It's 2am the pub doors are shut and the landlord slides the ash tray over and offers you a cigarette. In the dim lit quarters of the local boozer you are invited into what seems like a conversation of the utmost importance, and one you have no doubt mused over whilst Gower and co. revisit the flaws in Alastair Cook's batting for umpteenth time during a damp ODI at Old Trafford in mid-summer. The conversation that ensues regards the small issue of deciding cricket's all-time Test XI, and inevitably as you seek to defend the merits of modern day cricket whilst the barman lectures you on the good old days, no draft is put forward.
Unrivaled cricketing encyclopedists Cricinfo will soon take on this titanic challenge and unveil their all-time World XI lineup, after leading cricket buffs from the eight major Test-playing nations gave them a head start nominating their country's best ever team.
As I sit at home with little prospect of befriending a semi-drunk landlord I thought I would have a proverbial stab at this perpetual cricketing conundrum....brace yourselves....
1. Sir Jack Hobbs (England) - 15 Test centuries at 56.94 on pitches that would ruin the careers of many a modern day batsman, Hobbs played competitive cricket past the age of 50, maintaining an average of over 50 in first class cricket and amassing a ridiculous 61,760 runs in 834 matches dubbing him 'The Master.'
2. Virender Sehwag (India) - With a Test match strike-rate of 81.56 Sehwag is arguably the most destructive opening batsman of his generation, scoring his runs at a faster rate than any other batsman in history. 22 hundreds and 21 fifties at an average of 54.14 including 79 sixes is only half the story - truly unstoppable!
3. Sir Don Bradman (Australia) - The greatest batsman of all-time Bradman is honoured with the fabled number three slot, reserved for the team's best player. End of conversation.
4. Sachin Tendulkar (India) - Adored by millions Tendulkar is the complete modern batsman and has gone on to score more runs in international cricket than anyone else in history, as well as the most hundreds in Test match cricket. Over twenty years after his debut Test aged sixteen 'The Little Master' remains the textbook batsman and a hero to young and old worldwide.
5. W. G. Grace (captain) (England) - A controversial inclusion seeing as no man alive can remember playing with or even seeing the great man. It is estimated that he scored over 101,000 runs in all forms of cricket, and took over 7,500 wickets in his mammoth tenure as a cricketer but it is his presence alone that merits his inclusion in the all-time XI.
6. Sir Garry Sobers (vice-captain) (West Indies) - Versatility personified Sobers could do anything and everything. An elegant batsman, multi-faceted bowler and exceptional fielder anywhere on the field Sobers was the quintessential all-rounder, within the confines of the boundary rope he was capable of near enough anything.
7. Kumar Sangakkara (wicket keeper) (Sri Lanka) - A more consistent performer than Gilchrist and a wily captain Sangakkara is the model 21st century wicket keeper/batsman. An average of 56.85 in Test matches puts him alongside today's finest strokemakers and having successfully kept wicket to Murali for over ten years Sangakkara has become one of the game's most skilled glovemen.
8. Malcolm Marshall (West Indies) - Seemingly able to make the ball talk on almost any surface Malcolm Marshall was quite simply a lethal weapon. Boasting an extraordinary strike rate of 46.7 and an equally impressive average of 20.94 including 22 five wicket hauls, Marshall was proficient in out-swing and in-swing bowling as well as possessing a fearful bouncer, he possessed an X-factor that demanded inclusion.
9. Wasim Akram (Pakistan) - 414 wickets in 104 Tests Wasim Akram was a wicket-machine. His left-arm approach provides the attack with something different and his ability to contribute with the bat was certainly a factor in his selection.
10. Shane Warne (Australia) - A true competitor Warne's enthusiasm for the game was matched by a supreme talent for leg-spin bowling. An ability to turn the ball at freakish angles he was Australia's go-to man for well over a decade and much like Grace and Sobers Warne's passion and desire to win renders him an invaluable member of the bowling attack.
11. Sydney Barnes (England) - A cricketing phenomenon Barnes was quite simply unplayable. In all cricket he took 6,229 wickets at a frankly stupid average of 8.33. Those who knew him say he sent a different delivery down each ball making fools of almost every man that faced him, the bowling trump card.
Honourable mentions: Viv Richards, Sunil Gavaskar, George Headley, Brian Lara, Ian Botham, Imran Khan, Adam Gilchrist, Alan Knott, Michael Holding, Muttiah Muralitharan, Curtly Ambrose.
The final team comprises of three Englishmen, two Australians, two West Indians, two Indians, a Sri Lankan and a Pakistani.
Do you agree?
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Bangladesh in England ODI Series 2010
England v Bangladesh 1st ODI, Natwest Series, at Trent Bridge July 8 2010.
England 251 for 4 (Bell 84, Strauss 50) beat Bangladesh 250 for 9 (Siddique 51, Al Hasan 76) by 6 wickets.
A Comedy of Errors
If all Bangladesh could muster in the Test arena were brief moments of brilliance or an inspired session here and there, the more forgiving and fast-paced nature of the one day game it was possible would prove a more fruitful format. Early signs were promising for the Tigers, all top six batsmen reaching double figures including two half centuries from Junaid Siddique and Raqibul Hassan. But it was the former who fell crucially short of a big score, run out for 76 with three overs remaining. Raqibul guiding the ball to midwicket for an easy single, only for Faisal Hossain, Raqibul's runner, to be caught ball watching. Shakib set off from the non-striker's end but was surprised when he saw Faisal motionless, in confusion Shakib desperately ran back for his own crease while Faisal stutteres halfway down the track. The ball was sent in to Kieswetter, Raqibul grounding his own bat but to no avail as Faisal was nowhere to be seen, a comedy of errors that prevented the tourists posting a more challenging total on a good batting deck at Trent Bridge.
The Tortoise and the Hare
In reply England began positively, Kieswetter building on his impressive summer so far with a useful knock of 32 from 40, but it was his the England captain that was most adventurous crashing 50 off just 37 deliveries. The manner in which Strauss went about his business was a sure sign that he refuses to be typecast as a one-paced, methodical opening batsman only suited to Test cricket. It appears his assuredness in defence actually heightens the impact of his aggression, pouncing on anything marginally off-line Strauss never descends to recklessness but instead punishes the opposition for ill-discipline in spectacular fashion.
However, moments after raising his bat for his half century the England skipper was run out by Mahmadullah. Kieswetter dabbing one into the covers, Strauss calling for the single but tragically underestimating the accuracy of the throw not diving to make sure of the run and caught napping inches short of the crease. In the absence of Kevin Pietersen and Jonathan Trott, it was up to Ian Bell to negate the middle overs in the crucial number three position.
