Story International Cricket Championship

[m_vaughan]

Yeah thats right. If you see the England openers scored 122 runs between them, and the Indian openers scored 11 runs. The difference hence is 111 runs, and England won by 109 runs.

 

[Bala]

Downright disappointing performance by India. Glad too see Murali Kartik getting some recognition, he rightly deserves.

 

[m_vaughan]

Match 2 Preview

2nd ODI Preview:

India set to make changes
After the 109 run defeat at the hands of England, Indian coach Greg Chapell is certain to make a few changes to the team for the second game in Mumbai. It is believed that Suresh Raina and Gautam Gambhir will play. This could see India drop Mohammad Kaif and either Irfan Pathan or RP Singh. The hosts are almost certain to play with six proper batsmen excluding the wicketkeeper Mahendra Dhoni.

Suresh Raina is expected to play in Mumbai

England happy with batting lineup
Michael Vaughan has said that he is satisfied with this team's batting lineup, and that they wouldnt be sending Kevin Pietersen at number three. England collapsed after a good start in the first game, with no one apart from the two openers getting a decent score.

There is no need for change in the bowling department, after the fine performance in the first game, dismissing India for just 153, and on a good wicket for batting.

The King of Spain was in top form in Kolkata

England coach Duncan Fletcher however feels that the spinners will have a large role to play in Mumbai, as there is a lot of turn expected. Ashley Giles bowled brilliantly in the last game conceding just 27 runs from 10 overs, and picking up a wicket. Ian Blackwell too got a wicket.

The Venue
Mumbai's Wanhkhede Stadium will host the second match between India and England in the first round of the Johnnie Walker Championship. The stadium is home to Sachin Tendulkar and Ajit Agarkar, two of India's premier players.

The Wanhkhede Stadium in Mumbai

England will have fond memories of this ground having beaten India here in 2001 and 1987, the only two previous meetings between the two sides at this venue.

 

[m_vaughan]

Agarkar

Injury rules out Ajit Agarkar

Indian bowler Ajit Agarkar has been sidelined for atleast two months after dislocating his shoulder. Though the exact details are not known yet, it is believed that the dislocation happened after Agarkar made an attempt to take a rather difficult caught and bowled chance.

Agarkar picked up three wickets in the first match

There were even more problems for India when it was revealed that Agarkar's replacement in the squad, Zaheer Khan, too is not fully fit with a calf strain.

Munaf Patel will replace Agarkar in the squad

As a result the BCCI has asked uncapped fast bowler Munaf Patel to join the squad in Mumbai immediately. India play England in the 2nd one day game of the first round tomorrow.

 

[ZoraxDoom]

Munaf Patel!!!!
He'll kill England like in Real Life

 

[gary0808]

England should wim the 2nd ODI after what happened in the first

 

[m_vaughan]

2nd ODI

The Johnnie Walker Premier Division Championship 2006
India vs England
2nd ODI
Mumbai, India

We are in Mumbai for the 2nd ODI game of the Round 1 clash between India and England. England won the first game by 106 runs to take all five points, and took top spot in the championship table.

The home side India are now under a lot of pressure to win this game. Two defeats at home would be a horrible start to the season for Rahul Dravid's team. The visitors on the other hand have confidence on their side and will want to head into the test match with two wins in their belt. All in all this should be a cracker of a game, and hopefully a lot more closer than what we saw at the Eden Gardens.

The Conditions
Well its a hot and bright day here in Mumbai today. Not a cloud in the sky, as blue as it can get. There is a slight breeze blowing at the moment.

The Pitch
The pitch is harder than the one we had at Kolkata, which means some assistance for the bowlers. The England bowlers are capable of generating a lot of bounce, and hence they might be able to cause a few problems for the Indian batsmen. Since it is again a day nighter, batting first would be the better option.

The Toss
England captain Michael Vaughan has won the toss and decided to bat first.

It seems to be a much more sporting wicket than the previous one. Should be a good contest between bat and ball, and like always if we can put up a good target, I believe our bowlers can do a good job in defending it.
We are fielding the same team that played the last game.

I would have batted first but I think we are capable of chasing targets. The last game we dint bat well and hence lost, and today its a good oppurtunity for the players to show an improved performance. If we can bowl as well as we did in the last game and restrict England, then we should be able to chase it down.
We have a few chances. Ajit Agarkar is injured, which is a big blow for us. Also R.P.Singh and Harbhajan Singh are not playing today. Replacing them are Gautam Gambhir, Munaf Patel and Zaheer Khan. We believe this pitch will assist the fast bowlers more than the spinners and hence we decided to go in with three fast bowlers.

The Teams
India
Sachin Tendulkar (Bat)
Virender Sehwag (Bat/Bowl)
Gautam Gambhir (Bat)
Rahul Dravid (Bat)
Yuvraj Singh (Bat/Bowl)
Mohammad Kaif (Bat)
Mahendra Dhoni (WK/Bat)
Irfan Pathan (Bowl/Bat)
Zaheer Khan (Bowl)
Murali Kartik (Bowl)
Munaf Patel (Bowl)

England
Marcus Trescothick (Bat)
Geraint Jones (WK/Bat)
Michael Vaughan (Bat/Bowl)
Andrew Strauss (Bat)
Kevin Pietersen (Bat)
Andrew Flintoff (Bat/Bowl)
Ian Blackwell (Bowl/Bat)
Ashley Giles (Bowl/Bat)
Steve Harmison (Bowl/Bat)
Simon Jones (Bowl)
James Anderson (Bowl)