Cricket Update: Spirits remain high in the England squad as they keep their focus on maintaining their Twenty20 winning streak
The T20 match completed at Cardiff was the first one after the spot fixing controversy. The fans and the cricket concerns heaved a sigh of relief that they finally got some cricket. It was a success; both the teams and the fans went on with it quite quickly.
The Pakistan captain, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482 already had quoted that they want to move on, and to play good cricket. Paul Collingwood also wants to get along with their match winning form to seal the T20 series 2-0.
After beating http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 in the first T20 match of the series, England is high on confidence. England started off very well in the first match. They bowled with great discipline and attitude. Ryan Sidebottom after being hit for 3 boundaries in his first over came back really well in the death overs. Pakistan was cruising nicely in the first 6 overs. Pakistan was 48/1. Shahzaib Hassan and Mohammad Yousuf were all set for an assault.
The arrival of Graeme Swann made immense strikes when it was looking good for Pakistan. It turned, and turned viciously for Swann. Mohammad Yousuf sliced it over midwicket and was caught in the deep of Swann. Shahzaib Hassan and Fawad Alam had no clue, what to do against the magic of Swann. Shahzaib, in the end got frustrated and stumped Swann. Graeme Swann ended his match winning spell by taking 2/13 in four overs.
Michael Yardy has been a revelation for England. Ever, since he had come back he has always impressed with his left arm spin bowling. He made a very economical and wicket taking partnership with Swann. He really made it hard for the Pakistan batsman to slip away. Yardy ended up with impressive figures of 2/21 in four overs. Yardy can be useful with the bat as well. He has made some important contributions. A match winning 35 of 25 balls in dire circumstances is the evidence of Yardy being useful with the bat.
Stuart Broad and Ryan Sidebottom bowled really well in the death overs. They were up against the talent of Umar Akmal and the reputation of Shahid Afridi, giving away only 24 runs in the last 3 overs.
Tim Bresnan, the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Yorkshire-c867 man has been really impressive. He bowls with great authority and confidence. Give him any role in the bowling department, whether it be opening the bowling or bowling in the death overs. His batting hasn’t been bad either. He has made some valuable contribution with the bat.
England did drop three catches, but it didn’t cost them much. England’s ground fielding was excellent. They attacked the ball, and saved almost 15 to 20 runs in the field. They haven’t got a single poor fielder in the field.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Craig-Kieswetter-c51708 has been low in form. He hasn’t been able to impress with the bat. His last substantial innings of 63 was in the final of the T20 world cup. He really looked a bunny against the pace of Shoaib Akhtar. He will be playing his last match this summer, and will try to impress the selectors.
The debut of the wicket keeper Steven Davies was really impressive. He showed great promise to play at the international level. Davies scored a substantial 33 to give England a solid start.
Eoin Morgan has been England’s man of crises. Ask him to win a match for England in tough conditions and situations; he will come up as winner most of the times. England was 62/5, Morgan and Yardy gathered a match winning partnership of unbeaten 67. Morgan scored a match winning 38 of 24 balls.
Paul Collingwood though, hasn’t been able to impress with the bat in England’s recent T20 matches, but his captaincy has been spot on. He knows the ability of the team. He knows the roles very well. He picks the right man to execute his plans successfully.
England, the world champions will propose a very tough challenge for an under pressure Pakistan.
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