 England beat India by 104 runs to go 1-0 up in the seven matches ODI series. James Anderson outstanding bowling performance after Ian Bell and Aliastar Cook maiden ODI hundreds help England to beat India by 104 runs in one sided affair.
Earlier Rahul Dravid won the toss and decides to bowl first on a wicket that’s look like batting paradise. Rahul Dravid made this decision by seeing overcast weather and hoping some dampness in the pitch but his decision was looking terrible after 10th over of England inning. England after putting into bat started well by avoiding some anxious moments in the first 10 overs but in the process they lost Mathew Prior who hit one huge six over long off on the bowling of Zaheer Khan but he got Mat Prior out in his next. But it was day of Englands players, especially Ian Bell (126 not out) and Aliastar Cook (102 runs) who scored their maiden ODI hundreds and they put England in commanding position. They put on 178 runs for the second wicket partnership before Cook got out on 102 runs but the platform was set for the rest of England Batsman to follow and did their best to get the total of 287/2 in 50 overs. Indians look pathetic in the field with the bowl and bat, they are truly outplayed by England in all department of the Game. India, however, were off to a terrible start to their run chase as opener Sourav Ganguly was run out in a mix-up with partner Sachin Tendulkar for two, while Gautam Gambhir departed for three after fishing at a James Anderson delivery, leaving the Indians rattled on 19-2. Sachin Tendulkar played some stroke without finding the gaps in the field and he was gain dismissed by James Anderson when he tries to flick him over midwicket but manage to give a simple catch to Ravi Bopara and leaves Indian to 34/3. Yuvraj Singh got out in the same over caught brilliantly in the second slip by Aliastar Cook without troubling the scorer. Now Indians are tattering at 34/4. Now all are up to M.S.Dhoni and Rahul Dravid to guide Indians home safely and they try to reestablish the inning by adding 68 runs for the fifth wicket, however runrate was climbing regularly in each and every over and that’s made Dhoni to hit some shots but he fails to do when he try to hit come back man Andrew Flintoff bouncer over fine leg but manage a simple catch to wicketkeeper. Andrew Flintoff celebrated his return from injury with his wicket for 19. Dimitri Mascarenas then claimed his first ODI wicket when he removed Dravid for 46. Zaheer Khan and Dinesh karthik however hit some lusty blow towards the end but it was not enough and they finally got all out on the last bowl of innings on 184 Dinesh Karthik remained not out on 44. Now England are one up in the series and Indians need to improve in all deortement before second ODI which is also Day/Nigh encounter at Bristol which will be played on 24th of August (Friday). Ian Bell was declared Man of the Match with his brilliant 126 not out. Match Summary England – 287/2 in 50 Overs Ian Bell – 126* Aliastar Cook – 102 Zaheer Khan – 10-1-49-1 R.P Singh – 10-0-49-1 India – 184/10 in 50 Overs Rahul Dravid – 46 D.Karthik – 44* James Anderson– 10-2-23-4 A.Flintoff – 7-0-12-1 |
