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

[Pakistani Army]

Another 2 wickets slows the rate for England
(Game coming down to the last 5 overs)​

After the 10 over mark England had made steady progress to reach 62 for the loss of 2 wickets. Phil Mustard and Kevin Pietersen were going very well as they soon reached the 30 run partnership. They were taking on Kiwi Skipper Danial Vettori. Pietersen played his usual slog-sweep and it payed off for a massive 6. At the other end England were struggling to pick the medium pace and occasional off-cutters of Scott Styris. Mustard and Bell were rotating the strike for Styris and attacking Vettori. Vettori was getting a lot of spin off the track. Vettori got one to drift in sharply into Mustard.

With the extra bounce Mustard was expecting the ball to keep a lot lower. However, that was not the case as the ball went straight through the gate and hit the middle-stump. After a hammering, Vettori had got his man. New Zealand had picked up yet another wicket at a crucial stage and that of Mustard who was going along brilliantly. The partnership had now been broken and now the following batsmen coming into bat was the England ODI and T20 captain Paul Collingwood.

He was not in good form either. He had struggled in the recent Test Series with a high score of 28*. Would he get out quickly? The answer was no. Instead Kevin Pietersen the dangerman for England was caught out LBW by Scott Styris.

At the start of Styris' 3rd over he had given away just 5 runs. The pitch was favoring him alot. Eventually, he got the prized wicket of Kevin Pietersen who had been playing very well for his 22. The ball pitched and dipped in. Pietersen was confused and played for the out-swinger. He knew he was out. The Kiwis had took control of the match in a critical stage of the game. It was now 90/4 with just 5 overs left.

Can captain Paul Collingwood and new batsmen Dimitri Mascarenhas get England up to a respectable score?

England :- 90/4 (15)
*P.Collingwood 4(5)
*D.Mascarenhas 2(5)

Last Wickets
K.Pietersen 22
P.Mustard 32
I.Bell 2
A.Cook 26

D.Vettori 4-0-30-1
S.Styris 3-0-10-1
K.Mills 4-0-23-2
C.Martin 4-0-23-0

*Current Partnership 6(8)

 

[Pak_cricketer]

Collingwood will have to lead England if they are to get a good score.

 

[Pakistani Army]

By the way guys:
Guess the score

Winners will recieve vCash

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Kiwis have bowl well to get the top order back to the pavilion..Still feel Colly and Dimi could score some quick runs..

My score prediction is from 145-155

Great Presentation and KUTGW :happy

 

[gamerkid22]

Collingwood should play a quickfire knock if England want a good score on the board.
Awesome presentation mate

Prediction : 125-135

 

[Cricketman]

I reckon about 130.

Collingwood isn't a big hitter, so Dimi will have to do the work.

 

[Jaztheman]

135-145.

Collingwood isn't the best T20 batsman and NZ aren't too shabby. Could be a good innings ending.

Good luck.

 

[w3lshrugby]

England look poor in this match so far.
I reckon 200.

 

[shravi]

England in dire straits at the moment. They're going to require a mature innings from Collingwood and some late fireworks from Mascarenhas.

 

[WORLD CHAMPIONS]

With Maschenrenas still there England can get 140+ .I reckon they will made 147 great presentation Arslaan

 

[Black Magic]

The usual good work :hpraise reps

 

[Karachi Xpress]

England in a little difficult situation right now...I say they are going to get 140-145...

 

[formula1man]

england in alot of trouble, need big innings from colly and dimi. but i predict 112

 

[Pakistani Army]

New Zealand set Target of 128
(Late hitting from Collingwood helped England)​

With 5 overs to go England skipper Paul Collingwood knew that it was time to hit. With Vettori's overs finished he gambled and brought on Peter Fulton. At the other end Styris was causing problems to both batsmen. The plan was to attack the weaker bowler i.e Fulton. Collingwood and Mascarenhas took a valuable 10 runs of Fulton to get the score to 100 after 16 overs.

Paul Collingwood hits inside-out​

Styris continued to bowl from thw other end. Mascarenhas was waiting for the bad ball to arrive from Styris. At the moment Styris was not giving anything away and was keeping a tight line and length. Eventually he lost his line and strayed down leg-side. Mascarenhas known for the big-hitter he is smashed the ball from the middle of the bat as the ball sailed over the boundary. The crowd erupted into a cheer. Styris kicked the turf as he walked back to his mark. The following ball Mascarenhas attempted to do the same thing but this Styris had outfoxed him with the slowerball. Taylor took an easy catch as New Zealand had got yet another wicket. The wickets continued to fall as the batsmen continued to hit out. Vettori had placed all his men on the boundary. Skipper Paul Collingwood was the 9th man out as he attempted to do the same thing. By the end of the Innings England had reached a average total of 127/9.

David Lloyd: England have reached 127/9 after their alloted 20 overs. I think that is not that bad a total as the pitch will deteriorate when the New Zealanders come out to bat. The pitch is still a bowlers one. Let's have a look at the scorecards.

England Batting Card
​

David Lloyd: England had a great start in the first powerplay overs with Cook and Mustard. Both Cook and Mustard looked promising but failed to carry-on their starts. Ian Bell still has not regained his from. Pietersen looked good but yet again another English batsmen failed to capitalize on their starts. Paul Collingwood chipped in with a vital 23 but overall England reached 127/9.

New Zealand Bowling Card​

Ian Smith: New Zealand bowled really well today. Martin and Mills bowled straight. Styris was the pick of the bowlers for me. He really halted the English charge with 2 wickets in his 4 overs. And Peter Fulton picked up 1 wicket.

We will take break and when we come back we will review the England Innings.

*Gamerkid wins the vCash prize* ​

 

[Mad Snake]

some great updates here, love the story