England V India - 1st Odi - Delhi

[Easa]

Starts at 3:30 G.M.T.

India v England, 1st ODI, Delhi

Flintoff backs England against Indian juggernaut

Siddhartha Vaidyanathan in Delhi

March 27, 2006

http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/inline/content/current/image/240568.jpg?alt=1

It must be an exciting time to be Andrew Flintoff. Around a month ago he was handed the captaincy; last week he inspired his bunch of boys to a most unlikely series-levelling win; few days back he flew back home and savoured the moment with his newly-born son, who he "hadn't seen for a while, in fact never". Now he's back, for the first of the seven-match one-day series, to the same venue where, in January 2002, he was "shot".

England's last game at the Feroz Shah Kotla was a cliffhanger, one where they sneaked home by two runs. The reason why the game is remembered, though, is because of Flintoff's startling remarks in his book, Being Freddie: "I felt something hit me and, looking down, saw pellets on the ground. You expect to have plastic bottles thrown at you when you are playing on the subcontinent, but you don't expect to be shot ... I think I should have made more of a stand because I wasn't there to be shot at."

He was shot again today, in fact several hundred times. This time it was by an army of over-enthusiastic photographers, trying to get as many pictures of him and Dravid unveiling the TVS Cup. He couldn't control smirking at the passion on show, as the photographers nudged, shoved and howled. Later, sporting a refreshingly relaxed air, he settled down to address the press and said he wasn't going to break his head over crowd troubles - "We have other things to worry about than think of what happened four years ago" - and hoped his side would show the same ability to scrap against the odds - "What English cricket is all about".

Last Saturday, as Flintoff was back home "feeding the baby", Matt Prior and Ian Bell warmed themselves up with fine half-centuries in the practice game at Jaipur. Both could find a place in the starting XI tomorrow but it would be the explosive skills of Kevin Pietersen and Flintoff - "impact players," as Dravid called them - that could win the day.

Statistically, though, England are up against huge odds. Their last overseas one-day series win, if one excludes Zimbabwe and Bangladesh, came way back in December 1997, when Adam Hollioke led a group of tyros to victory in Sharjah. India, on the other hand, are on a red-hot one-day streak, with thumping victories over Sri Lanka and Pakistan intercepted by a drawn rubber against South Africa. They have hunted down targets like panthers on a prowl, 13 successful run-chases in a row , and possess a flexibility that serves them in a crisis.

Munaf Patel's bruised heel during practice may rule him out of the game but India now have a medium-pace pool to pick from. Sreesanth's skid, Ajit Agarkar's nip and Rudra Pratap Singh's discomforting lift blended beautifully in Pakistan. Vitally, they were backed up by innovative captaincy and an off-side cordon - Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Kaif and Suresh Raina - that resembled a gymnastic crew. Something happens to India when they play one-dayers these days. It will take a mighty effort to stop this juggernaut. But again, Flintoff may well turn out to be that superhuman force.

India (probable) 1 Virender Sehwag, 2 Gautam Gambhir, 3 Rahul Dravid (capt), 4 Yuvraj Singh, 5 Mohammad Kaif, 6 Suresh Raina, 7 Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wk), 8 Irfan Pathan, 9 Ajit Agarkar, 10 Harbhajan Singh, 11 Sreesanth

England (probable) 1 Matt Prior, 2 Ian Bell, 3 Andrew Strauss, 4 Kevin Pietersen, 5 Andrew Flintoff, 6 Paul Collingwood, 7 Geraint Jones (wk), 8 Ian Blackwell, 9 Liam Plunkett, 10 Kabir Ali, 11 James Anderson.

Siddhartha Vaidyanathan is staff writer of Cricinfo

© Cricinfo

[infamous9383]

Indian batting looking a little thin for some reason.

[Rob H]

Kabir Ali ahead of Hoggard. Your having a laugh. I've got a feeling India will thrash us in this game. We just don't have the one day experience like they do. If we're going to have any chance then Pietersen or Flintoff needs to put a big innings in.

[BAADSHAH]

the world cup is only about a year away - this series is going to be very important for both sides - it should be really interesting
as long as england can get early wickets - they have a good chance of winning
because if they let sehwag run riot in the first 15 overs - the game may be out of their hands
but even still - as rob h said - if pietersen or flintoff put sum big innings in - shud be very competitive

[Billy]

Bell opening with Strauss at three? I hope not.

[z10]

england's bowling looks very weak

[Billy]

It looks ok to me considering we're missing 3 of our usual 5 bowlers.

Flintoff, Anderson and Mahmood would be my choices to lead the attack with Ali as the bowler who can bat and Blackwell as the spinner. As it is one would probably expect Hoggard to play in place of Mahmood given his good form at the moment but I am still very mistrustful of Hoggard playing one day internationals.

Only one of Jones and Prior should play.

My team would be something along the lines of..

Prior+
Strauss
Shah
Pietersen
Bell
Flintoff*
Collingwood
Blackwell
Ali
Mahmood
Anderson

[Amir]

I have always maintained that STruass should be at four for ODIS. That is where he has performed best for them and they should continue with him there and Micheal Vaughan should open when he is there. However, Strauss at 4 in my opinion.

