England v India, 3rd ODI, The Oval
ENGLAND won the 3rd ODI by 3 wickets (with 7 balls remaining) (D/L method)
After a tough match between India and England at Kennington Oval, London, India ends up at loosing side again. The way it all started, though, England would not have imagined such hard work would be needed. A green track was prepared, the toss was won, and Anderson and Bresnan began menacingly. They both bowled just short of a length with movement each way. It was Anderson who produced the wicket-taking deliveries, and the wicket-taking throw.
Initially Indian side were struggling at 58-5 as James Anderson wreaked havoc at the top but due to brilliant efforts by All Rounder Ravindra Jadeja and Skipper MS Dhoni together managed team to score 234 runs at 4.68 runs per over.India’s third-highest partnership of the tour had lend some respectability to the total.
In the 44th over, with both their fifties reached, they asked for the Powerplay. Even though Bresnan removed Dhoni soon, England wilted a bit in the last five overs, conceding 60 runs. Jade Dernbach’s slower balls became predictable, R Ashwin upper-cut Bresnan, Anderson bowled length, and Alastair Cook didn’t know what to do with the fields. The bowlers didn’t help by bowling where the fielders weren’t. Ashwin scored 36 off 19 with five fours at an impressive strike rate of 189.47
From England side Kieswetter charged at India with a effortless half-century. But Munaf Patel’s accuracy got Cook, Jadeja’s arm ball accounted for Kieswetter, and Ashwin’s carrom ball got rid of Jonathan Trott to convert 63 for 0 to 89 for 3 minutes before rain interrupted play. Rain break took 17 runs off the target.
England came back confident from that break, with a measured 60-run sixth-wicket partnership, Bopara and Bresnan made sure India won’t have any trophies to declare at customs when they go back home….!!!
