Monday, 31 December 2007

Opening Day Loss for England's Finest










Sadly we have to report a 5 wicket loss to the Australians – after a tense game at the Rajiv Gandhi Test Stadium today. Played in 32 degree heat, the match saw England win the toss and bat; however, we never really got going and mustered only 138 for our 35 overs. Five separate batsmen got in and scored more than 15 only to get themselves out, on a greenish track that had a touch of early morning dew about it.

All credit to the Aussies – they bowled a tidy line, were as noisy as ever and fielded very well. But, in truth, our score did not do ourselves justice and made life difficult for the bowlers.

What was encouraging was that we held some good catches – Mat Gullick at mid on, Ian MacDougall at square leg and Jamie Cameron at gulley took a blinder; our best bowler by far was Sam Buttterfield [who top scored with 22] who bowled a tight spell and took 1-12. Of the other bowlers Deni Matthews took two, and Jamie Cameron one, whilst Dave “SuperHarmy” Rhodes bowled a snorting delivery to get rid of the Aussie number 4 – knocking out his middle stump in emphatic fashion

Celebration of the day was Jamie Cameron who – after getting a second ball dubious LBW decision whilst batting regrouped and took a blinding catch whilst fielding. He promptly threw the ball in the air and shouted “Finally, I've come to the party!!”

We have a rest day tomorrow and another game – this time at the Lal Badahur stadium = the old test ground against Sri Lanka on January 2nd.

The mood is good in the camp and we know we can do better; the Sri lankans better beware…

Meanwhile, as the men did battle on the pitch, the devoted WAGs watched adoringly from the stands and kept the conversation heavily intellectual with discussions on whether palm oil was the best hair conditioner and why men needed such an awful lot of mothering.

SCORECARD:

ENGLAND:

1. Williams – 17
2. McDougall – 4
3. Gullick -16 [including a 7!]
4. Newcomb – 8
5. Dodd – 21
6. Opperman – 16
7. Cameron – 0
8. Butterfield – 22
9. Rhodes – 0
10. Matthews – 2 not out
11. Bob Percy Hall [a legend throughout Asia] 5 not out
TOTAL: 138

AUSTRALIA:

140-5
AUSTRALIA WON BY 5 WICKETS

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