India vs. England, One-off T20 International: Review

Posted on October 30, 2011 by Matt H in T20

India 120/9 (20 overs) Raina 39, Finn 3-22

England 121/4 (18.4 overs) Pietersen 53

England won by 6 wickets

 

In a word

Hurrah!

In a sentence

In the final match of the tour, England win thanks to a top notch bowling performance and powerfully competent batting.

In a paragraph

England were on top from the moment Steven Finn had Ajinkya Rahane caught behind in the first over. Both Finn and Tim Bresnan bowled splendidly, neither going for more than five and a half runs per over. Although Bresnan has had a trying tour, Finn has been England’s most reliable player and his 3-22 was possibly deserving of the Man of the Match award. Suresh Raina briefly shone with a brisk 39, but India always looked to be struggling. By the time Ravi Bopara took a two-wicket maiden, not even MS Dhoni looked able to take his side to a sizable total. And to cap it all, England finally managed to dismiss Dhoni- run out on the final ball of the innings. At the halfway mark, we were pleased but not confident. But Kevin Pietersen, with help from the rest of the batsmen who all reached double figures (Jonny Bairstow aside), had few problems. This was a joyful Pietersen innings, characterised by a switch-hit six off Yusuf Pathan; he remains, on his day, an awesome batsman.

Outlook

England head home from what was a pretty miserable tour with a welcome couple of months off until they next play. However Steven Finn is heading to New Zealand to play for Otago, which really pleases us. Meanwhile India host the West Indies: the first Test starts in Delhi next Sunday.