Joining Paul Collingwood initially, the pair manipulated the field expertly keeping the board ticking over at a healthy rate, Collingwood eventually succumbed to the left arm spin of Shakib Al Hasan making way for Eoin Morgan. Bell maintained a steady pace rotating the strike admirably in order to allow Morgan to flay the bat more willfully, the Irishman chipping in with a swift 23 from 26 deliveries including two fours and a six. It was left to Bell and Yardy to finish off the job with just under five overs remaining. The experience showed by Bell, who remained unbeaten on 84 underlined the entire England chase, a professional display from a confident group of cricketers who have yet to lose a series (or World cup competition) this year.
England v Bangladesh 2nd ODI, Natwest Series, at The County Ground July 10 2010.
Bangladesh 236 for 7 (Kayes 76, Shahzad 3-41) beat England 231 (Trott 94) by 5 runs.
Team Spirit
At the halfway stage there was a sense of deja vu about proceedings, Bangladesh having posted a below-par total were set the task of restricting, or most likely bowling out England if they were to claim victory. There was certainly no room for a patchy bowling effort and you felt that to win the game Bangladesh would require a high class team effort.
Rubel Hossain led by example claiming the scalps of openers Strauss and Kieswetter in consecutive overs to leave the home side 58 for 2 after nine overs. Collingwood survived the bowling Powerplay and was unlucky to be dismissed soon after by Abdur Razzak who was fortunate to see the finger raised for an appeal lbw. Seven balls later and England's middle order hero of late Eoin Morgan was sent back again by Razzaq for just one run. This time England had no complaints, the ball going on to hit the top of middle stump.
Yardy continued his nervy England career with a woeful 10 from 24 balls to take England over the hundred mark, Shakib outfoxing the Sussex allrounder, luring him into the pull shot only for the ball to slide under Yardy's bat and clatter into his offstump. Meanwhile Jonathan Trott went about his business providing much needed solidity to England's flailing run chase, his fifty coming off 91 deliveries, and as Luke Wright departed with over 15 overs remaining it was Trott who really held the key to what would now be a surprise defeat for England.
The bowlers provided little resistance, Stuart Broad providing some brief entertainment, his 21 featuring a four and a six. Ian Bell did return to the field despite a suspected broken foot, but with three balls to go and six runs remaining it was Trott, who required the same amount of runs for his century, who was last to go, the two Islams combining to force an edge from Trott's bat and complete a famous victory for Bangladesh. A wonderful effort and one that ensured the series would go down to a crucial decider at Edgbaston.
England v Bangladesh 3rd ODI, Natwest Series, at Edgbaston July 12 2010.
England 347 for 7 (Strauss 154, Trott 110, Mortaza 3-31) beat Bangladesh 203 (Bopara 4-38) by 144 runs.
Record Breakers
So one a piece and all to play for, and following a dramatic victory two days previous Bangladesh were on the brink of their first series win against England in history. As it turned out it was the hosts who entered the record books that afternoon, the immovable forces of Andrew Strauss and Jonathan Trott milking the Tigers for all they had notching up a second wicket partnership of 250, the highest ever in England's one day history, surpassing Strauss and Flintoff's 226 run partnership recorded against the West Indies at Lords in 2004. A nervy start soon became an enterprising double act lifting England from 1 for 1 to 251 for 2 four balls into the final ten overs of the innings Strauss and Trott playing against the grain of their stereotype.
Trott was powerful and precise in his shot selection and remained focused throughout while Bangladeshi heads slowly dropped unable to find a breakthrough for a whole 240 balls. It took a joint effort between captain and former captain to prise Trott from the wicket, the Warwickshire stalwart creaming a full delivery to midwicket where Shakib took an athletic catch, but not before Trott had notched up his first ever one day international century, and another under-pressure knock when his team was in need of inspiration.
At the other end Strauss compiled an innings he has been threatening to produce all summer. Having been run out in farcical circumstances two days ago the England captain was determined to cash in on this occasion creaming the Bangladesh bowlers to all parts for his remarkable 154. A strike rate of 110 underlined the brutality of Strauss's knock which included five rare sixes, his eighth of the summer, having only scored a further ten since his debut in 2003.
England 251 for 4 (Bell 84, Strauss 50) beat Bangladesh 250 for 9 (Siddique 51, Al Hasan 76) by 6 wickets.
A Comedy of Errors
If all Bangladesh could muster in the Test arena were brief moments of brilliance or an inspired session here and there, the more forgiving and fast-paced nature of the one day game it was possible would prove a more fruitful format. Early signs were promising for the Tigers, all top six batsmen reaching double figures including two half centuries from Junaid Siddique and Raqibul Hassan. But it was the former who fell crucially short of a big score, run out for 76 with three overs remaining. Raqibul guiding the ball to midwicket for an easy single, only for Faisal Hossain, Raqibul's runner, to be caught ball watching. Shakib set off from the non-striker's end but was surprised when he saw Faisal motionless, in confusion Shakib desperately ran back for his own crease while Faisal stutteres halfway down the track. The ball was sent in to Kieswetter, Raqibul grounding his own bat but to no avail as Faisal was nowhere to be seen, a comedy of errors that prevented the tourists posting a more challenging total on a good batting deck at Trent Bridge.
The Tortoise and the Hare
In reply England began positively, Kieswetter building on his impressive summer so far with a useful knock of 32 from 40, but it was his the England captain that was most adventurous crashing 50 off just 37 deliveries. The manner in which Strauss went about his business was a sure sign that he refuses to be typecast as a one-paced, methodical opening batsman only suited to Test cricket. It appears his assuredness in defence actually heightens the impact of his aggression, pouncing on anything marginally off-line Strauss never descends to recklessness but instead punishes the opposition for ill-discipline in spectacular fashion.
However, moments after raising his bat for his half century the England skipper was run out by Mahmadullah. Kieswetter dabbing one into the covers, Strauss calling for the single but tragically underestimating the accuracy of the throw not diving to make sure of the run and caught napping inches short of the crease. In the absence of Kevin Pietersen and Jonathan Trott, it was up to Ian Bell to negate the middle overs in the crucial number three position.
Joining Paul Collingwood initially, the pair manipulated the field expertly keeping the board ticking over at a healthy rate, Collingwood eventually succumbed to the left arm spin of Shakib Al Hasan making way for Eoin Morgan. Bell maintained a steady pace rotating the strike admirably in order to allow Morgan to flay the bat more willfully, the Irishman chipping in with a swift 23 from 26 deliveries including two fours and a six. It was left to Bell and Yardy to finish off the job with just under five overs remaining. The experience showed by Bell, who remained unbeaten on 84 underlined the entire England chase, a professional display from a confident group of cricketers who have yet to lose a series (or World cup competition) this year.
