Messrs Duckworth and Lewis caused major controversy in England's rain-affected opening group game of the 2010 ICC World Twenty20 against West Indies at Providence, with England robbed of what appeared to be a likely victory. Having amassed 191 for 5, arguably their finest batting display in the history of the format, West Indies were set a revised, and frankly less-than-challenging 60 from 6 overs which Chris Gayle and company knocked off just in the knick of time. The tourists were dealt a cruelly ironic blow having travelled halfway around the world hoping to escape a typically English start to the summer it seemed the rain-clouds had followed them across the Atlantic and England were ultimately undone by an all-too-familiar foe.
Credit though must go to Gayle who took full advantage of the surprisingly fortunate position his team found themselves in, and his timely assault on England's opening bowlers proved decisive for the host-nation. Ryan Sidebottom was milked for 15 runs from an opening over in which the shaggy-haired Nottinghamshire seamer beat the outside edge three times and even caught the splice of the willow, only to sacrifice his line and length to Gayle who obliged with a four and a six in succession. Shivnarine Chanderpaul ably assisted his captain sweeping Graeme Swann for six seeing his team to 30 from 2.2 overs, and effectively ending England's hopes of a victory.
Earlier a new-look England team had produced a truly refreshing display of limited overs batting. Craig Kieswetter and Michael Lumb (fresh from the IPL) provided aggression from ball one, with scores of 26 from 14 and 28 from 18 respectively, their only failure was that they did not go on to make substantial contributions. Paul Collingwood and Kevin Pietersen were less fluent as Nikita Miller and Darren Sammy were able to put a brief strangle hold on the England charge.
The turning point of the match came at the halfway point. With the score reading 88 for 4 Eoin Morgan and Luke Wright found themselves together at the crease, and after five overs of careful accumulation the shackles were broken in the final five. Kieron Pollard's figures were demolished by the Sussex pinch-hitter, smashing one over - including two sixes. Morgan was equally impressive as he dealt with Dwayne Bravo creaming a four straight down the ground, before sweeping him over backward square leg for six, as the 50 partnership came up in 6.5 overs.
Wright and Morgan were not done yet and Ravi Rampaul who had leaked 25 runs in his first 2 overs was then blasted to all parts for 27 from his third and final over - the destructive duo sharing three sixes in the over. Morgan went on to bring up his half-century from a meagre 32 balls, finally succumbing to Pollard four balls from the end. Wright however continued to dominate and remained unbeaten on 45. Collingwood's men had posted their finest batting display in their Twenty20 history and fans will be hoping that the team can still take much-deserved confidence from this harshest of defeats.
Credit though must go to Gayle who took full advantage of the surprisingly fortunate position his team found themselves in, and his timely assault on England's opening bowlers proved decisive for the host-nation. Ryan Sidebottom was milked for 15 runs from an opening over in which the shaggy-haired Nottinghamshire seamer beat the outside edge three times and even caught the splice of the willow, only to sacrifice his line and length to Gayle who obliged with a four and a six in succession. Shivnarine Chanderpaul ably assisted his captain sweeping Graeme Swann for six seeing his team to 30 from 2.2 overs, and effectively ending England's hopes of a victory.
England's nemesis comes back to haunt them in their opening fixture
Image courtesy of cricinfo.com
Earlier a new-look England team had produced a truly refreshing display of limited overs batting. Craig Kieswetter and Michael Lumb (fresh from the IPL) provided aggression from ball one, with scores of 26 from 14 and 28 from 18 respectively, their only failure was that they did not go on to make substantial contributions. Paul Collingwood and Kevin Pietersen were less fluent as Nikita Miller and Darren Sammy were able to put a brief strangle hold on the England charge.
The turning point of the match came at the halfway point. With the score reading 88 for 4 Eoin Morgan and Luke Wright found themselves together at the crease, and after five overs of careful accumulation the shackles were broken in the final five. Kieron Pollard's figures were demolished by the Sussex pinch-hitter, smashing one over - including two sixes. Morgan was equally impressive as he dealt with Dwayne Bravo creaming a four straight down the ground, before sweeping him over backward square leg for six, as the 50 partnership came up in 6.5 overs.
Wright and Morgan were not done yet and Ravi Rampaul who had leaked 25 runs in his first 2 overs was then blasted to all parts for 27 from his third and final over - the destructive duo sharing three sixes in the over. Morgan went on to bring up his half-century from a meagre 32 balls, finally succumbing to Pollard four balls from the end. Wright however continued to dominate and remained unbeaten on 45. Collingwood's men had posted their finest batting display in their Twenty20 history and fans will be hoping that the team can still take much-deserved confidence from this harshest of defeats.
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