Natwest Challenge: 1st ODI review

By English Cricket
September 3 2004

NatWest Challenge, Trent Bridge: India 170 (43.5 overs) lost to England 171-3 (32.2 overs) by seven wickets. England cruised to an impressive win in the first of their three match series against India at Trent Bridge yesterday.

Natwest Challenge: 1^st ODI Eng v Ind

 

Michael Vaughan would have been most pleased when he won the toss and elected to bowl, given England’s record batting first has been appalling for well over a year. However, he would have had some concerns when India raced to 60 at nearly a run a ball. After the fall of Sehwag to Gough, Ganguly and Laxman set upon the English bowlers, with a mixture of enterprising stroke play and some good old fashioned slogging.

 

In between the boundaries, both Harmison and Gough managed to extract good bounce and pace from the wicket, which suggested that there was at least some life in the pitch. Harmison, certainly caused the Indians some discomfort, and it augurs well for England’s chances in their tour to sub-continent next year.

 

Still it was not Harmison that would cause the early damage, but rather newcomer, Alex Wharf. Wharf’s success came largely from doing the simple things right. His action is uncomplicated, as is his bowling style, which is basically stump to stump with a little bit of movement. He took the wickets of Ganguly, Dravid and Laxman – hardly mugs with the bat, and the type of wickets England will hope that he produces on a regular basis. In a way, he filled a role that Mark Ealham had done so well for England in the late 90’s. One would hope though, that he can make a few more runs then Mark.

 

After the fall of those 3 crucial wickets, India were always going to struggle to post a decent total. A cleverly compiled half-century from Kaif ensured that they passed 150, before Harmison gave India a taste of what England’s opponents in the past year have felt, when he ripped out the last 3 wickets in consecutive balls. It was only the second hat-trick by an Englishman, and another highlight for a year that just gets better and better for the Durham fast bowler.

 

A total of 170 should cause few problems, and some assured batting from England ensured that this was the case. It was helped by a solid batting partnership at the top of the innings that had been missing all year. The partnership of Trescothick and Solanki certainly has a more settled feel to it, and both are naturally gifted stroke players who are not afraid to hit across the line on more than odd occasion. The two of them batting together was a joy to watch, as they showed very little respect for an out-of-form Indian attack. Trescothick mixed his trademark cover drives with the odd sashay down the wicket, as he clipped the ball over midwicket with the utmost ease.

 

His partner though was not to be outdone, Solanki on his third opportunity in English colours, did not disappoint the selectors, as he drove brilliantly straight down the wicket and when the bowlers did pitch short he dispatched them appropriately. His half-century here will at least ensure a place at the top of the order for remainder of the summer, though he will do well to iron some technical flaws, and his shot-selection still remains far from perfect. Nevertheless, an extended run in the top side and a new found confidence might just be what was needed to help England get the best out of Solanki.

 

One player, who England certainly have no trouble getting the best out of, is Andrew Flintoff. Freddie, who had pretty quite day up till then, strolled out at 128-3 with the match just meandering along to its conclusion, but he was never going to let it end in such a fashion. In the space of 23 balls, he managed to dispatch the ball 3 times out of the ground, and once to the ropes. 34 runs in all were plundered, as Flintoff exercised the last rites to India in a most devastating fashion. I doubt if there is anyone in better form than him right now, and the ICC trophy may just be the tournament which launches him on the world stage.

 

Looking ahead to Game 2, it is expected that India will fight back, they have a world class batting line-up and it just needs one or two of them find form to put England in a bit of bother. If England are to turn the corner, they will have to withstand those types of attacks, and more importantly start winning by batting first for a change.