England v Bangladesh 2nd ODI, Natwest Series, at The County Ground July 10 2010.
Bangladesh 236 for 7 (Kayes 76, Shahzad 3-41) beat England 231 (Trott 94) by 5 runs.
Team Spirit
At the halfway stage there was a sense of deja vu about proceedings, Bangladesh having posted a below-par total were set the task of restricting, or most likely bowling out England if they were to claim victory. There was certainly no room for a patchy bowling effort and you felt that to win the game Bangladesh would require a high class team effort.
Rubel Hossain led by example claiming the scalps of openers Strauss and Kieswetter in consecutive overs to leave the home side 58 for 2 after nine overs. Collingwood survived the bowling Powerplay and was unlucky to be dismissed soon after by Abdur Razzak who was fortunate to see the finger raised for an appeal lbw. Seven balls later and England's middle order hero of late Eoin Morgan was sent back again by Razzaq for just one run. This time England had no complaints, the ball going on to hit the top of middle stump.
Yardy continued his nervy England career with a woeful 10 from 24 balls to take England over the hundred mark, Shakib outfoxing the Sussex allrounder, luring him into the pull shot only for the ball to slide under Yardy's bat and clatter into his offstump. Meanwhile Jonathan Trott went about his business providing much needed solidity to England's flailing run chase, his fifty coming off 91 deliveries, and as Luke Wright departed with over 15 overs remaining it was Trott who really held the key to what would now be a surprise defeat for England.
The bowlers provided little resistance, Stuart Broad providing some brief entertainment, his 21 featuring a four and a six. Ian Bell did return to the field despite a suspected broken foot, but with three balls to go and six runs remaining it was Trott, who required the same amount of runs for his century, who was last to go, the two Islams combining to force an edge from Trott's bat and complete a famous victory for Bangladesh. A wonderful effort and one that ensured the series would go down to a crucial decider at Edgbaston.
England v Bangladesh 3rd ODI, Natwest Series, at Edgbaston July 12 2010.
England 347 for 7 (Strauss 154, Trott 110, Mortaza 3-31) beat Bangladesh 203 (Bopara 4-38) by 144 runs.
Record Breakers
So one a piece and all to play for, and following a dramatic victory two days previous Bangladesh were on the brink of their first series win against England in history. As it turned out it was the hosts who entered the record books that afternoon, the immovable forces of Andrew Strauss and Jonathan Trott milking the Tigers for all they had notching up a second wicket partnership of 250, the highest ever in England's one day history, surpassing Strauss and Flintoff's 226 run partnership recorded against the West Indies at Lords in 2004. A nervy start soon became an enterprising double act lifting England from 1 for 1 to 251 for 2 four balls into the final ten overs of the innings Strauss and Trott playing against the grain of their stereotype.
Trott was powerful and precise in his shot selection and remained focused throughout while Bangladeshi heads slowly dropped unable to find a breakthrough for a whole 240 balls. It took a joint effort between captain and former captain to prise Trott from the wicket, the Warwickshire stalwart creaming a full delivery to midwicket where Shakib took an athletic catch, but not before Trott had notched up his first ever one day international century, and another under-pressure knock when his team was in need of inspiration.
At the other end Strauss compiled an innings he has been threatening to produce all summer. Having been run out in farcical circumstances two days ago the England captain was determined to cash in on this occasion creaming the Bangladesh bowlers to all parts for his remarkable 154. A strike rate of 110 underlined the brutality of Strauss's knock which included five rare sixes, his eighth of the summer, having only scored a further ten since his debut in 2003.
Australia in England ODI Series 2010
England v Australia, 1st ODI, Natwest Series at The Rose Bowl, 22 June 2010.
England 268 for 6 (Morgan 103, Harris 3-42) beat Australia 267 for 7 (Clarke 87) by 4 wickets.
Anchor
Michael Clarke dropped anchor for Australia to help the tourists post a competitive 267 for 7. He hit some sweet drives and blows through the covers but an inability to accelerate his innings in the final overs proved critical, especially when you consider the match-winning efforts of England's anchor Eoin Morgan in reply. Two wickets a piece for Broad, Anderson and Yardy meant the Aussies never settled into a partnership with Clarke very much the backbone of a less-than-fluent batting effort by Ricky Ponting's men.
Saviour
In much the same fashion as Australia, England's batting heavyweights all got in and got out with the exception of one man, for the tourists it was Clarke and for England it was Eoin Morgan. As a result the difference between the two sides largely rested on how each man went about his task. For Clarke it was setting up a challenging total, and whilst he batted through until the 50th over 87 runs from 97 deliveries highlighted Clarke's inability push the run rate up above six an over. Conversely Morgan maintained a steady strike rate throughout, manipulating the Aussie bowlers with shots all around the park before crashing his second boundary of the 46th over to seal a win for England and a magnificent century for Morgan who rightly bagged the Man of the Match award.
England v Australia, 2nd ODI, Natwest Series at Sophia Gardens, 24 June 2010.
England 243 for 6 (Strauss 51, Bollinger 3-46) beat Australia 239 for 7 (White 86, Broad 4-44) by 4 wickets.
Applying the Brakes
Stuart Broad reached 100 one day wickets in this the second ODI between England and Australia at Cardiff, and chipped in with a further three key wickets to help restrict the Aussies to a mediocre 239 in their 50 overs. After a bright start for the batting side Broad made a timely breakthrough drawing Tim Paine into a shot down the leg side three balls into the bowling powerplay. Four overs later and having dragged his length back a fraction he was rewarded with the prized wicket of Ponting who was lured into a an uncomfortable shot outside offstump edging to keeper Kieswetter. With the captain back in the changing room Broad went about cutting his deputy down to size. A well directed bouncer proved too tricky for Clarke to safely manouvre out of danger and the ball clipped his glove and ballooned tamely to a grateful Graeme Swann at short leg. Broad capped off the landmark occasion with the wicket of Steven Smith who had looked good for his 41 from 53 deliveries, but Broad halted any ambitions Smith may have had of a half century with five overs remaining, a fatal blow that typified a lacklustre performance by the touring team.
Team Effort
In reply England's batsman combined well to cruise to victory with just under five overs remaining. With the exception of Kieswetter all the seven other batsman called upon reached double figures, captain Strauss and man-of-the-moment Morgan both passing fifty. Pietersen played well for his 33 and was only to be undone by a brilliant catch from Ricky Ponting on the edge of the ring. Paul Collingwood was dismissed two short of his half century after clattering two fours and two sixes in his innings before Graeme Swann finished the job in style with a flat six over long off.
