Ton-up Joyce books his World Cup place

Middlesex star Ed Joyce made his first century for England when they finally beat Australia in Sydney last Friday.

The Dubliner scored 107 off 142 balls as England notched up 292 in their one-day international to win by 92 runs in Sydney.

Joyce, who plays in the Middlesex County League for Brondesbury, went on to post another decent tally during Tuesday's victory over New Zealand, which has earned England a place in the finals against the Aussies.

The left-hander scored 26 runs against the Black Caps when opening the batting with captain Michael Vaughan, who went out for a duck.

But it could have been very different for Joyce last week - he was almost caught early on at fine leg by Shaun Tait.

"Everyone drops catches and I feel sorry for him but I'm glad I made them pay," said a relieved Joyce.

"I thought I was out, he looked comfortable under it, and I was about to walk off.

"I went through a difficult patch where I was struggling with the heat, but I got some magnesium and drink down me and felt much better.

"I haven't scored a hundred in this heat before and it was a new feeling."

Joyce's century was England's first in seven months and ended a desperate run of nine straight defeats against the Aussies this tour.

He reached three figures off 136 deliveries, scoring 10 boundaries.

On Tuesday, Joyce's Middlesex team-mates Andrew Strauss and Jamie Dalrymple made 55 and 29 respectively to help England to a total of 270-7 off 50 overs.

Strauss, who has struggled for runs, forged an invaluable partnership of 103 with Paul Collingwood, who knocked a personal total of 106.

England's lead looked in trouble as the Kiwis, led by a century from Stephen Fleming, slogged their way back into the match.But they fell 14 runs short of the target - making 256 for eight off their 50 overs.

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