The Crusaders needed 188 runs in 20 overs and they needed a very good partnership from these two openers Ed Joyce and Andrew Strauss. James Anderson was given the new ball for England. Anderson decided to start of with a quick bouncer but Strauss looked aware of it and he hooked it away for four. But it didn't stop there. Next ball went for four wides a poor delivery by Anderson. The third ball was punched of the back foot for four by Strauss. Anderson was at the receiving end and had conceded 13 of the first two balls itself. But the next balls were top class. Wide out the off stump and just coming back in which left a bit of doubt in the batsmen head and these balls were well left by Strauss. Broad shared the attack with Anderson and was very economical in his first over giving away just 5 runs of his over. Anderson was given the ball to continue his spell from the pavilion end and England got the early wicket they needed. A poor communication between the batsman and Ed Joyce was run out. Strauss had just defended a yorker and a single was available as the fielder was on the center but Strauss was not interest in the run and a direct hit from Bell at the non strikers end and Joyce had to go back for 5 of 4 balls and Crusaders were 26/1 as skipper Ed Smith walked in.
Strauss took a quick single to give skipper Smith the strike who got of the mark straight away with a brilliant boundary over the bowler's end. And after that there was a bit of staring done by Anderson. But soon later Smith got of the strike with a chicky single and direct hit could surely would have git the important wicket of Smith. The run rate of the crusaders was brilliant and were going along 10.1 rpo. Anderson conceded 13 runs of his second over which included a lot of twos and threes and just a boundary which the showed the running between the wickets was good between these two. Broad continued from the other end and he was welcomed to the crease with a delightful shot through the covers which raced away for four. Strauss was on a roll. But again sensible cricket by these two batsmen as they scored 10 runs in singles and doubles in the next five balls. The run rate after 4 overs was just over 10 and Crusaders were in a good position if they don't lose any wicket. Anderson was given his third over and straight away there was swing for him but Strauss just touched the ball towards the empty fine leg area and ran two runs. The next ball was sweetly timed for four. Strauss gave the strike to skipper Smith who had just scored 4 runs with a beautiful shot through the covers which dint go all the way for four but the two batsmen ran three runs. But the next ball Anderson trapped Smith leg before and there hesitation the in mid of the umpire and Smith departed for 4 of 5 balls.
I.Botham: Crusaders are ahead of the required runs per over but they have lost two important wickets of Joyce and Smith. These two need to anchor the innings and then go for the big shots if neccessary.
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Middlesex 49/2
A.Strauss 32(20)
E.Joyce run out 5(4)
E.Smith lbw Anderson 4(5)
N.Compton 1(1)
Extras 7
Nice start for the Crusaders.Anderson gave a loads of runs but took the skip's wicket.Thats sad to see England suffering but also Crusaders suffering by losing two important wickets.Good stuff asusual mate.
Nick Compton was the new man in who had got of the mark with a single of the first ball he faced. Stuart Broad while continued from the other end. Compton was struggling to play his natural game and decided to give Strauss who had been at the crease since 5 overs the strike. Strauss and Compton scored 9 runs of the Broad third and final over of his first spell it included a brilliant pulled shot by Strauss which raced away to the boundary beating the fine leg fielder. Steven Harmison was given brought into the attack. Harmison looked dangerous as he was getting the ball to move away from the right handers which made Compton difficult to read him. But Compton hit Harmison for twos and three and kept the score board ticking. Harmison went for 10 in his first over which included a great boundary on the onside scored by Strauss finding the gap between square leg and mid wicket. Broad was replaced by Andrew Flintoff, who also like Harmison got the ball to move away from the right handers. But again Compton and Strauss decided to keep the score board ticking by taking the ones and twos. Flintoff also went for 10 of his first over.
Harmison continued and the pressure was piling on the Crusaders as the boundaries looked to have dried up. Strauss reached his well deserved 50 of just 30 as he flicked the ball of his pads for two runs. The running between the wicket was excellent between these two batsmen. The communication was also good. The boundaries were not coming but they easily scored more than 8 runs per over thanks to their running. Harmison went for 8 in his second over. Flintoff continued to Compton. Compton was not getting his timing right as he edged on toward the short third man and just passed the keeper Prior. Pietersen was doing a great job by encouraging his boys on the field. England could have got the needed break through when Compton mistimed the shot and the ball went straight up in the air but fell just far away from the running mid on. But Compton finally got his first boundary last of the over when he smashed Flintoff through the covers for a four.
N.Hussain: Strauss has reached his well deserved 50 and Crusaders after 10 overs are 93/2. Crusaders are in good position but one or two quick wickets can turn the game completely in England's favour. Middlesex need their settled batsman Strauss to be there at crease for some more time.
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Middlesex 93/2
A.Strauss 58(34)
E.Joyce run out 5(4)
E.Smith lbw Anderson 4(5)
N.Compton 19(17)
Extras 7
The time perhaps had come to accelerate a bit for the Crusaders as they still had 8 wickets in hand and needed 95 in 10 overs. Pietersen decided to make a bowling change and keep Flintoff aside for the slog overs. Samit Patel the allrounder and left arm spinner was given the ball. The field was well spread out to dry out the boundaries. But the two batsmen were clever enough to keep the score board ticking by taking the easy ones and twos. Patel was hit for 8 runs in his first over which included a late cut for four by Nick Compton. Steven Harmison continued from the other end. Harmison had gone for 18 runs in his 2 overs and bowled well in his thrid over. Harmison was able to get some reverse swing on the ball but neither Compton nor Strauss had any difficulty in hitting him for ones and twos all over the park as the field was well spread. Harmison went for 8 runs in his third over. Crusaders were 3 runs short than their required run rate. Patel contiued from the pavilion end. Patel was getting some turn on the ball but it was of no trouble to Compton as he was just hitting all balls for ones and twos. This left right combination was really frustrating the English Team out their. The runs were coming and Crusaders got a good over from Patel in which they scored 11 runs including zero boundaries.