I think if England win the toss, despite the conditions, bowl first. I do not think they have the expierence to set and defend a target, meanwhile India's last 13 wins have come in a chase. They could not even defend 328 against PAkistan.

[XFactor]

Suresh Raina & Kaif looked to be in very good nick in the warm up game. i have a feeling they will play an important role in the series.

[Waheed_one]

At the End it all boils down to How KP and Flintoff plays.....

Shewag is just Sub-cont. bowler bully........

[HAFRIDI]

I hope Sajid Mahmood/Kabir Ali/Shah do well

If they do play together that would be amazing!

3 players with pak roots, would it be some sort of record?:P

[spindoctor]

M J Prior, A J Strauss, O A Shah, K P Pietersen, P D Collingwood, A Flintoff, G O Jones, I D Blackwell, L E Plunkett, Kabir Ali, J M Anderson

Does Hoggard not play one dayers usually for England? Being an in-form bowler, they could have had him in the team!

[cavin420]

india bat

nearly a wicket too anderson on the very first ball
1 run non the lss
india are away

[cavin420]

4444444444
sehwag
5 for0

batting paradise!

[Waheed_one]

Sehwag....... with in two over will be out. never mind he is Mathew's " Bunny".

[Waheed_one]

44444444444444444

[cavin420]

only indians can make such run feast pitches seriously............

15 for 0

2 overs....

[Waheed_one]

Paw! left and right hook combo!

[jusarrived]

only indians can make such run feast pitches seriously............

15 for 0

2 overs....

yeah right,even a 400+ score was chased here recently :P

[cavin420]

outtttttttttttttt
sehwaggggggggg
waheed you were spot on!!

[spindoctor]

The super-subs are removed from the game. Do the powerplays still come into play?

[cavin420]

17 for 1

anderson gets sehwag
dravid comes out
and good morning my dear ol enemy :P

[cavin420]

The super-subs are removed from the game. Do the powerplays still come into play?
yes, power plays still remain part of the game......................

[Waheed_one]

Sehwag....... with in two over will be out. never mind he is Mathew's " Bunny".

what did i say?

[cavin420]

outtttttttttttttt
sehwaggggggggg
waheed you were spot on!!
and what did i say???????

kabir ali bowling beautifully bowled a maiden..
17 for 1

[cavin420]

catch droppeddddddddd eazyyyyyyyyyyyyy by owais shah
unlucky kabir aliu :(

[cavin420]

that should have been taken by shah with eyes closed...hes a class slipper but dropping dravid means game set n match to india (i hope not!

[jusarrived]

17 for 1

anderson gets sehwag
dravid comes out
and good morning my dear ol enemy :P

shewag seams to be in the worst form of his career!

enemy? that hurts! :P

[jusarrived]

catch droppeddddddddd eazyyyyyyyyyyyyy by owais shah
unlucky kabir aliu :(

pak roots givin a new dimension to eng fielding :D

[Waheed_one]

England fielding like Pak?

[whyhkk]

kabir ali has some good speed upper 80s

[cavin420]

shewag seams to be in the worst form of his career!

enemy? that hurts! :P
dont worry i still follow the rule, keep your friends close but enemies closer (lucky you ehh :P



and waheed both shah and kabir ali......(pakistani roots) i blv still hold pakistani natiionaltiz (dual holders unlike india ;-)

[jusarrived]

looks like our man is on fire today!
Go Dravid! Go india!

[cavin420]

England fielding like Pak?
more like british pakistani players fielding like they know how best too :D


wow what a ripper beats dravid anerason , dravid doesnt look comffortable here....although runs flowing

39 for 1
6.3 overs

[Waheed_one]

Dravid scoring more run in boundries????....I am surprised he didn't sent in Pathan or Dohni for attack????

[lahori]

Funny how this ODI takes top place on cricinfo and the Pak vs SL test match is reduced to a micro headline.

[lakha84]

Funny how this ODI takes top place on cricinfo and the Pak vs SL test match is reduced to a micro headline.

yeah exactly and in engalnd vs india ma favorite non pakistani player is bowling FLINTOFF

[lakha84]

Outtttttt
Kabir Ali Strikes
Yugraj Goneeeeeeeeeeeee

[jusarrived]

kaif runout too! :12:
68/4

cant belive i have been banned in an indian forum,though i don remb postin anything about ganguly or tendu lately :20:

[Pathan007]

kaif runout too! :12:
68/4

cant belive i have been banned in an indian forum,though i don remb postin anything about ganguly or tendu lately :20:Abe ko paisey do. unban ker dey ga

[Cartman]

i know mods will probably have my behind for this since im the quintessential anti indian but jeeeez.. how do u indians even show ur face if u get whooped in odis too.. it doesnt look too good right now.. man oh man.... talk about major butt whooping.

[Tupac]

i know mods will probably have my behind for this since im the quintessential anti indian but jeeeez.. how do u indians even show ur face if u get whooped in odis too.. it doesnt look too good right now.. man oh man.... talk about major butt whooping.

kinda the same way you got the nerve to show up after creating a thread about kicking bharati behind and then you getting whooped 4-1

[Cartman]

last time i checked Indians went back home with their behinds in a duffel bag... but then cried themselves to sleep saying oh well they only beat us after 15-16 years.

