An match England had to respond after the doubter and the critics voices became louder after 2 crushing defeats. There were calls for changes and already call for Cook's head despite an century in the last game. Well the response by Cooks men were brilliant as he kept faith in the same England team and after an short rain delay he won the toss and elected to ball on an nice green pitch which would help the seamers. Even though the match started 40 minutes after the due time the match was still on for 50 over match.
It started brilliantly for England as in the first over Anderson bowled an brilliant out-swinging ball which Dilshan played at and was caught by Kieswetter as they were 1-1. The mood got even better for England as Jayawardene who played so well in the last 2 matches got an great in-swinger which he could only edged for Trott to take an simple catch at first slip and Bresnan had his first wicket and Sri Lanka 10-2. An over later it went from bad to worse for Sri Lanka as Chandimal the hero of last match got an brilliant in-swinging ball from Anderson which beat him all ends up and was trapped LBW and Sri Lanka were in really trouble at 11-3 as Sangakkara came in. Anderson was un-playable throughout the spell and as Sri Lanka seem to be falling apart. Anderson removed Kandamby who poked at an ball outside off stump. He was not able to read the conditions. Sri Lanka needing something to happen decided to bring up Randiv to give them some explosive hitting. Normally an number 10 batsman and to his credit was starting to give the ball an good dash. It allowed Sangakkara to settle in and to get scoring and the partnership was going along nicely. There were an few play and misses from Randiv showing his number 10 qualities but was playing well. He got to the 16th over where he went out to an unlucky dismissal getting caught down leg side. For Broad it was an huge relieve as it was his first wicket and Sri Lanka looked as if they might not make 100 as they were 57-5.
This brought out the talented and exciting Mathews. He is known as an all-rounder but his bowling has not been used because of his injury as he is still making his way back from it however him and Sangakkara started to put an partnership. Mathews is an positive player and was showing that aggression but it was controlled. It seemed that Sangakkara was content to play anchor as they were looking to build an partnership knowing they need an score of over 200 around 240 needed to challenge England. The first task was to get to triple figures are achieved that in the 27th over and then the 50 partnership which was completed in the next over off 69 balls. It showed there intent and this partnership was starting to re-build the Sri Lanka innings. The other problem for England was that the rate the Sri Lankan were playing at was slowly gathering pace going above 4 an over at one point and at 30 overs Sri Lanka were 125-5. It needed something special to break this partnership and Bresnan was the man to provide that as he bowled an surprise quick bouncer which Mathews was not expecting edged it the ball went up in the air. It seemed it might drop safe but an desperate dive got to the ball and caught it between 2 fingers to take an special catch. An relieve for England as that partnership was broken after an stand of 72.
At the other end Sangakkara was playing an super determined innings. This was rewarded in the 34th over as Sangakkara reached an deserving half century. He looked calm and collective and didnt look like being out at any time and was holding the innings together from an collapse. By the time of the second drinks Sri Lanka were 137-6 at 34 overs. The change of ball and an small change of fortune as Mendis, the new batsman Sangakkara were starting to get some runs as they now looking at an score of 210-220 needing something for the bowlers to defend. They wanted some momentum to go into the batting powerplay. They seem to try and attack the seam bowler while defending against Swann. This was working until Mendis took one too many risks as Broad banged in an ball short which Mendis went after he nicked and Kieswetter took an great sparling catch in the air with both feet off the ground as Sri Lanka looked in deep trouble at 155-7. This was the last batting pair and England could sense the finish line as the tail were exposed.
An over and half later Dernbach, who handnt had the best day with the ball had an great 42nd over as he Kulasekara with an full straight delivery first up and then bowled Malinga with another straight delivery which Malinga backed away and exposed his stumped where Dernbach took with his slower ball. An taste of his own medicine for Malinga. Sangakkara knew he had to take risks to get Sri Lanka to an decent score and went on the attack next over as he hit Bresnan for 3 fours. His luck through went out when Dernbach fouled him with another slower ball which Sangakkara played his first false stroke and it went up in the air and Morgan took an really good catch to bowl Sri Lanka out for 174. England had to go at 3.5 an over to take this match and take this series to the final game.
With the dark clouds coming over Trent Bridge and England knowing they had to get in 20 overs before it seen as an match knew they could not take that risk with an very dark cloud coming over Nottingshire. England started off like an train. Cook showing he had an point to prove showing he is an capable ODI player and captain really started to take the attack to Sri Lanka. They were going to fast in just under 7 overs England were 50-0 with Cook hitting 34 of the runs and the attacking Kieswetter only 17 of them. He was looking to push on however after hitting another 4 in the next over the heavens did open and the players had to go out England were 55-0.
But at 7.30 the weather improved significantly and they were back on. England knew they had to get on with the chase as they knew another band of rain was coming for 9 PM and that up looked more heavy and could finish the match. The match had been shortened by 2 overs and England's target was now 171 in 48. England knowing they had to get an move carried on where they left off as by the end of the first powerplay England were 69-0 and looked odds on for victory from there. The over after that Cook was able to reach his 50 and answered some of his critics saying he cant bat quick enough getting it in 37 balls with 10 fours included. The partnership was moving at rapid rate as it reached 100 in the 14th over in 80 balls with Cook on 66 and Kieswetter 33.
As it was fast reaching the magic 20 overs for England it was clear that only the weather will stop England from winning. As the 20th over was closing in Kieswetter reached his 50 in style by hitting Radiv for an sweep for 6. An huge came up as it reached the end of the 20th over at and England were 140-0 going at 7 an over. It was now an matter of how much England win but if they win. The other question was will Cook make back-to-back centuries. The partnership did go to 150 in only 128 balls with Cook 92 and Kieswetter 54. Cook did hit another boundary as he was closing in on an century but Kieswetter stole the chance away hitting an 6 and an 4. It would have been ironic if Cook had been given the century as he criticised Sri Lanka of doing it and nearly messing up. But not even half way through the England innings they won the match with Kieswetter getting the single to win by 10 wickets.
This sets up an thrilling last match in Manchester at Old Trafford with the series 2-2. The pitch was helpful for bowling however England showed if you bat sensibly you can bat well here as well despite bowling friendly condition. The Man Of The Match went to Cook for his great captaincy at the start bowling first then using the conditions to there advantage and then leading the team by example scoring 95 NO with 16 fours off just 75 balls. The next match will be and day match on Saturday and this will be the final match on the England tour for Sri Lanka before India take centre stage.
No comments:
Post a Comment