Cricket: England Lions and India-A tie at 343 in A-Team tri Series at Worcester
Batting first, England Lions piled up a massive score of 343 for 8 from 50 overs, led by a brilliant century from Ian Bell. In reply Mukund scored a hundred for India-A, and, they ended with exactly the same score with 8 wickets down at the end of 50 overs.
England Lions won the toss and chose to bat first. England’s test batsman Jonathan Trott could not make use of the good batting conditions and was knocked over by Kukarni after scoring just 4 runs from 10 balls with one four.
Davies and Ian Bell then compiled a splendid 2nd wicket partnership. With the ball not doing much both batsmen cashed in heavily, making use of every loose ball and put the Indian attack to the sword.
The fielding restrictions did not help the Visitor’s cause, as Bell, in particular, was very severe on anything slightly short or over pitched. Davies was not as aggressive but did take his chances. The pair put on 106 runs for the 2nd wicket before Davies was caught plum in front by Abdulla after scoring 54 runs from 52 balls with 9 fours.
Next man in Stevens also showed good composure and slowly started to form another good partnership. Once again Bell was the dominant partner. England’s middle order test batsman looked totally at ease against an average Indian attack.
Stevens and Bell put on 154 for the 3rd wicket. The partnership was broken when http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Stevens-c91368 was caught by Dhawan off the bowling of Mithun. Stevens scored 64 runs from 61 balls.
England Lions looked well set for a big total at 306 for 3. Captain Bell was finally dismissed after scoring a brilliant 158 runs from 143 balls with 20 classy boundaries and one six straight down the ground. Bell was caught by Pujara off the bowling of Singh.
Bopara came and went without making much of an impression; he scored just 8 runs and was caught by Dhawan off the bowling of Singh.
Trego also perished soon, Taylor though held up one end and played a cameo of 24 from just 14 balls with 2 fours and a six. England Lions ended their innings at 343 for the loss of 8 wickets.
It sure was a daunting task for the talented India-A side, but the start was promising. Mukund and Dhawan put on a brilliant opening stand of 79 runs in just 10 overs to get the Indians on their way.
Dhawan was the first to go after scoring 44 quick runs from just 26 balls, with 8 fours. He was caught by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Taylor-c92915 off the bowling of Plunkett.
Batting at number 3, Rahane gave good support to Mukund and the pair put on 74 runs for the 2nd wicket. The mammoth target looked within reach.
Rahane was caught and bowled by Bopara. He scored 29 runs from 37 balls with 3 fours. Pujara came in at number 4 and just like Rahane concentrated on giving support to Mukund who was going strong at the other end.
Pujara was sent back after scoring 27 runs from 27 balls with 2 fours and a six. Tiwary then joined Mukund and they both put on 56 for the 5th wicket. But as soon as Mukund was dismissed after scoring a stroke filled 114 runs from 120 balls (with 12 fours), the Indian innings began to lose shape.
Tiwary did well to score 46 from 36 balls, but regular wickets for England Lions kept pushing http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750-A back. It all came down to the final over where India–A needed 16 with 3 wickets in hand. They ended up getting 15 runs that put them level with England Lions at 343 and the high scoring match ended in a tie.
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