[Cartman]

now plunkett gets dravid.... i wonder if indians are going to make plunkett the next glen mcgrath here.

[Waheed_one]

now plunkett gets dravid.... i wonder if indians are going to make plunkett the next glen mcgrath here.


Not He still has 16 years to go before awarded Grawth but do have ponteinals

[jusarrived]

now plunkett gets dravid.... i wonder if indians are going to make plunkett the next glen mcgrath here.

don get your hopes high..our batting starts now...dhoni ,bajji n our main hope sreesanth still to come :D

[Waheed_one]

don get your hopes high..our batting starts now...dhoni ,bajji n our main hope sreesanth still to come :D


Dhoni: Max he'll Play is five over.........He is Sub-cont. bowlers bully.

[Oxy]

Lovely drive for 4 - Ind fight back?

[Oxy]

Another gorgeous drive for 4 by Raina.

100-5

[Oxy]

Just seen the wickets - what a beauty to get bowl Dravid!

[Oxy]

...and Plunkett getting some good pace @ 86 mph

[Oxy]

I think Ind will comfortably get 250+ on this pitch.

[jusarrived]

good to see raina not throw his wikt away..hes known as an attacking player..refreshing to see a 19yr old havin good temparment!

[Waheed_one]

I think Ind will comfortably get 250+ on this pitch.



would it be enough?

[Oxy]

would it be enough?

Ave score on this ground is 249, so I think YES.

[Oxy]

Raina gone.

Ind 138-6

[Waheed_one]

Dhoni i 5 over max

[Asim2Good]

latest scores plz

[Swaraj!!]

185/7 in 44 overs
Bhajji 31(41)
Dhoni 10(20)

[Swaraj!!]

Just got a very apt comment from one of the chat lines.....
India is the most important cricketing country in World Cricket :)
It is like an hospital.....anyone from other teams out of form regain form after playing India
It is like an institution.....So many so-so players become stars after coming to India....Panesar, Anderson, Plunkett and now Kabir Ali. Not to forget the age old records here.

Guys dont worry, if you want your players to regain form just set up one more series with India immediately.

[Easa]

Kabir Ali took four wickets.

India - 203 AO

[Swaraj!!]

I am just wondering if it is worth staying up to see the rest of the match.
England with their experience of 20-20 cricket should be able to overtake this within 35 overs even with bits and pieces cricketers.

[Oxy]

I am just wondering if it is worth staying up to see the rest of the match.
England with their experience of 20-20 cricket should be able to overtake this within 35 overs even with bits and pieces cricketers.I would nt think so - Ind arent the 'get out of jail' merchants.

Harbhajan top scoring - what next???

[James]

Harbhajan top scoring with 37 :))) :))) :))) :)))

Solid bowling display, as long as we dont lose early wickets in the chase we should be ok. Flintoff's captaincy just gets better and better.

[Swaraj!!]

As I said Whippy.....India is an Institution of Cricket.....Another great Captain graduates with full honours.

[Billy]

Flintoff and Anderson were below their best, Ali and Plunkett flickered between precision and puddin' head but I guess with Ian Blackwell's fine spell and India's self destructive batting it didn't matter too much.

Not that we'll win, England can't chase more 150 without imploding.

Especially with that batting lineup.

[Swaraj!!]

Flintoff and Anderson were below their best, Ali and Plunkett flickered between precision and puddin' head but I guess with Ian Blackwell's fine spell and India's self destructive batting it didn't matter too much.

Not that we'll win, England can't chase more 150 without imploding.

Especially with that batting lineup.

Are you trying to "Not Jinx" the team by these statements mate. England has never looked like a team to get out that cheap, even when they were not winning.

BTW.....

"Not that we'll win, England can't chase more 150 without imploding."

AMEN ;)

[James]

With no Tresco, our ODI run chases this series will be hit and miss. A lot rests on the shoulders of Flintoff and Pietersen, one is in superb form the other not so; and I guess you just have to rely on those two doing something. I personally am confident, the ball has run for us in this match.

[Oxy]

England are 'King of the Kollapse' so Ind is in with a chance ONLY if Eng implode! Cant see Ind winning this (although nothing to stop Eng from losing it!)

[Billy]

Well to be fair we usually win the first match in these things before the real troubles start but I can't help thinking we're a batsman short.

We're basically only playing 4 specialist batsman for no apparent reason. I understand that Fletcher wants Jones' keeping to get as much of a work out as is possible but if Prior makes the team solely as a batsman then he should keep. It's not like he's totally part time, he nearly always keeps wicket for Sussex now.

[James]

In ODIs, England's batting is either world class or awful. The result of this match depends on which one they are gonna pull out of the hat today.

[Billy]

Look familiar? (http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2005-06/ENG_IN_PAK/SCORECARDS/ENG_PAK_ODI4_19DEC2005.html)

[James]

And specialist batters are in short supply, but we have a very short tail...everyone 1 down til 10 can bat. There has to be a compromise somewhere in one dayers.

