Australia take Transplant Ashes

Great Britain came agonisingly close to a draw that would have seen them retain the Transplant Ashes shield they won in 2006

Australia regained the Transplant Ashes with victory over Great Britain in the one-off two-day Test at Tynemouth Cricket Club.

Kevin Green’s pulsating 152 not out against a depleted bowling attack proved decisive as GB were forced to follow on.

Seventeen-year-old opening batsman Adam Phillips’ rapid 138 made Australia bat again, but they reached a target of 43 with eight wickets and five overs to spare.

The hosts have the chance of revenge in tomorrow’s one-day international at Dulwich CC, for which they have been able to name a stronger side.

GB captain Simon Harris put the visitors into bat on Thursday morning and had them six down at lunch. However, Green dominated a double-century stand with skipper John Wullf that allowed Australia to declare on 408 for seven before the close when Wullf fell for 68.

Harris underpinned a promising reply with 63, but the tail fell away as GB were 99 short of the 308 required to avoid the follow-on.

GB faced the prospect of having to bat out the second afternoon to retain the David Hookes Memorial Shield, named after the late Australia batsman who - upon his death - donated his organs to enable life-saving transplants to take place.

Phillips, who had not scored a senior fifty let alone a hundred, gave the hosts hope, although wickets fell around him.

Australia had 13 overs to reach their target and overcame the loss of a couple of wickets, plus the fear they had batted too long the day before, to claim victory.

A full scorecard can be found here.