Two games in and two wins for England. Did anyone see that coming? Not us. Here we fail dismally to predict what will happen in the third game.
A captain’s knock from Alastair Cook and a fine spell from Steve Finn are enough to lead England to a not-as-huge victory in the second ODI. Here’s our verdict.
A captain’s knock from Alastair Cook and a fine spell from Steve Finn are enough to lead England to a huge victory in the first ODI. Here’s our verdict.
If England had beaten Pakistan comfortably in their Test match series, there would have still been some nerves ahead of the One Day Internationals, such is the away side’s perceived inconsistency in this format, particularly in Asian conditions. However, following the three-nil loss, expectations are so low that in some respects, anything but an absolute trouncing will be considered positive.
Nobody really expected convincing back-to-back series wins against India, so on the face of it, a home win and an away defeat were par for the course. What was disturbing was the dismal spectacle of an England side being thrashed in four of five matches and crumbling in the field in the other.
In the final match of the tour, England win thanks to a top notch bowling performance and powerfully competent batting.
In the aftermath of the fifth One Day International, the team at 51allout sit down for a collective brainstorm. Pencils- and a few knives- are sharpened, heads are scratched and the scorer’s notes are interrogated.
The 4th ODI was a quiet, uneventful affair. What could we possibly write 493 words about?
A strange game that swung this way and that. England looked to be cruising when they skittled the Indian top order but some excellent late order hitting and decent spin bowling led to a tight finish, with England sneaking home in the end thanks to Ravi Bopara and Tim Bresnan.
Due to the rain in Chester-le-Street that forced the first One Day International to be abandoned, this series does not feel like it is properly underway yet. Let’s hope it gets going in Southampton instead.