Harmison was given his final over of his spell. He had not bowled at his level best but a wicket here would really be vital. Strauss who had played a vital innings today welcomed Harmsion in his last over with a classic boundary through the covers. This four just showed that Strauss was at his level best today and there was no stopping him. Harmison later comeback well with a fast bounder which hit the helmet of Strauss. Harmison conceded just 3 runs of his last 5 balls and ended his spell with the figures of 0-33. Samit Patel was given his third over and it was quite surprising that Paul Collingwood was not yet brought into the attack. There was long conversation between Samit Patel and skipper Kevin Pietersen about the field positions. There was a change in field point dropped back some 7-8 yards back and the third man was brought in the circle.
It was just brilliant captaincy by Pietersen. Patel gave a flighted ball for Compton who was tempted to go for the big shot but mistimed it and was caught at deep point by Ian bell. Compton departed for 36 of 29 balls. Billy Godleman was the new man in. He git of the mark straight away with a boundary straight over the bowler's head. But again Godleman played some sensible cricket and he 2 twos of the next ball. But Patel came back strong with the one which came back in to the left handers. Godleman was unable to read these two balls which meant Patel conceded 8 runs and took one wicket in his third over.
N.Hussain: That was some great fielding change by Kevin Pietersen. Crusaders are 133/3 after the end of 15 overs. Middlesex still need 55 runs in the last 5 overs and we are heading now towards a exciting finish to this exciting match.
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Middlesex 135/3
A.Strauss 72(47)
E.Joyce run out 5(4)
E.Smith lbw Anderson 4(5)
N.Compton c Bell b Patel 36(29)
B.Godleman 8(5)
Extras 8
This should be an exciting finish like the exciting presentation But, that fielding change is always risky to bring the man from that position to close i.e, inside the circle since the chances of getting boundaries are more by shots like how Sehwag plays
Crusaders needed exactly 11 runs per over from now on to win the game. It was surely this match was gonna go in the last over or probably the last ball of the match. Pietersen decided to bring Flintoff back on and give him a over, over here just to get a breakthrough which would be very vital at the moment. As the field was well spread it was always gonna be difficult to score the boundaries. But Godleman and Strauss decided to do the work with ones and twos. England needed a wicket at this stage to pile pressure on the Crusaders and it did come. Billy Godleman decided to go for a huge one over extra cover but was unable to clear the fielder at the boundary and it was an easy catch for Luke Wright. Godleman departed for 11 of 8 balls. New man in was Eion Morgan. Samit Patel was in his final over and again Strauss welcomed him with two consecutive fours. The first was hit over mid on and the next one was a delicate late cut which beat third man for four.
But Patel finally got the better of Strauss. Strauss was tempted to go for the sweep and he did go for the slog sweep but completely mistimed the shot and got the top edged which was easily caught by Paul Collingwood at deep square leg. A fine innings by Andrew Strauss came to an end. Strauss got an standing ovation as he departed for 88 of 55 balls. Tim Murtagh was the new man in. Patel finished his spell by conceding 12 runs of his final over which included two classic boundaries by Strauss and also the main wicket of Strauss.
Flintoff was given his final over. Flintoff too like Harmison got some reverse swing but the two left handers had no problem what so ever to play it for ones and twos. The boundaries were very difficult to come by. The run rate was increasing and at a stage it had gone over 13 runs per over. Murtagh and Morgan while kept the strike rotating by taking the quick singles here and there. The running between the wickets was top class. Flintoff finished his spell with the figures of 1/37. Stuart Broad was given his last over. Broad bowled brilliantly in his last over of his spell and conceded just 7 runs of his over. He got the ball to pitch in right areas and also got some swing to trouble the batsman.
It had all come to the last over of the game. Crusaaders needed 16 of 6 balls. Pietersen gave the ball to his strike bowler James Anderson. It was all slogging now. Murtagh smashed the ball towards long off and they ran just a single. The next ball was smashed over covers for four by Morgan. Much needed boundary for the Crusaders. The boundary was followed by another boundary this time a lofted shot over mid wicket for four. 7 runs in 3 balls was the required equation. Anderson decided to ball a bouncer but Morgan got something on it and takes a quick single and gave Murtagh the strike. 5th ball Murtgah edges and wide of Prior and beats the third man and its yet another boundary for Crusaders. 2 runs in 1 ball. Tension mounting as Anderson runs in to ball the last ball and bowled him!!! Murtagh is cleaned bowled by a perfect Anderson reverse swinging yorker.
I.Botham: BOWLED HIM!!! England have won a thriller. Anderosn has finally got his second wicket. England win by just 1 runs. What an entertaining match this was as Crusaders never gave up till the final ball. It was a perfect 20/20 match.
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But, that fielding change is always risky to bring the man from that position to close i.e, inside the circle since the chances of getting boundaries are more by shots like how Sehwag plays 
