EnglandvsNew Zealand Natwest International Twenty20 Live from Old Trafford, Manchester
Twelth Man Pre Game Chat (With David Gower, Ian Botham, Michael Holding and David Lloyd)
David Gower:In the previous month Michael Vaughan's men comprehensively won the Test Series. With the ODI Series just around the corner, it is time to loosen up with a quick and thrilling Twenty20. Hello there and welcome to Twelth Man the pre-match chat of the show. Today we are here for what will hopefully be a thrilling Twenty20 here at Old Trafford. Play is expected to begin in approximately 30-35 minutes time. Accompanying me in the studio are Ian Botham, Michael Holding and David Lloyd. Firstly starting off with you Beefy how have England gone in Twenty20s overall when it first launched.
Ian Botham:Well I have to say it has been quite erratic to be fair with you. Their performance in last years Twenty20 World Cup was poor. The first T20 they played, they hammered the Aussies in 2005 which was a good year for English Cricket. Their previous tour of New Zealand they won both their T20s which was a positive side.
David Lloyd:I think England are going to struggle without Andrew Flintoff because he was the specialist all-rounder a big-hitter of the ball and a accurate and nippy bowler. He needs to recover quickly if he is to play in the Champions Trophy later this year.
David Gower:Onto New Zealand well from what we have seen from the Test Series is that they are a good side.
Michael Holding:But you cannot compare Test Cricket and Twenty20 Cricket. They are two different formats of the game. Speaking about New Zealand, they got to the Semi-Finals of the Twenty20 World Cup. They have the potential to win games. For today's game I think that it certainly should be an entertaining game. New Zealand could be the winners today.
Pitch Report
David Gower:Well right now Michael Atherton is down near the pitch. Athers tell us how the pitch will play today.
Michael Atherton:Thanks David. Well I must say from a far distance I could see that this pitch was very moist and damp. Onto the pitch. Most parts of the pitch are not completely wet but enough to cause uneven bounce. The spinners will play a major part in this as some balls will stay low and turn whilst others will straighten and bounce sharply. Batting will be difficult here. A score in the regions of 140-160 will be plenty. If I won the toss I would definatly bowl first. Back to you David. David Gower:Thanks for that Athers. We have just received conformation that England captain Paul Collingwood has won the toss and elected to bat first. Well from the pitch report that must be quite a bizzare move. Alright well here are the teams for today's game.
England
New Zealand
1) A.Cook
1) R.Taylor
2) P.Mustard (Wk)
2) M.Sinclair
3) I.Bell
3) J.Ryder
4) K.Pietersen
4) J.Marshall
5) P.Collingwood (c)
5) P.Fulton
6) D.Mascarenhas
6) S.Styris
7) L.Wright
7) B.McCullum (Wk)
8) G.Swann
8) J.Oram
9) S.Broad
9) D.Vettori (c)
10) R.Sidebottom
10) K.Mills
11) J.Anderson
11) C.Martin
David Lloyd:For me the dangerman is Kevin Pietersen. If he gets going he will be difficult to control especially in this format. Danial Vettori the captain will play an important role for the bowling department. Both teams have a equal squad. It should be a great contest.
David Gower:Thank you David. Well both both England openers and the New Zealand fielders are out onto the field. That's all from Twelth Man. Now we join in play. In the commentary box is Ian Smith and Ian Botham.
Looking good Arslaan! Will be interesting to see what England can make on this pitch. If they get around 9 an over I think they've got it in the bag. Although McCullum will play a big part in the outcome of the game...
Hmm, I think England should win this match against a pretty average looking New Zealand squad. Great presentation so far. Hope it turns out to be a cracker! Good luck!
Brilliant start Arslaan bhai!Love the presentation and can't wait for T20 to start. It will be really interesting to follow considering there is a real like series of the same teams happening. KUTGW
Home side take control (Cook and Mustard start with a bang!)
The England openers walked out onto the pitch knowing that this game was going to be intensive and that they needed to get off to a good start. Chris Martin who has bowled particularly well during the recent Test Series was going to open the bowling. Cook checked the field before Martin ran up to deliver the first ball. Martin bowled a brilliant opening over and only gave away 3 runs. Next up to bowl was Kyle Mills who was not in form with his bowling. England started to pick Mills off as he was clearly showing he was not in form at all. The loose balls were crashing into the boundary. Martin continued from the other end. Cook and Mustard did not play as aggressively to Martin as he was troubling Mustard. The pitch was starting to trouble the England batsmen as there was uneven bounce.
After 3 overs England were now on 20/0. They were making steady progress. Alistair Cook was on top. Mills started the fourth over. The first ball went about 7 rows back into the stands for Cook's second six. Mills was not bowling very well and Kiwis skipper Vettori had to do something about it.
Martin had only gone for 10 runs in his 2 overs and now he was about to start his 3rd over of his spell. Martin lost his length and the ball went sailing over the boundary rope. A total of 12 runs cam of that Chris Martin over and he has spoilt his economy rate.
Ian Smith:Well Danial Vettori has either got to bring himself on after this over or bring Oram or Styris on because his senior bowlers are not doing a good job. 5 overs have gone, it's 36/0. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
England :- 36/0 (5 Overs) *A.Cook 21(16) 1 Four 2 Sixes
*P.Mustard 13(14) 1 Six
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