[James]

Hahahaha. Same old story?

0-1

[Easa]

0-1

Strauss gone, caught behind.

[Swaraj!!]

In that case...the best would be to take an aggressive approach.....I mean get the runs before the bowlers catch up with you.....:)

With just 204 needed it shouldnt be that tough. IF however they decide to play watchfully I feel they might just be making a mistake.

[Billy]

No real surprises there.

[Easa]

Owais Shah in, 16th match for him.

[Easa]

Cut away for four, what a shot by Shah.

[James]

Excellent shot by Shah!

[James]

4-2

And KP comes in to score a hundred...!!

[Easa]

Out!!

Shah gone LBW, WAS PLUMB.

[Swaraj!!]

Uh.....

[James]

:( On the plus side, that's 4 less to win...for the loss of 2 wickets!

Erm...

[Easa]

Kevin P in.

[Easa]

:( On the plus side, that's 4 less to win...for the loss of 2 wickets!

Erm...

:)))

[Swaraj!!]

Damn....I really wanted to go to sleep. Now England will keep tantalising me till the very end. Sometimes the Ozzies do have their good points....atleast you get some sleep

[James]

To be fair the 2 balls from Pathan were pretty good. At least its not as bad as 2 knobhead shots to throw your wickets away.

[James]

4 runs, unconvincing shot from Prior.

[Asim2Good]

As soon as India takes 2 wickets, cricinfo update starts again.
otherwise, update for ODI match were not available :))) :)))

[James]

KP survives another good Pathan over.

[Swaraj!!]

Too bad I have got a cold......Easatheman ....cant you smell another wicket for me :)

[Easa]

Too bad I have got a cold......Easatheman ....cant you smell another wicket for me :)

I want to smell some runs... :D

[Swaraj!!]

Thought I'd just try.....well, youve got some runs now.

[Billy]

What odds on KP trying to flick off his pads and getting out LBW to Pathan here?

[Asim2Good]

if Eng can survive new ball and 1st spell of RP Singh, then they can win easily as there is no 5th bowler for India and that ll kill them badly in this low scoring game.

[nafajafam]

Great shots by Pieterson. Little risky playing towards the onside to Pathan but he is taking good strides down the wicket.

[Swaraj!!]

Not Much......I think he has played himself in now.....he will get out only if he does something stupid.....Pathan is good only in the first few overs

[Oxy]

4 stunning boundaries by KP - looking in great touch. Deano laying into Pathan's 'medium pacers'

[James]

KP looks ridiculously good here.

[nafajafam]

Harbajan into the attack now. Pieterson might try to up the scoring rate here.

[Billy]

"KP looks ridiculously good here."

He'll get out next ball if you keep saying that.

Pathan's short balls have to be very accurate if he wants to stop KP from coming down the pitch. This is a man who charged a Jason Gillespie bouncer and hit it for six.

[James]

Prior gone, got overexcited there. Boooooooo.

[nafajafam]

Prior goes to a good catch by UV.

[Billy]

Prior played a daft shot there, still he's shown that he can keep his head near the start. Give that man the gloves.

[James]

At least he's worked out better as an opener than the Geraint Jones Comedy Experience.

[aggarwald]

KP looks ridiculously good here.

India have made 100 runs short today. Ground is ridiculously small and outfield equally fast, where one needs to just beat the fielder to get a boundary. And a mishit can land in the stands for a six. Gotta give it to England for another magnificent bowling display. The delivery which got Dravid out was a beauty. Blackwell choked batsmen ("Indians are good players of spin" - this myth was shattered today).

England, you deserve to win today.

[nafajafam]

Prior may be better than Jones, but he didnt look comfortable during his stay.

[Oxy]

Poor shot by Prior - was under no pressure to play such a shot.

In comes the 'Beast with Brains' :D to bat

[James]

Hopefully the Fat Man continues his superb form.

[James]

Lovely 4 from Pietersen again.

[nafajafam]

Great shot, down the wicket and driven straight down the ground for a 4.

[nafajafam]

Strauss needs to get among the runs soon.

[James]

Agreed about Strauss. One hundred can't cover up load sof failures since the Ashes, at least in my view. Tresco and Cook will be opening the innings soon (at least in tests) if Strauss doesn't get consistent again.

[nafajafam]

Yes, that would be good. I don't see Prior as a permenant opening prospect. Ideally I would like Strauss and Tresco to open. Havent seen Cook play, so cannot comment. He did good to score a century on debut though.

[Asim2Good]

wat's latest score guys :)

[aggarwald]

wat's latest score guys :)

Can someone update the scores regularly? Cricinfo is ridiculously slow.

[Oxy]

94-3 off 17 overs
r/r: 5.53 (reqd r/r: 3.33)

[Asim2Good]

Thanks Oxy :)

[Oxy]

Ok guys _ i'll try some ball-by-ball

98-3

Flintoff looking good as well

[Uzzy]

Meh i got bored with the Pak and SL game so i decided to join you guys here instead. England are in a good position here to win this.

[Oxy]

I'm really beginning to like Srinaths commentary - he has such a 'soothing' voice. Shame about Bootha Botham though!

