Uzair Rizvi, BeyondHeadlines
England defeated India by three wickets under the D/L method in the third ODI at the Brit Oval, London.
India just cannot seem to win any game on this tour, the losing saga continues, as it is becoming a disastrous summer in England for India.
England got off to another rollicking start with 63 runs in 10 overs.Cook seemed to be steady while Kieswetter was taking the charge on the bowlers.
Cook fell to a straight delivery from Munaf Patel, trapped in front of his stumps for 23.
Courtesy: Getty images
Trott came in next and struggled to get going. Kieswetter on the other hand kept up the flow of runs reaching his half-century in just 46 balls.
Jadeja and Ashwin landed India a double breakthrough as Kieswetter (51) was bowled by Jadeja and immediately Trott (11) followed him after being undone by a beautiful wrong ‘un from Ashwin.
It started to drizzle forcing the game to take a halt and England were 5 runs ahead of D/L par score.
Fortunately, for India rain stopped and the play resumed with the revised target of 218 from 43 overs for England.
Bell and Stokes gathered some quick runs with fast running and an odd boundary.
Superb reflexes from Dhoni got Bell (23) as he inflicted a run-out.
Stokes (20) tried to sweep the ball but missed the full pitcher from Ashwin.
The balance shifted in favor of India as it was left upon the last recognized batting pair of Bopara and Bresnan to see off the things. And they better did it, with a partnership of 60 runs coming at an important phase for England.
Jadedja came back to get out Bresnan (28).
England needed 17 from 18 balls, and they opted for batting power play, which was reduced to three overs because of revised score. They scored 8 runs in the over with singles and doubles.
They now required 9 from 12 and Ashwin with a superb off-spin got Bopara (40) making it tense for England at the last moment.
Swann dispatched Munaf for four in the second last over leaving the scores level and nudged the next delivery to mid-off to snatch a quick single after fumble from R.P.Singh.
Ashwin grabbed 3 wickets, while Jadeja got 2 and Patel though expensive picked up one wicket.
Earlier England won the toss and choose to bowl first, as the grassy Oval track greeted India dangerously. James Anderson featuring in his 150th International ODI picked up vital three wickets and affected a run-out.
Anderson struck as early in his first over to remove Rahane for duck. A few over’s later he ran-out Dravid for 2 .Soon 9/2 became 13/3 as Anderson hit the timber with Parthiv Patel (3) playing across the line and missing the ball.
An extended spell of him saw him picking up the wicket of Kohli (7) who edged one back to the keeper.
Raina (21) got the start before an atrocious shot lead him back to the pavilion.
India needed rescuing and they found two cool heads in Dhoni and Jadeja (making a comeback), who played sensible cricket. The net run-rate was still under four and then both the batsmen decided to break the shatters and go for some boundaries after seeing off England’s prime offy Graeme Swann.
The pair added a century stand of 112 runs as both the batsmen completed their half-centuries.
With the induction of batting power play, Dhoni (69) lost his wicket at the crucial juncture.
Ashwin quick-fired 36 in just 19 deliveries gave India a fighting total.
Jadeja top scored with 78 before perishing in the last over of the innings.
Anderson was the chief-in-tormentor for India for striking some early blows as he picked up 3 wickets.Broad,Bresnan and Dernbach all picked up one wicket.
Swann though did not scalp any victim but was very economical with the figures of giving just 31 runs in his quota of 10 overs.
Dhoni said that the revised target did not work in favor of India and the break tilted the things towards the English while Cook was pleased with the way England played overall and handled the pressure. He also praised Bopara for his important knock.
Ravindra Jadeja was adjudged Man-Of-The Match for his overall performance with the bat and ball.
The Win means that England will not loose the series, as they are 2-0 up in the five ODI match series with the first match being called off due to rain.
It would be interesting to see where India will go on from here, a final comeback or England will inflict a Tour whitewash on India.
The Fourth ODI is at Lord’s on 11 September.