England v Australia, 3rd ODI, Natwest Series at Old Trafford, 27 June 2010.
England 214 for 9 (Strauss 87, Bollinger 3-20) beat Australia 212 (Watson 61, Swann 4-37) by 1 wicket.
Off Break(through)
Graeme Swann pegged back the Australian top and middle order as England succeeded in keeping the opposition batsman under wraps. Ricky Ponting, whose problems against offspin have been well documented, was first to succumb to the dip and guile of Swann, drawn out of his crease only to waft into thin air leaving Kieswetter to gratefully remove the bails. Top scorer Watson was next to go Swann extracting some extra bounce from the wicket that caught Watson off guard as a simple leg side tickle was sent airborne and gobbled up at square leg by the captain. Strauss was in action again for Chin's third wicket taking a catch low to his left at the same position to get rid of big-hitter Cameron White. Swann's haul was complete when Clarke picked out Ian Bell at long off, the offspinner the only man to make inroads during the 'middle overs' helping England peg Australia back from 93 for 1 to 169 for 5 in the space of twenty overs.
Captain's Knock
A methodical 87 from captain Andrew Strauss proved vital as England narrowly stuttered over the line in a tense run chase at Manchester. An unflappable innings that only served to reinforce Strauss's credentials as 50 over captain. He was unable to reach what would have been a deserved hundred and see the innings to its finale but that was not a rarity in the England chase. The resolve of Strauss to put his team within touching distance of victory as apposed to Ponting who absorbed 16 balls for his 3 before charging recklessly only to be stumped, was a telling statistic as England notched up an unassailable 3-0 lead with two to play.
England v Australia, 4th ODI, Natwest Series at Kennington Oval, 30 June 2010.
Australia 290 for 5 (Clarke 99, Ponting 92) beat England 212 (Yardy 57, Harris 5-32) by 78 runs.
Two Significant Figures
As Australia marched out to bat first for the fourth time this series Ricky Ponting would have been hoping for an improvement on the sub-par totals of the three matches previous that had allowed England to get their hands on the trophy in the shortest time possible. It fell on the Aussie captain and vice-captain to dig deep and take their team to a formidable total. Ponting, who has been very much the lesser captain in the series so far, seemed to break free from the shackles of Old Trafford and played with great assurance and zeal, in particular off the back foot through his favoured on side. Clarke was equally fluent and James Anderson must have been ruing his dropped catch at cover when Clarke was only on 5. With both men in fine fettle Ponting called for the batting Powerplay in the 43rd over only to haul out to a leaping Strauss at extra cover off Jimmy's first ball, walking back eight short of another one day ton. Clarke was less reckless and his inability to pierce the field in the latter overs was again put into focus. A single from the first ball of the 50th over meant he had to watch while Steven Smith faced the remainder of the over leaving him stranded on 99 not out, the ninth player in ODI history to remain unbeaten one short of a hundred.
Fiery Five-For
A fired up Ryan Harris claimed the Man of the Match award terrorising England's batsman in a woeful display at the Oval. His intentions were clear when he bagged Craig Kieswetter early on, the England keeper again victim to a ball nipping back off the seam clattering into his off stump, Harris giving the opener a good old-fashioned Aussie send off. In his next over Harris speared a bowl ominously towards Pietersen's pads trapping him successfully in front, KP was not happy but replays showed he had no reason to complain -twas plum! Harris then extracted the dangerous Morgan, who had already hit three sixes on his way to 47, the Irishman drawn into a faint edge through to keeper Tim Paine. Bresnan, who had sealed a series victory for his side in the game previous, was next to go picking out Watson on the boundary edge, and Harris's haul was complete when Stuart Broad chipped tamely to Mike Hussey at cover. Australia had broken their duck and would be looking to increase their respectability with another victory when they travel to Lords for the final encounter between these sides before the Ashes this winter.
England v Australia, 5th ODI, Natwest Series at Lords, 3 July 2010.
Australia 277 for 7 (Hussey 79, Broad 4-64) beat England 235 (Collingwood 95, Tait 4-48) by 42 runs.
Throwing Caution to the Wind
79 runs from 60 balls and a 115 run partnership with Shaun Marsh in the final over and Michael Hussey had thrust Australia from a reasonable position to one of complete dominance. Mr Cricket was in fine form crashing two sixes and five fours but it was his ability to pick gaps in the field and push for those vital twos and threes that frustrated England's bowlers at the death. Hussey was finally dismissed three balls before the end of the innings but his lower order heroics had made a lasting impact Australia closing on 277 for 7 in 50 overs having been 162 for 4 going into the final ten overs.
Raw Pace
As the fruity baritone of Michael Holding has preached for years there is no replacement for 'real' pace and when Shaun Tait broke the 100mph barrier England wickets started to tumble. It takes a good bowler to get through the defence's of the England captain, and it takes a truly great spell of bowling to send Strauss's offstump cartwheeling out of the ground and that was exactly how Tait opened his account. With England requiring nearly six an over Michael Yardy was 'sent in to push the tempo'! Unsurprisingly Yardy was back in the pen two balls after his introduction, again Tait honing in on the stumps and hitting his target with supreme accuracy. Tait was then called upon as England entered the final 10 overs, Collingwood and having made his way into the nineties held any England hope of an unlikely victory, but Tait was on hand to suitably spoil the show removing the leg stump as Collingwood advanced down the wicket trying to keep in touch with the ever-increasing run rate. Swann was last to go and it was Tait again catching the England tweaker offguard with a well disguised slower ball. Final figures of 4 for 48 earned the Aussie fast bowler a man of the match award and Australia had clawed back to a far more respectful 3-2 defeat in an entertaining series of top notch cricket.
England 268 for 6 (Morgan 103, Harris 3-42) beat Australia 267 for 7 (Clarke 87) by 4 wickets.
Anchor
Michael Clarke dropped anchor for Australia to help the tourists post a competitive 267 for 7. He hit some sweet drives and blows through the covers but an inability to accelerate his innings in the final overs proved critical, especially when you consider the match-winning efforts of England's anchor Eoin Morgan in reply. Two wickets a piece for Broad, Anderson and Yardy meant the Aussies never settled into a partnership with Clarke very much the backbone of a less-than-fluent batting effort by Ricky Ponting's men.
