Story England's 2008-09 Season : England In India (1st Test, End Of Day 1)

[shantanu_rooney]

Good toss to win and bat first by the Englishmen. I think Broad is a good choice so not a bad team selection. While the Indians side looks great, India have the advantage and hope they make that count.

Great Presentation Arslaan. KUTGW

 

[treva]

Jesus that banner is shocking. Whoever made it doesn't deserve to use a pc.

You little *******

 

[Punk_Sk8r]

Good presentation, nice to see you using the in-game graphics now. Looking forward to this one KUTGW!

 

[Pakistani Army]

RBS Cup
India Vs England
1st Test Day 1, Chennai, 12:36pm

India On A High
(2 Wickets Stun England)​

England openers Andrew Strauss and Alistair Cook emerged from the pavilion into the heat of a packed Chennai stadium. The pressure was on Andrew Strauss due to the fact that he had not scored consistantly and this was his last chance to impress the selectors. Ishant Sharma and Zaheer Khan both were sharing the new ball. Both openers knew that batting would be just a bit difficult early on as both Ishant and Zaheer have the ability to swing the ball.

Strauss faced the first delivery and it gave a clear impression as Ishant banged the ball in. Strauss however was up to the task and casually left it as the crowd went up in a huge roar. When Zaheer came in to bowl, thats when the runs started to dry up. Zaheer was getting a lot of movement off the pitch. Strauss was very lucky to survive as he flashed outside off-stump but luckily for him, the ball did not catch the edge of the bat.

Eventually, England started to play a couple of shots but picked out the fielders. Both Strauss and Cook played cautiously against Zaheer and tried to put away Ishant. Cook and Strauss released a bit of the pressure by smashing 2 boundaries each off Ishant.

Indian Skipper MS Dhoni had amazingly placed Harbhajan SIngh in the silly point position as he and all of the England team knew that he is a talkative character. He replaced Gautam Gambhir as he positioned himself at Third Slip. Sharma was targetting Cook's ribcage. He bowled a sharp bouncer into Cook. Cook decided to paddle it away however, the ball was hit straight at Harbhajan. He fumbled it but then on a second attempt grasped the ball. Cook stood there in disbelief as Harbhajan and the rest of the Indian squad celebrated.

The fall of Alistair Cook's wicket brought in Ian Bell at number 3. He had been in good form against South Africa earlier this year. Unfortunatly for him and England he also departed. Sharma continued to change his length from short to out-swinging pitched up deliveries. Bell nearly fell victim to the trap when Bell flashed outside off-stump. The ball got the outside edge of Bell's bat but fell short of Rahul Dravid at 1st slip.

However Bell initionally departed. Again the short ball helped Ishant get his second wicket in quick sucession. Ishant once again banged the ball hard against the pitch. Bell was already in position to play the shot and it looked as though he would get his first boundary of the match. However, the ball rose sharply and as he has premeditated the shot, he attempted to cut the ball. The ball struck the bottom part of his glove and ricoshayed onto the stumps. At the non-striker's end, Strauss could not believe it as another wicket had fallen in quick sucession. The crowd erupted again as Ishant claimed his second wicket of the morning.

With England under pressure, England captain Kevin Pietersen emerged with England in a spot of bother. MS Dhoni immediatly brought Harbhajan Singh into the attack. Strauss and Pietersen blocked his 5 overs but Pietersen showed his intentions by smashing a six over Harbhajan's head. With India on top in this early stage, both Strauss and Pietersen have to build a partnership as during the next 15 overs, batting will begin to get easier as the ball loses its shine.

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12:36pm
England: 43/2 (1st Innings, 20 Overs)
*A.Strauss 13(54) 2 Fours
*K.Pietersen 10(13) 1 Six
Last Wickets
A.Cook c. Harbhajan b. Sharma 11(28) 2 Fours
I.Bell b. Sharma 5(25)

Zaheer 5-1-9-0
Sharma 10-2-23-2
Harbhajan 5-2-9-0

Over Rate: 12.5 Overs Per Hour
Estimated Overs Remaining: 60

 

[Punk_Sk8r]

Really nice presentation man, great work. England going a bit slow, can't lose anymore wickets, these guys have to bat through the after-lunch session!

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Great presentation man. England in deep trouble. Bell hasnt been in the best form in both stories and real life. Isay drop him. Again KP to the rescue mission on for England. Well done Indians Keep the good bowling up.

Great Presentation Arslaan.

 

[Jaztheman]

England haven't had the best start ever and will need to count on the middle and lower order to get them some important runs. Cook was unlucky to get out as Singh fumbled it but he caught it in the end which counts. Strauss and Pietersen need to play their own game now and try and get settled, for Englands sake.