99-3 off 18

KP -45*
FF - 24*

[Oxy]

Meh i got bored with the Pak and SL game so i decided to join you guys here instead. England are in a good position here to win this.
Check you r PMs Uzzy.

[Oxy]

Sreesanth comes into the attack (4-0-23-0)

[Oxy]

...and immediately lures FF into a false shot. Nearly took a wkt!

[Uzzy]

Srinath? Soothing voice??. Lol. I really hate this pair commentating. I dont know who i hate more. Srinath or Bootha. Actually when i think about it Srinath is not as bad as Botham.

[shan]

6666666666

[Oxy]

..HUGE 6 by FF!

One of the most effortless sixes you will ever see!

105-3

[shan]

4444444444444

109-3

[Oxy]

And a agreat drive for 4

Freddie on Fire

50 partnership off 40 balls.

Ind falling apart

[shan]

another 6666666666666

115-3

[Oxy]

...followed by a massive 6 out of the ground.

Sreesant smashed for 14 in that comeback over.

[Pakola]

awesome flintoff.
yuvraj in now to induce a mistake.

[Pakola]

whoa! he does. excellent captaincy by dravid and commentary by ME

[Asim2Good]

..HUGE 6 by FF!

One of the most effortless sixes you will ever see!

105-3

thank for updates Oxy :)

he hit efoortless 6Kumble or Bhajji in 3rd test as well, he makes it look easy.
also KP need to score 112 today to bcome fastest to 1,000 ODI runs and if he reach in next game, he ll equal it to Viv Richards

[Uzzy]

Flintoff gone!

[Easa]

Plumb.

[Oxy]

Geriant Jones GONE - Bowled

120-6

[Oxy]

Like I said earlier - no one matches Eng's collapsing potential!

[Uzzy]

Like I said earlier - no one matches Eng's collapsing potential!

:O Not even Pakistan?

[Oxy]

:O Not even Pakistan?
No where near Eng in this respect.

Yuvraj has 2 appeals turned down. Good umpiring (think its Asad Rauf)

[Oxy]

I think Eng will capitulate to 146 all out

[Oxy]

Harbhajan has a 'near plumb' lbw turned down - and Blackwell then tonks next one for 4

124-6

[UJ]

Not too long ago Eng were easy money favourites to win this game!!!

What a collapse!!!!!!!!

[Asim2Good]

Raul Dravid should bring RP Singh/Pathan here for spell of 2/3 overs if he wants to win

[Oxy]

137-7

Apologies to the Ind fan who I said should get some sleep as Eng would win this no probs!

[Oxy]

GREAT GREAT GREAT CATCH by Kaif!

141-8 !!!
5fer for H Singh

[Oxy]

Indias fielding has been phenomenal today. The catch by Gambhir on the boundary was also stunning.

[Oxy]

Billy/Whippy - where are you guys?

142-9

What a turnaround!!! Never thought India were capable of pulling victory from jaws of defeat (usually the opposite!)

[Oxy]

I think Eng will capitulate to 146 all out :21:

[pakistani pride]

Oxy Dont Get 2 Excited . . . . . . . .

[Asim2Good]

poor display from England
from 117/3 to 142/9
gr8 fight back from India

[aggarwald]

:21:

Right on the money pal.

But its more of poor batting from English than good bowling from India.

[Swaraj!!]

Still....Anderson is no bunny with the bat.....tons of balls left

[Uzzy]

Just need 43 more runs to win. Attainable? I will leave it to you.

[aggarwald]

Just need 43 more runs to win. Attainable? I will leave it to you.

Absolutely right. Its not over yet.

[Oxy]

Indias bowling doesnt deserve victory.

Englands batting doesnt deserve victory.

Indias FIELDING does deserve a victory.

[MIB]

we have won the game!!!

[Oxy]

INDIA WIN

Eng: 164 all out

5 ODI wins in a row.

World Cup Favourites 2007.

Bring back Ganguly

Inzi and Bob Woolmer for the sack

Murali is a chucker

[Swaraj!!]

Good One Oxy......

[Easa]

India win.

Harby takes 5 wickets.

[Swaraj!!]

On the risk of being lynched....I wish we'd lost.....at least some changes would have been brought in. Because the truth is our batting is rotten right now. But now no one will mess with a winning combination :(

But then again (call me an idiot) I am ecstatic we won....though I cannot imagine how. As Oxy said, fielding did it. I can remember two matches now decided totally by fielding. This one and then there was the one in which SL beat Aussies in the recent tour.

[Swaraj!!]

I guess today was the reason why Bhajji was in the team for so long. Sigh!!!

[Oxy]

On the risk of being lynched....I wish we'd lost.....at least some changes would have been brought in. .

Sometimes losing is good - esp if it prevent complacency. I dont see too much wrong with Ind's ODI squad though.