Saviour
In much the same fashion as Australia, England's batting heavyweights all got in and got out with the exception of one man, for the tourists it was Clarke and for England it was Eoin Morgan. As a result the difference between the two sides largely rested on how each man went about his task. For Clarke it was setting up a challenging total, and whilst he batted through until the 50th over 87 runs from 97 deliveries highlighted Clarke's inability push the run rate up above six an over. Conversely Morgan maintained a steady strike rate throughout, manipulating the Aussie bowlers with shots all around the park before crashing his second boundary of the 46th over to seal a win for England and a magnificent century for Morgan who rightly bagged the Man of the Match award.
England v Australia, 2nd ODI, Natwest Series at Sophia Gardens, 24 June 2010.
England 243 for 6 (Strauss 51, Bollinger 3-46) beat Australia 239 for 7 (White 86, Broad 4-44) by 4 wickets.
Applying the Brakes
Stuart Broad reached 100 one day wickets in this the second ODI between England and Australia at Cardiff, and chipped in with a further three key wickets to help restrict the Aussies to a mediocre 239 in their 50 overs. After a bright start for the batting side Broad made a timely breakthrough drawing Tim Paine into a shot down the leg side three balls into the bowling powerplay. Four overs later and having dragged his length back a fraction he was rewarded with the prized wicket of Ponting who was lured into a an uncomfortable shot outside offstump edging to keeper Kieswetter. With the captain back in the changing room Broad went about cutting his deputy down to size. A well directed bouncer proved too tricky for Clarke to safely manouvre out of danger and the ball clipped his glove and ballooned tamely to a grateful Graeme Swann at short leg. Broad capped off the landmark occasion with the wicket of Steven Smith who had looked good for his 41 from 53 deliveries, but Broad halted any ambitions Smith may have had of a half century with five overs remaining, a fatal blow that typified a lacklustre performance by the touring team.
In reply England's batsman combined well to cruise to victory with just under five overs remaining. With the exception of Kieswetter all the seven other batsman called upon reached double figures, captain Strauss and man-of-the-moment Morgan both passing fifty. Pietersen played well for his 33 and was only to be undone by a brilliant catch from Ricky Ponting on the edge of the ring. Paul Collingwood was dismissed two short of his half century after clattering two fours and two sixes in his innings before Graeme Swann finished the job in style with a flat six over long off.
England v Australia, 3rd ODI, Natwest Series at Old Trafford, 27 June 2010.
England 214 for 9 (Strauss 87, Bollinger 3-20) beat Australia 212 (Watson 61, Swann 4-37) by 1 wicket.
Off Break(through)
Graeme Swann pegged back the Australian top and middle order as England succeeded in keeping the opposition batsman under wraps. Ricky Ponting, whose problems against offspin have been well documented, was first to succumb to the dip and guile of Swann, drawn out of his crease only to waft into thin air leaving Kieswetter to gratefully remove the bails. Top scorer Watson was next to go Swann extracting some extra bounce from the wicket that caught Watson off guard as a simple leg side tickle was sent airborne and gobbled up at square leg by the captain. Strauss was in action again for Chin's third wicket taking a catch low to his left at the same position to get rid of big-hitter Cameron White. Swann's haul was complete when Clarke picked out Ian Bell at long off, the offspinner the only man to make inroads during the 'middle overs' helping England peg Australia back from 93 for 1 to 169 for 5 in the space of twenty overs.
Captain's Knock
A methodical 87 from captain Andrew Strauss proved vital as England narrowly stuttered over the line in a tense run chase at Manchester. An unflappable innings that only served to reinforce Strauss's credentials as 50 over captain. He was unable to reach what would have been a deserved hundred and see the innings to its finale but that was not a rarity in the England chase. The resolve of Strauss to put his team within touching distance of victory as apposed to Ponting who absorbed 16 balls for his 3 before charging recklessly only to be stumped, was a telling statistic as England notched up an unassailable 3-0 lead with two to play.
England v Australia, 4th ODI, Natwest Series at Kennington Oval, 30 June 2010.
Australia 290 for 5 (Clarke 99, Ponting 92) beat England 212 (Yardy 57, Harris 5-32) by 78 runs.
Two Significant Figures
As Australia marched out to bat first for the fourth time this series Ricky Ponting would have been hoping for an improvement on the sub-par totals of the three matches previous that had allowed England to get their hands on the trophy in the shortest time possible. It fell on the Aussie captain and vice-captain to dig deep and take their team to a formidable total. Ponting, who has been very much the lesser captain in the series so far, seemed to break free from the shackles of Old Trafford and played with great assurance and zeal, in particular off the back foot through his favoured on side. Clarke was equally fluent and James Anderson must have been ruing his dropped catch at cover when Clarke was only on 5. With both men in fine fettle Ponting called for the batting Powerplay in the 43rd over only to haul out to a leaping Strauss at extra cover off Jimmy's first ball, walking back eight short of another one day ton. Clarke was less reckless and his inability to pierce the field in the latter overs was again put into focus. A single from the first ball of the 50th over meant he had to watch while Steven Smith faced the remainder of the over leaving him stranded on 99 not out, the ninth player in ODI history to remain unbeaten one short of a hundred.
Fiery Five-For
A fired up Ryan Harris claimed the Man of the Match award terrorising England's batsman in a woeful display at the Oval. His intentions were clear when he bagged Craig Kieswetter early on, the England keeper again victim to a ball nipping back off the seam clattering into his off stump, Harris giving the opener a good old-fashioned Aussie send off. In his next over Harris speared a bowl ominously towards Pietersen's pads trapping him successfully in front, KP was not happy but replays showed he had no reason to complain -twas plum! Harris then extracted the dangerous Morgan, who had already hit three sixes on his way to 47, the Irishman drawn into a faint edge through to keeper Tim Paine. Bresnan, who had sealed a series victory for his side in the game previous, was next to go picking out Watson on the boundary edge, and Harris's haul was complete when Stuart Broad chipped tamely to Mike Hussey at cover. Australia had broken their duck and would be looking to increase their respectability with another victory when they travel to Lords for the final encounter between these sides before the Ashes this winter.
England v Australia, 5th ODI, Natwest Series at Lords, 3 July 2010.
Australia 277 for 7 (Hussey 79, Broad 4-64) beat England 235 (Collingwood 95, Tait 4-48) by 42 runs.
Throwing Caution to the Wind
79 runs from 60 balls and a 115 run partnership with Shaun Marsh in the final over and Michael Hussey had thrust Australia from a reasonable position to one of complete dominance. Mr Cricket was in fine form crashing two sixes and five fours but it was his ability to pick gaps in the field and push for those vital twos and threes that frustrated England's bowlers at the death. Hussey was finally dismissed three balls before the end of the innings but his lower order heroics had made a lasting impact Australia closing on 277 for 7 in 50 overs having been 162 for 4 going into the final ten overs.
