Story England International Season - September 8th, 2007 - India in England

[treva]

Pietersen nears century, putting England in a strong position

England vs India
3rd Natwest ODI
August 27, 2007
Edgbaston, Birmingham

With the run rate at a little under 5 an over, Pietersen and Shah looked to continue in the same fashion over the next few overs. Shah and Pietersen both hit boundaries, before India got their fourth wicket. Shah played forward to a ball bowled by Yuvraj Singh, only for it to strike him on the pad. There was no doubt in the Indians' mind that it was going on to hit the stumps, and after a loud appeal, Billy Doctrove raised his finger.

Shah's dismissal left England at 114/4, needing a strong partnership between Pietersen and the new man in, Paul Collingwood. Pietersen continued to play in an attacking vain, smashing boundaries off all of the spinners. Pietersen had raced to fifty from just 62 balls, hitting a huge six over long-on to bring up his milestone.

At the other end, Collingwood looked to pick up the singles, getting Pietersen at the strikers end. Things were moving along nicely for the England batsmen when India struck twice in quick succession. First to go was Paul Collingwood, who had played well for 28 from 40 deliveries. Piyush Chawla got one to turn sharply, which caught the edge of Collingwood's bat. MS Dhoni managed to hold on to it behind the stumps, leaving Collingwood to walk off, not waiting for the umpire's decision.

With Andrew Flintoff the next man in, it seemed himself and Pietersen may take England past 300. After smashing an early boundary down the ground, Flintoff looked to get quick runs. Yuvraj Singh had other ideas, firing in a quicker ball to Flintoff. Flintoff played defensively, expecting the ball to turn. The ball went straight on, and crashed into the off stump, bringing up India's 6th wicket of the innings.

Dimitri Mascarenhas was England's number 8, the last out-and-out recognised batsmen. He looked to continue the positive mode of attack, playing some crisp shots on his way to 7* from 11 balls. Pietersen had now moved onto 90*, hitting his last 40 runs from just 31 deliveries. With 10 overs left to go, England look to have 300+ in their sights.

 

[Punk_Sk8r]

England in a strong position on this type of wicket. 217 at 40 overs isn't bad at all Pietersen and Dimitri will have to stay in if they want to excel the total though.

Good work, really like your neat presentation style.

 

[Jaztheman]

England have done rather well and Pietersen has excelled and looks on course to get his century, but will he get it? I reckon he'll get about 98, just as it's him. Dimitri can still score high and fast so England get propel their total to a very good toal for the pitch. Going to be an exciting last 10 overs.

Great presentation, Jack. So fresh.

 

[Highlander999]

Good work Jacky boy. Shah is looking a bit white, imo

KP is in good form and needs to hit out in these overs and Dimi and Broad can hit a ball so England should be looking for at least 275. Good work Jack, very good presentation, keep it up

 

[treva]

Shah looks exactly the right colour to me. He's not exactly dark skinned, and if you check compared to the others, he is the darkest of the lot. Anyway, take it up with EA, not me, as he was already in-game

Cheers for the comments guys.

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Pietersen is the saviour for England he does it again and again. Well great innings by KP and England look to be in a good position. Now once KP reaches century he will accelerate and Dimi can score very quick runs so a huge score is still on the cards.

Great Presentation Jack.

 

[Pakistani Army]

England have a solid platform. All Mascarenhas has to do is get the singles and if the bad ball arises, smash it for a boundary. Pietersen must first get to his century and then push on. England should get 300 atleast.

Great works Jack. Fantastic presentation!

 

[treva]

Rain cuts England's innings short

England vs India
3rd Natwest ODI
August 27, 2007
Edgbaston, Birmingham

Pietersen neared his century, looking like he would make it with ease, but before Pietersen had the chance to make his century Mascarenhas was dismissed. A full ball was asking to be driven, and Mascarenhas went for it. RP Singh got the ball to reverse swing and go past the inside of Mascarenhas' bat. The ball cannoned onto the off stump, knocking it out of the ground and sending Mascarenhas back for just 8.

Broad joined Pietersen at the wicket and immediately got the scoreboard ticking over. Pietersen had reached 95, but he wasn't rushing to make his century in one big blow. Out of nowhere Irfan Pathan got a ball to reverse swing, and the swing did for Pietersen as it had for Mascarenhas a few balls before. The ball darted in and smacked Pietersen on the boot. All the Indians went up, and Billy Doctrove had no hesitasion in raising his finger. Pietersen had fallen short of a magnificent century, but the crowd acknowledge the fan knock as the England batsmen walked off for 95.

Not long after Pietersen's dismal, rain started to fill the air. For a few minutes it was just drizzle, but with a sudden gust of wind the rain started to pour down. The umpires had no choice but to go off with England at 235/8 and still 6 overs remaining. Broad was there with 10 from 12 and Sidebottom had made just 2 from 5.

 

[Jaztheman]

Unlucky that the rain came for India but England must be relieved. Every Indian bowler has got a wicket and considering there is 6, that's quite amazing. Hopefully England can get at least 250.

Great presentation Jack, very clean and easy to read. Also the rain looks awesome.

 

[surendar]

I never thought captain has such a low confidence on Pathan to allow him to bowl so low in the order.. he has just bowled 3 overs and gave 20+ runs.. Skipper's attitude towards the rusted Pathan should change to keep the poor bowler high in his confidence level.

Fantastic presentation

 

[Pakistani Army]

A bit unfortunate that Pietersen missed out on his century aswell as the rain. I feel England could have made 250 but chasing 236 on a Wet pitch will be difficult enough.

Great works Treva!

 

[treva]

Back from my holiday down South. Updates should return in the next week...

 

[Roofrom50]

Just came across this story. Good updates loving it so far
Bad luck for Pieterson their not to make his century.
Loving the work, keep it up mate

 

[Manly]

KP weren't out was he? Looks like it was missing leg...

KIU bud.

 

[treva]

Left hander bowling, Ben.