England have now played three matches in this years ICC World Cup and what can we say. Their performances have ranged from the sublime to the downright awful. Whereas most of the Test playing nations have managed to beat the associate teams with ease (ten or nine wicket wins being the norm, with the West Indies bowling Bangladesh out for just 58, yesterday), England have struggled. Once again facing those men in Orange (the last time being in that infamous Twenty20 World cup opener), England’s bowlers were expensive, as the Nerthlands racked up a thoroughly competitive score. England managed to force a victory, but only just.
Yet, this was nothing compared to Wednesday’s match against the men in Green. Odds on favourites to brush aside the minnows, Ireland’s victory over England will go down as one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history. While taking nothing away from Kevin O’Brien’s brilliant hundred (the fastest ever scored in a World Cup), England’s bowlers were appalling. With the exception of Graeme Swann, the seamers were totally indiscipline. James Anderson being the greatest concern, as he is now the most expensive England bowler in World Cups. How much longer he features in the starting eleven remains to be seen. Add to this, England’s atrocious fielding (five dropped catches in the match against Ireland) and you have defeat written all over it. Will they fair any better against Bangladesh and the West Indies - matches which, pre-tournament, were seen as nothing more than mere formality.
In the match against India, though, England looked a thoroughly competent side. A batting master class from Sachin Tendulkar helped India to a formidable total (one which incidentally, could have been a lot more menacing had it not been for some excellent death bowling by Tim Bresnan). At half time, lets be honest, no one would have given England much of a chance. Similar run chases of the past, have usually resulted in England capitulating. But, some superb batting from Andrew Strauss (upstaging the little master himself) and Ian Bell, took England to within a comfortable distance of victory. But, no. It wouldn’t be England if there wasn’t some sort of disaster. Opting to take the batting power play, England lost four wickets for twenty-five runs. Suddenly, with new batsman at the crease and the fielders up, things began to look a little more difficult. An ever increasing run-rate resulted in more departing wickets. It was only thanks to some power hitting by Bresnan and Ajmal Shazad that England managed to get a draw. A game of mixed emotions for all then. As while England should have won, they did well to reach India’s score of 338. Moreover, they definitely played their part in an exciting game of fifty over cricket.
Indeed, if there is one word that can sum up England’s campaign so far, its entertaining. Lets just hope tomorrows drama’s (with England there is bound to be some) ends in an England victory.
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