Raw Pace
As the fruity baritone of Michael Holding has preached for years there is no replacement for 'real' pace and when Shaun Tait broke the 100mph barrier England wickets started to tumble. It takes a good bowler to get through the defence's of the England captain, and it takes a truly great spell of bowling to send Strauss's offstump cartwheeling out of the ground and that was exactly how Tait opened his account. With England requiring nearly six an over Michael Yardy was 'sent in to push the tempo'! Unsurprisingly Yardy was back in the pen two balls after his introduction, again Tait honing in on the stumps and hitting his target with supreme accuracy. Tait was then called upon as England entered the final 10 overs, Collingwood and having made his way into the nineties held any England hope of an unlikely victory, but Tait was on hand to suitably spoil the show removing the leg stump as Collingwood advanced down the wicket trying to keep in touch with the ever-increasing run rate. Swann was last to go and it was Tait again catching the England tweaker offguard with a well disguised slower ball. Final figures of 4 for 48 earned the Aussie fast bowler a man of the match award and Australia had clawed back to a far more respectful 3-2 defeat in an entertaining series of top notch cricket.
Bangladesh in England Test Series 2010
England v Bangladesh, 1st Test at Lords, May 27 - 31, 2010.
England 505 (Trott 226, Hossain 5-98) & 163 for 2 beat Bangladesh 282 & 382 (Iqbal 103, Finn 5-87) by 8 wickets.
On the Front Foot
Jonathan Trott has had a topsy-turvy nine months since his Ashes heroics last Summer, but with his feet back on familiar shores Trott picked up where he started off with his maiden Test double ton and his second hundred in three innings in England. His 226 took England to an imposing 505 all out allowing Strauss to eventually enforce the follow on and lead his team to an eight wicket victory. Often criticised for his laborious manner at the crease Trott proved the glue to England's innings kick-starting his summer in the best way possible.
All Edge and No Middle
After a fine series as captain against the Tigers away from home Cook found little luck in the first Test. He was the only England batsman to be out for single figures in the first innings adjudged lbw off the bowling of Shahadat Hossain in the fifth over of the game. As it turned out Cook was unlucky to be back in the dressing room so early, hawkeye suggesting the ball would have gone over the stumps. Four days later and with England chasing 160 runs to win the Test match Cook was again trapped in front this time by Mahmadullah only for replays to reveal the ball would have flew over off and middle!
Line and Length
Five days and nine wickets later and Steven Finn is odds on to board the plane to Australia. A mechanical bowler with a conservative action Finn lets his bean pole stature and ice cool temperament do the talking. Unlike England apprentices before him who have reaped the rewards of overcast conditions or green top wickets Finn relied on persistence and skill for each of his nine wickets. In the first innings he bowled 25 overs for four of the top seven wickets prising out genuine edges once to Strauss at first slip, and twice to Prior, before clean bowling Rahim as Bangladesh refused to play to any stereotypes and needlessly give their wickets away.
With Bangladesh following on Finn was straight back into action charging in for another 24 overs in total this time getting himself on the Lords honours board claiming a much-deserved 5 for 87. After ending Tamim's onslaught Finn went about plying his trade with great skill. Whilst plugging away outside offstump Finn used subtle variation on a wearing pitch to keep the Tigers in check and completely outclass his fellow bowlers who amassed 86 overs and 274 runs collectively for the loss of the remaining five batsman.
Adrenaline Junkie
England's eight wicket victory whilst deserved was certainly not as easy an affair as they may have expected, and one man that will not be forgotten by the Lords crowds is Tamim Iqbal. His blistering 103 in 100 balls quickly prompted comparisons with Virender Sehwag and as the feisty left hander dispatched England's pace attack to all parts the likes of Broad and Bresnan may have been wishing they were bowling to the Indian opener.
Tamim's all-guns-blazing attitude to batting though is in reality a pragmatic approach to playing for Bangladesh, who one suspects will not get very far trying to grind out results, they're simply not in the same league as the world's best. Unfortunately while a blazing hundred in a one day game may be able to alone win the odd game, a moment of such brilliance in the context of a five day match will more often than not fail to sway the final result when your team mates lack your god-given talents.
England v Bangladesh, 2nd Test at Old Trafford, June 4-6, 2010.
England 419 (Bell 128, Al Hasan 5-121) beat Bangladesh 216 (Iqbal 108, Swann 5-76) & 123 (Finn 5-42) by an innings and 80 runs.
Anchor
At 153 for 4 the England innings could have gone one of two ways, Ian Bell made sure it went the way all home fans were hoping for. Batting for five and a half hours he absorbed early pressure and then went about bisecting the Bangladeshi fielders with the kind of maturity he has shown in the past 12 months. Ably assisted by Matt Prior (93) Bell took his side to 376 for 5 before he was unlucky to fall victim to a wonder delivery from Shakib Al-Hasan that gripped sharply off the surface making a mess of the batsman's stumps.
It was the temperament of 'The Sherminator's' knock that was most telling, the man who once only scored hundreds when in the company of other centurions and who had been heavily criticised for getting out when well set was now leading his team into a winning position. If his marathon innings against South Africa was an indication of his new found maturity this was confirmation of his continual importance in the England middle order.
Unlikely Hero
While Bell and Prior were piling on the misery for his team Shakib Al Hasan the Bangladesh captain took it on himself to try and inspire a breakthrough. A thoughtful bowler Shakib has already taken six five wicket hauls in Test cricket at a healthy average of just over 30. It so happened that his hard work payed off and he was rewarded with the wicket of Ian Bell albeit against the run of play. The ball darted in to leg stump bell pushed at it expecting to be able to guide the ball into the leg side, instead the ball gripped and spun viciously to miss Bell's bat flick the off bail.
That bit of magic proved decisive as 376 for 6 became 419 all out, the captain causing the majority of the damage and picking up a hard earned five-for, his final figures reading 37.3 overs, 5 for 121 with three maidens.
Lone Ranger
Another lost cause, another outstanding innings, Tamim Iqbal's refreshing attitude to batting and abislity to rack up substantial scores from ball one has elavated the 21 year old to cult status as of late and his second century in as many matches has simply put the cherry on the cake.
108 from 114 balls was the equation this time around, exactly half of the Bangladesh total score. It wasn't enough to save his team but that was never the point Tamim is not selfish or unruly as many may presume he is a realist and his inspirational approach to batting is a lesson to all.