[invincible]

On the risk of being lynched....I wish we'd lost.....at least some changes would have been brought in. Because the truth is our batting is rotten right now. But now no one will mess with a winning combination :(

But then again (call me an idiot) I am ecstatic we won....though I cannot imagine how. As Oxy said, fielding did it. I can remember two matches now decided totally by fielding. This one and then there was the one in which SL beat Aussies in the recent tour.
Dont forget Ind (vs) Saffies in the champions trophy ... still cant forget those 2 brilliant catches by Yuvi

[aggarwald]

I guess today was the reason why Bhajji was in the team for so long. Sigh!!!

He got turn and bounce today, another instance where he made maximum use of a helpful wicket.

He needs to be chucked out of the test team though.

[invincible]

He got turn and bounce today, another instance where he made maximum use of a helpful wicket.

He needs to be chucked out of the test team though.
dont see many potential spinners in the country ... so, we might as well stick with him

[Oxy]

Is Kumble not considered for ODIs?

[aggarwald]

Sometimes losing is good - esp if it prevent complacency. I dont see too much wrong with Ind's ODI squad though.

I agree with the first statement. But not with the 2nd. India is a mediocre team, whose batting is highly overrated where they can't play good fast bowling with bounce and seam (no matter brown or green wicket) and also can't play good spin bowling. In short, we are a straight -knee high length-not so fast-not so much spin ball bully. As far as India's bowling goes, well, need I say anything.

[Tupac]

He got turn and bounce today, another instance where he made maximum use of a helpful wicket.

He needs to be chucked out of the test team though.

are you honestly an indian?

[Oxy]

I thought H Singh bowled siuperbly today....hasnt bowled like that in a long long time.

[F16]

Congrats to India for the spectacular win . Congrats specifically to Harbhajan for scoring 36 ( the highest score in Indian batting line up today ) and taking 5 wickets . Once again India's fielding decided the victor as none of the catches were dropped and the fielders gave their life in defending a very small total of 204 .

[Oxy]

Is it getting to the stage that Kaif could play solely for his fielding - and any runs are a bonus?

[invincible]

I agree with the first statement. But not with the 2nd. India is a mediocre team, whose batting is highly overrated where they can't play good fast bowling with bounce and seam (no matter brown or green wicket) and also can't play good spin bowling. In short, we are a straight -knee high length-not so fast-not so much spin ball bully. As far as India's bowling goes, well, need I say anything.
seriously, how much cricketing knowledge do you have ??? :20:

even in recent times, Indian batting line up have time and again proved that they can tackle the pitches that assist the bowlers (3rd ODI pakistan, couple of ODI's against RSA) ... what all you said about batting is the exact opposite of what the truth is ...

they are a mediocre team once in a while ... but most of the times, they deliver the goods ... i know its possible to get carried away with your opinion when you see so many posts / threads around in the forum which bash at indian's batting line-up ... but, what you have said is just over the board mate ...

[Oxy]

(Calm down Ind fans - I think you guys just won :D )

[aggarwald]

are you honestly an indian?

Why, An Indian can't speak the truth? Can't he believe his own eyes and ears and do an independent analysis rather than believe everything that the Indian Cricket Hype Machine dishes out?

[Swaraj!!]

Implode seems to be the key word here :)

I would rather we "implode" in this forum than out on the field....bring it on guys

[invincible]

Is it getting to the stage that Kaif could play solely for his fielding - and any runs are a bonus?
You cant judge him basing on today's performance ... he deserves a place in the squad for his fielding as well as holding the innings together by rotating the strike, and stepping up the gears everynow and then ... he makes the indian batting line-up complete ... off-late his form has been a bit disastrous but i am sure dravid will stick with him coz dravid is one captain who thinks and knows that every player has a bad patch ... he said that soooooo many times in sooooooo many interviews regarding bhajji, sehwag, tendulkar etc.

[UJ]

Good win for India

Its a game that Eng should've won considering the position they were in

[aggarwald]

seriously, how much cricketing knowledge do you have ??? :20:

even in recent times, Indian batting line up have time and again proved that they can tackle the pitches that assist the bowlers (3rd ODI pakistan, couple of ODI's against RSA) ... what all you said about batting is the exact opposite of what the truth is ...

they are a mediocre team once in a while ... but most of the times, they deliver the goods ... i know its possible to get carried away with your opinion when you see so many posts / threads around in the forum which bash at indian's batting line-up ... but, what you have said is just over the board mate ...

I have my own independent views and I have held them even before I joined this forum. India playing well on bowler assisted pitch is a big joke throughout the history of Indian cricket (giving one example here and there doesn't count).

In the examples you gave above, I would agree that 3rd ODI against Pak counts. Against RSA, you gave 2 examples and you are absolutely wrong here for the following reasons:

Hyd - 1st ODI - Pitch report: seaming conditions in the first 15 overs, after which it was a good batting track throughout. Indian batting: collapsed to 34-5 in the first 10 overs in seaming conditions. We recovered well to 250-9 but as I said, after 15 overs, pitch had eased out. Incidentally, I happened to watch this match live.

Bangalore - 2nd ODI - Pitch report: a dustbowl. Indian slow bowlers have a field day restricting Saffies to 179. Then when India bat, SA fast bowlers absolutely pinned down Indian batsmen by regularly beating both Sachin and Gambhir, even though conditions were good only for spinners and not for fast bowlers. As far as I remember, dustbowls assist only spinners and SA had only Botha as a spinner, and that too he is a new kid on the block.

