland
Middle Order Batsmen
Michael Hussey LHB, RM Western Australia
Michael Clarke RHB, SLA New South Wales
All-rounders
Andrew Symonds RHB, RFM / ROB Queensland
Shane Watson RHB, RFM New South Wales
Cameron White RHB, LB Victoria
Spin Bowlers
Brad Hogg LHB, SLC West Australia
Fast Bowlers
Nathan Bracken RHB, LFM New South Wales
Stuart Clark RHB, RFM New South Wales
Mitchell Johnson LHB, LFM Queensland
Brett Lee RHB, RF New South Wales
Glenn McGrath RHB, RMF New South Wales
Ben Hilfenhaus RHB, RFM Tasmania
Shaun Tait RHB, RF South Australia
England[1]
Name Style Domestic team
Captain and Opening Batsman
Michael Vaughan RHB, OB Yorkshire
Wicketkeepers
Paul Nixon LHB Leicestershire
Chris Read RHB Nottinghamshire
Opening Batsmen
Mal Loye RHB, OS Lancashire
Andrew Strauss LHB, LM Middlesex
Middle Order Batsmen
Ian Bell RHB, RM Warwickshire
Ravi Bopara RHB, RMF Essex
Ed Joyce LHB, RM Middlesex
Kevin Pietersen RHB, OB Hampshire
All-rounders
Paul Collingwood RHB, RMF Durham
Andrew Flintoff RHB, RF Lancashire
Spin Bowlers
Jamie Dalrymple RHB, OB Middlesex
Monty Panesar LHB, SLA Northamptonshire
Fast Bowlers
James Anderson LHB, RFM Lancashire
Stuart Broad LHB, RFM Leicestershire
Jon Lewis RHB, RMF Gloucestershire
Sajid Mahmood RHB, RFM Lancashire
Liam Plunkett RHB, RFM Durham
Chris Tremlett RHB, RFM Hampshire
New Zealand
Name Style Domestic team
Captain and Middle-Order Batsman
Stephen Fleming LHB Wellington
Wicketkeeper and Opening Batsman
Brendon McCullum RHB Canterbury
Opening Batsman
Nathan Astle RHB, RM Canterbury
Lou Vincent RHB, RM Auckland
Middle Order Batsmen
Peter Fulton RHB, RM Canterbury
Hamish Marshall RHB, RM Northern Districts
Ross Taylor RHB, OB Central Districts
All-rounders
Andre Adams RHB, RFM Auckland
Craig McMillan RHB, RM Canterbury
Jacob Oram LHB, RFM Central Districts
Scott Styris RHB, RM Auckland
Spin Bowlers
Daniel Vettori LHB, SLA Northern Districts
Jeetan Patel RHB, OB Wellington
Fast Bowlers
Shane Bond RHB, RF Canterbury
James Franklin LHB, LFM Wellington
Mark Gillespie RHB, RFM Wellington
Michael Mason RHB, RFM Central Districts

Group stage table

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Commonwealth Bank Series after 12 matches
Pos Team Pld W L T NR BP Pts NRR For Against
1   Australia 8 7 1 0 0 3 31 0.667 1860/355.3 1826/400
2   England 8 3 5 0 0 1 13 −0.608 1655/399.5 1702/358.3
3   New Zealand 8 2 6 0 0 1 9 −0.007 2016/400 2003/396.5
Source: Points table from Cricinfo, retrieved 6 February 2007

Points system

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A win earns 4 points, a tie or no result = 2 points, a bonus = 1 point and a loss = 0 points.

If the team batting first match and restricts its opponents to 80% of its total, it gains a bonus point. If the team batting second wins the match in 40 overs, it gains a bonus point.

A team's run rate will be calculated by reference to the runs scored in an innings divided by the number of overs faced.

In the event of teams finishing on equal points, the right to play in the final will be determined as follows:

  1. The team with the most wins
  2. If still equal, the team with the most wins over the other team(s) who are equal on points and have the same number of wins
  3. If still equal, the team with the most bonus points
  4. If still equal, the team with the highest net run rate[2]

Group stage matches

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Match 1: Australia v England, 12 January

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12 January 2007
14:15 (D/N)
Scorecard
England  
8/242 (50 overs)
v
  Australia
2/246 (45.2 overs)
KP Pietersen 82 (91)
NW Bracken 3/46 [9]
RT Ponting 82* (96)
JWM Dalrymple 1/38 [10]
Australia won by 8 wickets
Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Attendance:79,000[3]
Umpires: IL Howell (SA) and SJA Taufel (Aus)
Player of the match: AC Gilchrist (Aus)

England won the toss and elected to bat. Kevin Pietersen was the only England player to get settled, scoring 82. It was debated whether this effected his dismissal getting out caught playing a big shot, slightly after a Glenn McGrath bouncer which injured Pietersen for the rest of the tour. In the end England scored a mediocre total of 242. The English team's bowling attack couldn't have got to a worse start after Gilchrist and Hayden smashed 16 off the first over. After Hayden and Gilchrist got out, Ponting and Clarke took over both going above 50. Australia cruised to an 8 wicket victory with 5 overs remaining.