The Turning Point
The most improved cricketer in world cricket, it rarely comes as a surprise nowadays when Swanny bags a five-for, and that was exactly what he did after Anderson had the dangerous Tamim caught behind. Siddique was too easy for Swann his impatience his undoing eventually succumbing to Swann's immaculate line and length and edging to Prior. Islam was next to go, lured into wafting outside his offstump only to mistime his drive and gift Swann a classic offspinner's dismissal gripping and turning and crashing into the middle stump.
The rest was childsplay for a man of Chin's quality and as his fingers rolled over what was to be the final cherry of the Test Hossain was trapped on the crease and swiftly adjudged lbw by the crooked finger of Billy Bowden, game, set, match!
England 505 (Trott 226, Hossain 5-98) & 163 for 2 beat Bangladesh 282 & 382 (Iqbal 103, Finn 5-87) by 8 wickets.
On the Front Foot
Jonathan Trott has had a topsy-turvy nine months since his Ashes heroics last Summer, but with his feet back on familiar shores Trott picked up where he started off with his maiden Test double ton and his second hundred in three innings in England. His 226 took England to an imposing 505 all out allowing Strauss to eventually enforce the follow on and lead his team to an eight wicket victory. Often criticised for his laborious manner at the crease Trott proved the glue to England's innings kick-starting his summer in the best way possible.
All Edge and No Middle
After a fine series as captain against the Tigers away from home Cook found little luck in the first Test. He was the only England batsman to be out for single figures in the first innings adjudged lbw off the bowling of Shahadat Hossain in the fifth over of the game. As it turned out Cook was unlucky to be back in the dressing room so early, hawkeye suggesting the ball would have gone over the stumps. Four days later and with England chasing 160 runs to win the Test match Cook was again trapped in front this time by Mahmadullah only for replays to reveal the ball would have flew over off and middle!
Line and Length
Five days and nine wickets later and Steven Finn is odds on to board the plane to Australia. A mechanical bowler with a conservative action Finn lets his bean pole stature and ice cool temperament do the talking. Unlike England apprentices before him who have reaped the rewards of overcast conditions or green top wickets Finn relied on persistence and skill for each of his nine wickets. In the first innings he bowled 25 overs for four of the top seven wickets prising out genuine edges once to Strauss at first slip, and twice to Prior, before clean bowling Rahim as Bangladesh refused to play to any stereotypes and needlessly give their wickets away.
With Bangladesh following on Finn was straight back into action charging in for another 24 overs in total this time getting himself on the Lords honours board claiming a much-deserved 5 for 87. After ending Tamim's onslaught Finn went about plying his trade with great skill. Whilst plugging away outside offstump Finn used subtle variation on a wearing pitch to keep the Tigers in check and completely outclass his fellow bowlers who amassed 86 overs and 274 runs collectively for the loss of the remaining five batsman.
Adrenaline Junkie
England's eight wicket victory whilst deserved was certainly not as easy an affair as they may have expected, and one man that will not be forgotten by the Lords crowds is Tamim Iqbal. His blistering 103 in 100 balls quickly prompted comparisons with Virender Sehwag and as the feisty left hander dispatched England's pace attack to all parts the likes of Broad and Bresnan may have been wishing they were bowling to the Indian opener.
Tamim's all-guns-blazing attitude to batting though is in reality a pragmatic approach to playing for Bangladesh, who one suspects will not get very far trying to grind out results, they're simply not in the same league as the world's best. Unfortunately while a blazing hundred in a one day game may be able to alone win the odd game, a moment of such brilliance in the context of a five day match will more often than not fail to sway the final result when your team mates lack your god-given talents.
England v Bangladesh, 2nd Test at Old Trafford, June 4-6, 2010.
England 419 (Bell 128, Al Hasan 5-121) beat Bangladesh 216 (Iqbal 108, Swann 5-76) & 123 (Finn 5-42) by an innings and 80 runs.
Anchor
At 153 for 4 the England innings could have gone one of two ways, Ian Bell made sure it went the way all home fans were hoping for. Batting for five and a half hours he absorbed early pressure and then went about bisecting the Bangladeshi fielders with the kind of maturity he has shown in the past 12 months. Ably assisted by Matt Prior (93) Bell took his side to 376 for 5 before he was unlucky to fall victim to a wonder delivery from Shakib Al-Hasan that gripped sharply off the surface making a mess of the batsman's stumps.
It was the temperament of 'The Sherminator's' knock that was most telling, the man who once only scored hundreds when in the company of other centurions and who had been heavily criticised for getting out when well set was now leading his team into a winning position. If his marathon innings against South Africa was an indication of his new found maturity this was confirmation of his continual importance in the England middle order.
While Bell and Prior were piling on the misery for his team Shakib Al Hasan the Bangladesh captain took it on himself to try and inspire a breakthrough. A thoughtful bowler Shakib has already taken six five wicket hauls in Test cricket at a healthy average of just over 30. It so happened that his hard work payed off and he was rewarded with the wicket of Ian Bell albeit against the run of play. The ball darted in to leg stump bell pushed at it expecting to be able to guide the ball into the leg side, instead the ball gripped and spun viciously to miss Bell's bat flick the off bail.
That bit of magic proved decisive as 376 for 6 became 419 all out, the captain causing the majority of the damage and picking up a hard earned five-for, his final figures reading 37.3 overs, 5 for 121 with three maidens.
Lone Ranger
Another lost cause, another outstanding innings, Tamim Iqbal's refreshing attitude to batting and abislity to rack up substantial scores from ball one has elavated the 21 year old to cult status as of late and his second century in as many matches has simply put the cherry on the cake.
108 from 114 balls was the equation this time around, exactly half of the Bangladesh total score. It wasn't enough to save his team but that was never the point Tamim is not selfish or unruly as many may presume he is a realist and his inspirational approach to batting is a lesson to all.
The Turning Point
The most improved cricketer in world cricket, it rarely comes as a surprise nowadays when Swanny bags a five-for, and that was exactly what he did after Anderson had the dangerous Tamim caught behind. Siddique was too easy for Swann his impatience his undoing eventually succumbing to Swann's immaculate line and length and edging to Prior. Islam was next to go, lured into wafting outside his offstump only to mistime his drive and gift Swann a classic offspinner's dismissal gripping and turning and crashing into the middle stump.
The rest was childsplay for a man of Chin's quality and as his fingers rolled over what was to be the final cherry of the Test Hossain was trapped on the crease and swiftly adjudged lbw by the crooked finger of Billy Bowden, game, set, match!