Calcutta - 3rd ODI - Pitch report: Seaming track almost throughout the Indian innings. Unlike in Hyd where the pitch eased out, Calcutta pitch was seaming throughout the Indian innings. India collapsed to 180 all out.
As usual, when India came out to bat, Indian seamers couldn't make use of seaming conditions (wasn't as seaming in the morning but it still had something) and we lost by 10 wickets. This pitch was very much like Karachi pitch in the 2nd innings, where Pak batsmen destroyed Indian bowlers (and ICHM was saying that pitch has eased out) but when Pak bowlers came on to bowl, they annhilated India and they showed there still was something in the pitch.

Bombay - 4th ODI - Pitch report: a batting track. India won the match.

Now, where do you see India batting well on a seaming track against the Saffies? In fact in the last few years, only Multan ODI comes to mind where Indians did well. That is only one good batting performance in the last few years on a seaming track. What does it prove?

On the contrary, its you who needs cricketing lessons.

[James]

Just another game we should have won that we didn't, doing all the hard work and throwing it away, India deserved to win.

The problem with England is that they could easily be one of the top 3 ODI sides if they always took their opportunities to finish teams off, but (especially batting second) they seem to be their own worst enemy.

[Rickz]

I'm just glad to see India winning the 1st odi, hopefully India thumping to the oppisitions continues.

I got a lot of stick from my English mates today, being bowled out for 203 today, thinking they would win with ease, but at the end of the day India won, a great fightback from India, good bowling from the spinners, and great feilding by the team, my mates went dead quite when they heard the news from me that england lost, those blushing faces and me just sitting thier and laughing my head off at them. My teacher also went quite for a bit when I broke the news to them.

The series is not over yet, I expect England to come back very strong in the next couple of odis.

India should not be overconfident on this win.

We need Gangs back, he is a better captain then Dravid, he would serve us well as a captain and a odi batsmen.

[Tupac]

Why, An Indian can't speak the truth? Can't he believe his own eyes and ears and do an independent analysis rather than believe everything that the Indian Cricket Hype Machine dishes out?

no bud, your welcome to do it. But we've won 5 in a row. We've displayed character and guts. I think it's time to be a bit more positive. Unless your a pessimistic individual naturally.

[z10]

For anyone who saw the match, how was Pietersen playing?

good win for India

[Oxy]

For anyone who saw the match, how was Pietersen playing?

good win for India

KP looked like he was going to win the game in record time - got caught on the boundary though. Another time, that would been in the stands.

[James]

Pietersen isnt in great form. On top of his game he is a world class player and a dominant batsman, but now if he gets a start he rarely turns it into fifty, and if he gets a fifty he never looks like turning it into a hundred. Very frustrating lack of conversion from him.

[Easa]

For anyone who saw the match, how was Pietersen playing?

good win for India

Pietersen looked in great form, was middling everything. :D

[James]

He is merely in decent form. It is all very well finding the middle of the bat against everything but a batsman wont get a start every innings, he has to take more advantage of when he does get one.

If he was in great form he would have had some test centuries against India instead of falling short and failing to convert fifties.

[jatt13]

i know mods will probably have my behind for this since im the quintessential anti indian but jeeeez.. how do u indians even show ur face if u get whooped in odis too.. it doesnt look too good right now.. man oh man.... talk about major butt whooping.

pointless post....just trying to induce a response and ended up with your foot in your mouth.....its never over....anything is possible....i have learnt that when i went to bed thinking 434 is impossible to chase

[Swaraj!!]

It was a butt whooping regardless of the result, wasnt it cartman? Just the wheels came off the English Cart.
Guys , here's an Idea to save some money.....
Everybody let your mouth go during the matches and end up eating your words and putting your feet in your mouth.

[Rickz]

pointless post....just trying to induce a response and ended up with your foot in your mouth.....its never over....anything is possible....i have learnt that when i went to bed thinking 434 is impossible to chase

Exactly........I think he spoke too soon, that post made me laugh, he has just eaten his own words. :)))

I agree that it was a pointless post.

I agree that anything can happen, and its never over till the last wicket is taken and the last run is scored.

Indias thumping evreyone in the odis, hopefully this thumping continues. in the last 20 odi matches India have won 15, lost 4 and n/r 1.

I agree with sp10006, evreyone let your mouths open before the match, and like the Lankans, they ended up being forced to eat thier own words by India.

[cornelius]

spoke too soon eh cartman ol boy? heheh....anyways well played india, england really are their own worst enemy.whippy must be so ****** off......

[Rickz]

Whippy must be dissapointed, but that does not mean Englands going lose this series, they can still win it, they came back strong in the 3rd test and they can come back strong in the odis aswell.

[Rob H]

I said it to my Indian friends that as soon as India got over the 200 mark, England would lose it. The psychological barrier it puts up into our batsmens mind means we always struggle. As Freddie said in the interview though "it's a 7 match series". Hopefully we can win one.

[Swaraj!!]

