England vs Pakistan: 5th ODI - first innings report
The 5th and final ODI between England and Pakistan is evenly poised at the end of England’s innings at the Rosebowl Oval in Southampton. After winning 2 tosses in a row Shahid Afridi ran out of luck and Andrew Strauss
elected to bat first, after winning the toss. It was looking like a flat surface and big runs were expected in the decisive match. England ended their innings at 256 for 6, courtesy of Eoin Morgan who held the innings together with 107 unbeaten runs. England
had started very brightly in the first 4 overs but Pakistan did well to peg them back in the middle, however they did get away to a degree in the final few overs.
England captain Andrew Strauss and wicketkeeper Steve Davies started well. Shoaib Akhtar and Abdul Razzaq were dispatched to all corners by the 2 left handers. The hosts reached 30 in first 5 overs, and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482 was made
to try something different. The captain introduced off spinner Mohammad Hafeez and the move paid off. Davies, in an effort to go big, was stumped by Kamran Akmal. Davies scored 17 runs from 19 balls with 3 fours.
Next man in was Jonathan Trott, and after the spat between him and Wahab Riaz before the 4th ODI there was no love lost between him and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 team. Shoaib Akhtar went hard at him and bowled couple of aggressive short
ones. Trott was pushed back in his crease and Akhtar unleashed a quick in dipper, and knocked back his stumps for just 3 runs. Once a forgotten man in Pakistan cricket Shoaib Akhtar was turning back the clock and looked on song. He had been making Strauss
play and miss on the off stump for a few overs and finally got his edge in the very next over. Kamran Akmal completed the wicket with an excellent catch diving to his left. Strauss scored 25 runs from 35 balls with 2 fours and a six.
In the middle order Paul Collingwood had to retire hurt due to a migraine pain. Subsequently, Ian Bell and Eoin Morgan started to build a partnership. The duo put on 46 runs before Afridi bowled out Bell for 28 runs. Collingwood
came out once again to bat and alongside Morgan put on a good stand of 93 runs. Collingwood was cleaned up by a reverse swinging ball from Umar Gul for 47 runs.
Luke Wright was next to get a quick one swinging in the air as Shoaib Akhtar disturbed the furniture behind him. Eoin Morgan kept going at the other end and used the Powerplays to good effect in the end. Morgan also completed a
well made century and remained 107 not out in the end as England ended on 256 for the loss of 6 wickets.
Pakistan did give away about 20 extra runs in the end, but on a good batting track they may fancy themselves to get the target in the all important series decider.
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