Great presentation as per normal, Arslaan.

 

[Karachi Xpress]

England really need a good partnership to have a chance in this match. Bell wasn't really too good. Only if Pietersen bats really well and gets them out of trouble!!

Nice stuff!! Good presentation!!

 

[treva]

England struggling, and they need a big partnership now. Anything less than 350 is below par on a wicket like this. Hopefully Pietersen will lift the run rate also.

 

[WORLD CHAMPIONS]

England is in backfoot by loosing thsoe 2 wickets. KP on the other hand is in same aggresive position. Strauss and KP has to support each other and take England out of the mess. Ishant sharma once again giving the english batmen a tough time. Great presentation Arslaan

 

[Ollie_H]

England are on the back foot after losing those two wickets but with KP and Straussy there you would think they could take england up to a big score. Top work mate!

 

[Pakistani Army]

RBS Cup
India Vs England
1st Test Day 1, Chennai, Lunch Break 1:10pm

Captain Pietersen Dpearts
(Strauss Battling Hard)​

Andrew Strauss and England captain Kevin Pietersen seemed to be moving along at a steady pace as things seemed to settle for Strauss and Pietersen. Pietersen continued in his defensive yet aggressive manner flicking Harbhajan for 2 fours along Mid-Off. However, his aggressive batting was to become his downfall.

Indian captain MS Dhoni continued to operate with his 2 current bowlers bowling well in Sharma and Harbhajan. Harbhajan started his 7th over. Harbhajan was getting plenty of turn despite there being no rough. Pietersen casually defended the first 4 off-spinners. However, Harbhajan tried his luck with a Doosra. Pietersen did not pick it and attempted to smash the ball through the covers. Unfortunatly for him, the Doosra had worked for Harbhajan as an edge was found. Gautam Gambhir at 1st slip took his second catch of the match as the Indians celebrated the wicket of the England captain.

This brought in Paul Collingwood at number 5. He was under more pressure than Ian Bell and if he was to get out for 5 or less, then England would be in deep deep trouble heading into the Lunch Interval. The talisman at the other end was opener Andrew Strauss. He had played confidently but also watched wickets fall at the other end. With Collingwood under pressure, Strauss told Collingwood to block for 2 overs before the Lunch Interval.

Strauss had played a watchful Innings from the start of the Innings. MS Dhoni brought in part-time spinner Yuvraj Singh in order to get a wicket of either Strauss or Collingwood before the Lunch Interval. The gamble did not pay off for Dhoni as Strauss recognised Yuvraj as a part-timer. Struass did not hesitate in going over the top despite their being plenty of spin. Yuvraj pitched the ball up on leg-stump and going with the spin, Strauss flicked it away for his first six of the Innings. Strauss and Collingwood negiotated the two overs before umpire Steve Bucknor removed the bails and called the Lunch Interval.


It has to be said that the Morning Session has been won by the Indians as they continuely mounted the pressure on England. The only positive for England is that Andrew Strauss is there unbeaten on 27.

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England: 66/3 (27 Overs, Day 1, 1:10pm, Lunch Break)
*A.Strauss 27(74) 4 Fours, 1 Six
*P.Collingwood 0(10)
Last Wickets
K.Pietersen c. Gambhir b. Harbhajan 18(25) 2 Fours, 1 Six

Zaheer 6-1-13-0
Sharma 11-2-27-2
Harbhajan 8-3-17-1
Yuvraj 2-0-6-0

Over Rate: 12.47
Estimated Overs Left Today: 58

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Big blow for England as KP departs. Strauss needs to say there and score. 7 overs 23 runs have been good. Colly and Strauss need to get the partnership now or else england in trouble. Indians doing great. Ishant and Bhajji have bowled great and Zak has been superb too.

Great presentation as usual Arslaan. KUTGW

 

[surendar]

One good and long partnership is what England needed. It can be done by the art of staying patience and spending more time at the crease

And have to tell about the presentation.. It's magnificent The template which you maintain is very neat .. And ya, it does remind me about my own story that ESPN-Starsports ... captions.. and those headings.. everything is superb :hpraise

 

[Pakistani Army]

One good and long partnership is what England needed. It can be done by the art of staying patience and spending more time at the crease

And have to tell about the presentation.. It's magnificent The template which you maintain is very neat .. And ya, it does remind me about my own story that ESPN-Starsports ... captions.. and those headings.. everything is superb :hpraise

Its an honour hearing those words from you Suren AKA "The Legend." You have inspired many stories here on PlanetCricket and I would not be in this position today if you did not start your legendary story.