Match 2: Australia v New Zealand, 14 January

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14 January 2007
10:00
Scorecard
Australia  
8/289 (50 overs)
v
  New Zealand
184 (38.3 overs)
A Symonds 69 (70)
SE Bond 4/61 [10]
RL Taylor 84 (82)
MG Johnson 2/27 [7]
Australia won by 105 runs
Bellerive Oval, Hobart
Umpires: Asad Rauf (Pak) and DJ Harper (Aus)
Player of the match: A Symonds (Aus)

All of the Australian batsman scored reasonable scores that gave Australia a big first innings total. Shane Bond got a one-day hat trick while cleaning up the tail. New Zealand couldn't chase down Australia, Andrew Symonds named man of the match.

Match 3: England v New Zealand, 16 January

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16 January 2007
10:00
Scorecard
New Zealand  
9/205 (50 overs)
v
  England
7/206 (49.5 overs)
NJ Astle 45 (63)
JM Anderson 4/42 [10]
A Flintoff 72* (75)
JS Patel 2/34 [10]
England won by 3 wickets
Bellerive Oval, Hobart
Umpires: Asad Rauf (Pak) and SJ Davis (Aus)
Player of the match: A Flintoff (Eng)

Man of the match Andrew Flintoff scored 72 and hit the winning run with just one ball remaining to get their first win on tour.

Match 4: Australia v England, 19 January

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19 January 2007
13:15 (D/N)
Scorecard
England  
155 (42 overs)
v
  Australia
6/156 (38.4 overs)
MB Loye 36 (36)
GD McGrath 3/24 [8]
MEK Hussey 46* (73)
J Lewis 4/36 [10]
Australia won by 4 wickets
The Gabba, Brisbane
Umpires: IL Howell (SA) and DJ Harper (Aus)
Player of the match: MEK Hussey (Aus)

England were bowled out for a low score and got early wickets and slowed the run rate to even up the match. Mike Hussey had a controversial decision being not out after nicking a ball to Nixon. He went on to become the man of the match for his 46 including a slog sweep which went for six.

Match 5: Australia v New Zealand, 21 January

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21 January 2007
14:15 (D/N)
Scorecard
New Zealand  
218 (47.4 overs)
v
  Australia
8/224 (48.4 overs)
CD McMillan 89 (87)
SR Clark 4/54 [10]
MJ Clarke 75 (111)
MR Gillespie 2/34 [10]
Australia won by 2 wickets
Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Umpires: Asad Rauf (Pak) and SJA Taufel (Aus)
Player of the match: MJ Clarke (Aus)

Craig McMillan saved the Kiwis from a low score after they had lost early wickets. New Zealand bowled well early with Clarke and Hussey rescuing the Aussies. This was also Nathan Astle's last match, retiring due to poor form.

Match 6: England v New Zealand, 23 January

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23 January 2007
13:45 (D/N)
Scorecard
New Zealand  
210 (50 overs)
v
  England
120 (37.5 overs)
JDP Oram 86 (89)
A Flintoff 4/21 [10]
EC Joyce 47 (70)
DL Vettori 4/24 [9]
New Zealand won by 90 runs
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Umpires: DJ Harper (Aus) and IL Howell (SA)
Player of the match: JDP Oram (NZ)

Match 7: Australia v England, 26 January

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26 January 2007
13:45 (D/N)
Scorecard
England  
110 (34.3 overs)
v
  Australia
1/111 (24.3 overs)
IR Bell 35 (31)
MG Johnson 4/45 [10]
RT Ponting 51* (61)
Australia won by 9 wickets
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Umpires: SJ Davis (Aus) and IL Howell (SA)
Player of the match: MG Johnson (Aus)

England reached a new low bowled out for 110 in what was regarded as their worst performance on tour.