I had mentioned earlier in this thread about England's 20-20 experience.....and how it would help them out. What a crocker of a reverse...makes me think I shd stop analysing and be a simple fan. Instead of helping them out it kinda destroyed them. They just played too too many shots.

[jatt13]

I said it to my Indian friends that as soon as India got over the 200 mark, England would lose it. The psychological barrier it puts up into our batsmens mind means we always struggle. As Freddie said in the interview though "it's a 7 match series". Hopefully we can win one.

that could be a problem because india in the last 13 or so matches looked like they could easily score 300 let alone set the 200 as a psychological barrier

[cavin420]

ok here comes another srinath classic,

ASAD RAOUF the umpire was stood at square leg, and kaif was reffered to the third umpire... so srinath goes : ROOF SENDS IT UPSTAIRS

[aggarwald]

no bud, your welcome to do it. But we've won 5 in a row. We've displayed character and guts. I think it's time to be a bit more positive. Unless your a pessimistic individual naturally.

I give you proof of your lies (about India playing well on seaming wickets against SA) and this is what you have to come up with? And you must be dreaming if you don't think that this Indian win was a fluke. Except for Gerant Jones, all other batsmen got out to poor shot selection where they tried to sweep away Bhajji. Let India be in a similar situation again and they will lose 99 times out of 100. Don't get too excited by this act of generosity of the English of gifting the game to us in a platter.

No thanks, but I don't need your condescending attitude.

[cavin420]

declared

457 is the target!!!!

[cavin420]

make that 458 to win :11:

and good morning aggarwald, how you doing?

[aggarwald]

make that 458 to win :11:

and good morning aggarwald, how you doing?

Very busy. Just strolled by this site for a few minutes and saw that there were a few mischevious kids prancing around. Even had to admonish one, as you can see above ;-) . Besides that, I am disappointed with Pak bowling in 2nd innings. Lets see what Pak batting does now.

[cavin420]

Very busy. Just strolled by this site for a few minutes and saw that there were a few mischevious kids prancing around. Even had to admonish one, as you can see above ;-) . Besides that, I am disappointed with Pak bowling in 2nd innings. Lets see what Pak batting does now.
he he he he, hope they got the dose they were waiting for ;)

i accedently posted on this thread :D and yeah pak disapointed not with their bowling so much, but with the batting in 1st innings but you never know with pak either 50 all out in the 2nd innings or 458 ;-) (latter being wishful thinking :11:

[Tupac]

I give you proof of your lies (about India playing well on seaming wickets against SA) and this is what you have to come up with? And you must be dreaming if you don't think that this Indian win was a fluke. Except for Gerant Jones, all other batsmen got out to poor shot selection where they tried to sweep away Bhajji. Let India be in a similar situation again and they will lose 99 times out of 100. Don't get too excited by this act of generosity of the English of gifting the game to us in a platter.

No thanks, but I don't need your condescending attitude.

never claimed we played well on seaming wickets against SA, although the first game was seaming around. Tendulkar was not out in that game, given caught behind to Pollock, and the ball seamed around till the 20th-25th over. If you remember, Yuvi was in pretty early...I have highlights of that game.

Poor shot selection. Did you think that perhaps maybe it was because of the pressure we were building up on them? That maybe Bhajji and Yuvi got together and bowled great line and length. Pathan had already set them on the backfoot with two quick strikes. I definitely will say that the English lost this game more then we won it, but credit deffo must be given to the Indian bowlers for not giving up. We are developing this confidence,....grit, and a will to never, ever give up. What more could you ask for from a team?

[James]

We are developing this confidence,....grit, and a will to never, ever give up. What more could you ask for from a team?

Not to try and hit Shaun Udal out of the ground twice in an over when you're already 7 wickets down...

[Tupac]

Not to try and hit Shaun Udal out of the ground twice in an over when you're already 7 wickets down...
we'll try and keep that in mind bud. Pieterson missed his breakfast this morning cuz of the shot he played...i hope you make sure he gets his lunch and an afternoon nap.

[James]

Indian fans, so easy to crank up...

[Tupac]

well bud, we'll just have to see the cranking up after the end of the series!

[aggarwald]

Indian fans, so easy to crank up...

Why didn't Eng play Hoggard? Are they resting him? And is Harmy ruled out of ODIs completely or he might be available in the middle of the series?

[James]

Hoggard is regarded as a test specialist to be honest. He only gets in the ODI squad if there are key bowling injuries, like Flintoff or Harmison, and even then he is unlikely to be picked. Fletcher usually likes the ODI bowlers to bat a bit and Hoggard can't bat - that would have been a factor as well.

All that said, it was suprising to see Kabir Ali get in Tuesday's XI ahead of him but Kabir took 4-40 or something so you cant complain.

Harmison is out for this series of one dayers, he isnt being risked, to give him the best chance of playing in the Sri Lanka test matches.

Also England will probably lose this series convincingly now, maybe winning 1 or 2 games? Getting India out cheaply in the first match was a good effort but in the doomed run chase, the SWEEP SHOT OF DOOM!! was our downfall yet again...and yet again Fletcher came out and defended the frequent use of the sweep, despite the fact its just cost us another game.