OZ PILE ON THE PLANE!

AUSSIE rookie Tim Paine heaped more agony on England with a maiden one- day international ton at Trent Bridge.

Wicketkeeper Paine showed his magic with the bat as the tourists hit 296 in last night’s NatWest Series clash.

England, without the injured Stuart Broad, produced a  spirited  fi elding display as they set out to avoid going 6-0 down in the series.

But they were left reeling by Paine’s big hitting.

Andrew Strauss’ team hit 299 at Trent Bridge in the fi fth one-day clash two days ago, which the Aussies chased down with four wickets to spare.

But yesterday’s wicket was tougher to bat on.

Broad’s absence with a sore knee is a worry ahead of next week’s Champions Trophy in South Africa.

England bosses insist the young all-rounder will be fi t to face Sri Lanka in Johannesburg next Friday although he will definitely not play at Durham in the final match of this series on Sunday.

England doctor Nick Pierce said:  “Stuart has had a niggling injury to his right knee for some time which had been manageable and until recently had not led to him missing any cricket.

“This ongoing niggle, a tendinopathy, or inflammation to the tendon, has  recently flared.

“This requires rest and, as a result, Stuart won’t be avail- able for England’s final two matches of the NatWest Series.

“We expect Stuart to play a full part in the forthcoming ICC Champions Trophy,  after which  he will under- take a strengthening programme prior to England’s tour of South Africa.”

But Luke Wright’s chances of playing are less certain.

The Sussex star needed stitches in his foot after a bowling machine  accident on Monday.

Dimi Mascarenhas and Jimmy Anderson played yesterday ahead of the injured pair.

And Graeme Swann returned to the side in place of  Adil Rashid.

Anderson was the pick of England’s bowlers with 4-55 from 10 hostile overs.

And the Lancashire paceman joined Ian Botham in joint third place on  England’s all-time one-day wicket- takers with 145 .

Anderson reduced  Australia to 40-2 in the ninth over when he had Ricky Ponting caught by Ryan Sidebottom in the deep.

But Paine and Mike Hussey built a 163-run partnership to show England’s batsmen how it’s done.

Swann eventually got Hussey out for 65 and Mascarenhas dismissed Paine for 111 from 148 balls.

But Cameron White smashed 35 from 23 balls and James Hopes,  playing in place of Michael Clarke, hit 38 from 22 as the Aussies fi nished on 296-8.

England’s reply got off to the worst possible start when they lost in-form skipper Strauss to a shocking decision from the second ball of the innings.

Brett Lee pitched short and struck Strauss on the shoulder.

But umpire Asad Rauf deemed it had hit his glove on its way through to Paine.

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