Match 8: Australia v New Zealand, 28 January

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28 January 2007
13:30 (D/N)
Scorecard
Australia  
5/343 (50 overs)
v
  New Zealand
5/335 (50 overs)
ML Hayden 117 (111)
CD McMillan 1/26 [3]
JDP Oram 101* (72)
MJ Clarke 2/48 [9]
Australia won by 8 runs
WACA Ground, Perth
Umpires: Asad Rauf (Pak) and SJA Taufel (Aus)
Player of the match: RT Ponting (Aus)

Hayden and Ponting both smashed hundreds to give Australia a huge first innings score. New Zealand did well chasing, falling just short with Oram also getting a century.

Match 9: England v New Zealand, 30 January

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30 January 2007
13:30 (D/N)
Scorecard
New Zealand  
7/318 (50 overs)
v
  England
8/260 (50 overs)
L Vincent 76 (111)
LE Plunkett 3/54 [9]
EC Joyce 66 (82)
CD McMillan 2/38 [7]
New Zealand won by 58 runs
WACA Ground, Perth
Umpires: Asad Rauf (Pak) and SJ Davis (Aus)
Player of the match: L Vincent (NZ)

Match 10: Australia v England, 2 February

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2 February 2007
14:15 (D/N)
Scorecard
England  
7/292 (50 overs)
v
  Australia
200 (38.5 overs)
EC Joyce 107 (142)
GD McGrath 2/51 [10]
ML Hayden 51 (62)
LE Plunkett 3/23 [9.5]
England won by 92 runs
Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Umpires: DJ Harper (Aus) and IL Howell (SA)
Player of the match: EC Joyce (Eng)

England finally beat Australia with Ed Joyce scoring a 100 as England almost reached 300. Plunkett bowled Gilchrist on the first ball, while Symonds had to retire hurt.

Match 11: Australia v New Zealand, 4 February

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4 February 2007
14:15 (D/N)
Scorecard
New Zealand  
7/290 (50 overs)
v
  Australia
5/291 (48.2 overs)
L Vincent 90 (113)
MJ Clarke 2/45 [9]
RT Ponting 104 (113)
JEC Franklin 2/56 [10]
Australia won by 5 wickets
Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Umpires: Asad Rauf (Pak) and SJ Davis (Aus)
Player of the match: RT Ponting (Aus)

Match 12: England v New Zealand, 6 February

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6 February 2007
13:15 (D/N)
Scorecard
England  
7/270 (50 overs)
v
  New Zealand
8/256 (50 overs)
PD Collingwood 106 (121)
SE Bond 4/46 [10]
SP Fleming 106 (149)
LE Plunkett 3/60 [10]
England won by 14 runs
The Gabba, Brisbane
Umpires: DJ Harper (Aus) and IL Howell (SA)
Player of the match: PD Collingwood (Eng)

Paul Collingwood was back in form getting his first 100 since the Adelaide Test match. The captain Fleming then led from the front scoring a 100 despite controversially running out his partner.

Final series

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First match: Australia vs England, 9 February

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9 February 2007
14:15 (D/N)
Scorecard
Australia  
252 (48.3 overs)
v
  England
6/253 (49.3 overs)
ML Hayden 82 (102)
A Flintoff 3/41 [10]
PD Collingwood 120* (133)
B Lee 3/41 [10]
England won by 4 wickets
Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Umpires: Asad Rauf (Pak) and DJ Harper (Aus)
Player of the match: PD Collingwood (Eng)

Second match: Australia vs England, 11 February

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11 February 2007
14:15 (D/N)
Scorecard
England  
8/246 (50 overs)
v
  Australia
8/152 (27 overs)
PD Collingwood 70 (90)
NW Bracken 2/38 [10]
BJ Hodge 49 (46)
LE Plunkett 3/43 [6]
England won by 34 runs (D/L method)
Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Umpires: SJ Davis (Aus) and IL Howell (SA)
Player of the match: PD Collingwood (Eng)

English achieved slightly above average score, but it was expected Australia should chase it down. However, rain interrupted Australia's innings several times, and the interruptions, the lost wickets, the adjusted target and slow outfield made the required run rate difficult. England ensured victory with further wickets as Australia tried to progress the score. It was a huge victory for England, who had otherwise had a terrible tour and who at the start of the series were playing poor cricket. The defeat of Australia was a significant blow to the reigning world champions, they also lost their next three matches in New Zealand.

References

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  1. ^ "Harmison retires from one-dayers". BBC Sport. 21 December 2006. Retrieved 16 January 2007.
  2. ^ Points table from Cricinfo, retrieved 31 January 2007
  3. ^ Ramus, Daniel (24 January 2010). "CA plays down fears over crowd numbers". The Sydney Morning Herald.
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