England v Australia, ICC World Twenty20 2010, Final, Bridgetown
England 148 for 3 (Kieswetter 63, Pietersen 47) beat Australia 147 for 6 (D Hussey 59) by seven wickets
On 16th May 2010 England recorded their first ever ICC global title with a comprehensive seven wicket victory over Australia. Despite another accomplished all-round display by Paul Collingwood's versatile bunch, it was England's bowlers that proved the deciding factor, who after 13 legitimate deliveries had already three of the Australian top order. David Hussey did his best to propel his side to a competitive score with 59 from 54 balls but, as Michael Clarke later conceded, 147 for 6 was always 25 runs short and England made their opponents pay, reaching Austalia's target with three overs to spare.
It was Ryan Sidebottom, to some a surprise pick at the beginning of the tournament, who inspired England's opening burst with the ball. His two wickets saw Australia slump to 8 for 3, removing Shane Watson with the third delivery of the match and after Michael Lumb had ran out David Warner for two the over before, was lucky to bag the wicket of Brad Haddin who was adjudged caught behind off his hip - albeit a mighty fine catch by a gazelle-like Craig Kieswetter.
England did well to keep the pressure on the Aussies opting to keep the ball full, persisting with a good old-fashioned line and length forcing the opposition batsmen to work for every last run. Not until the fifth over did Australia register their first boundary and with the score reading 34 for 3 after seven overs England turned to their pair of ever-reliable spinners Messrs Graeme Swann and Michael Yardy who have proved a constant burden on batsmen's strike-rates throughout the tournament.
When Collingwood plucked an attempted flick from Clarke expertly out of the air at short midwicket it appeared England's ploy to take pace off the ball was a successful one, but Cameron White, arguably one of the most improved cricketers in the last few years, had other ideas. He decided to spark Australia's innings into life in the 13th over, Yardy's third, with a six, four and six in successive deliveries, ruining Sussex off-spinner's tidy figures and transforming Australia's innings, lifting his side to 80 for 4. White was now on a roll and two fours in consecutive overs saw him quickly amass 29 from 17 balls. Collingwood was forced to react and gave Luke Wright the nod, a man yet to bowl a ball in the competition.
Targeting the yorker with every delivery Wright was soon rewarded as White lost his patience and slashed outside off-stump only to loft the ball to Stuart Broad at point who maneuvered himself well to take the catch. The less enterprising Hussey brothers joined forces to inject some last-minute fraternal fury into the innings nurdling 47 runs from 22 balls for the sixth wicket. Australia finished their 20 overs on 147 for 6, a total that would have proved more-than-competitive in previous matches, but was always going to short on a very forgiving track at Bridgetown.
On 16th May 2010 England recorded their first ever ICC global title with a comprehensive seven wicket victory over Australia. Despite another accomplished all-round display by Paul Collingwood's versatile bunch, it was England's bowlers that proved the deciding factor, who after 13 legitimate deliveries had already three of the Australian top order. David Hussey did his best to propel his side to a competitive score with 59 from 54 balls but, as Michael Clarke later conceded, 147 for 6 was always 25 runs short and England made their opponents pay, reaching Austalia's target with three overs to spare.
It was Ryan Sidebottom, to some a surprise pick at the beginning of the tournament, who inspired England's opening burst with the ball. His two wickets saw Australia slump to 8 for 3, removing Shane Watson with the third delivery of the match and after Michael Lumb had ran out David Warner for two the over before, was lucky to bag the wicket of Brad Haddin who was adjudged caught behind off his hip - albeit a mighty fine catch by a gazelle-like Craig Kieswetter.
England did well to keep the pressure on the Aussies opting to keep the ball full, persisting with a good old-fashioned line and length forcing the opposition batsmen to work for every last run. Not until the fifth over did Australia register their first boundary and with the score reading 34 for 3 after seven overs England turned to their pair of ever-reliable spinners Messrs Graeme Swann and Michael Yardy who have proved a constant burden on batsmen's strike-rates throughout the tournament.
When Collingwood plucked an attempted flick from Clarke expertly out of the air at short midwicket it appeared England's ploy to take pace off the ball was a successful one, but Cameron White, arguably one of the most improved cricketers in the last few years, had other ideas. He decided to spark Australia's innings into life in the 13th over, Yardy's third, with a six, four and six in successive deliveries, ruining Sussex off-spinner's tidy figures and transforming Australia's innings, lifting his side to 80 for 4. White was now on a roll and two fours in consecutive overs saw him quickly amass 29 from 17 balls. Collingwood was forced to react and gave Luke Wright the nod, a man yet to bowl a ball in the competition.
Targeting the yorker with every delivery Wright was soon rewarded as White lost his patience and slashed outside off-stump only to loft the ball to Stuart Broad at point who maneuvered himself well to take the catch. The less enterprising Hussey brothers joined forces to inject some last-minute fraternal fury into the innings nurdling 47 runs from 22 balls for the sixth wicket. Australia finished their 20 overs on 147 for 6, a total that would have proved more-than-competitive in previous matches, but was always going to short on a very forgiving track at Bridgetown.
Craig Keiswetter claimed the Man of the Match Award
for his superb half century
England in reply lost Lumb early, but much like they had done against South Africa in the Super Eights, Collingwood's men were not deterred, and within the blink of an eye Kevin Pietersen and Craig Kieswetter went about putting the game beyond doubt with a second wicket partnership of 111.
The renewed freedom in Pietersen's batting after his return to the competition for the semi-final against Sri Lanka was again evident. After Kieswetter had creamed consecutive fours off the bowling of Dirk Nannes and a third off Shaun Tait to lift England to 41 for 1 in the Powerplay, KP joined in the fun.
It was young legspinner Steven Smith who was first to feel the force of Pietersen's blade hit for a boundary four before Kieswetter collected two fours in-a-row off a particularly wayward Watson over. As Watson continued to struggle Clarke was forced to chop and change frequently. In desperate need of a break through Tait was finally brought into the attack to try and liven things up but Pietersen, as he so often does against the fiercest competitors greeted the Aussie quickie with a magisterial lofted drive over mid on for four and then added insult to injury making room to drive a sensational six over extra cover to take England's required run-rate ominously under six runs an over.
Kieswetter soon brought up his half-century from 40 balls punishing Nannes not for the first time with an audacious one-handed six over backward square leg. Kapes was unable to join his partner on 50 charging Smith only to haul out to Warner in the deep. but with seven overs remaining and only 30 runs required England were still well and truly in the driving seat.
Despite the loss of Kieswetter whose impact on the tournament has been phenomenal, Eoin Morgan and captain Collingwood sealed the deal in style. England had finally won an international limited overs competition and made it look easy.
Paul Collingwood makes his mark on England's
first ever World Cup silverware
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