England XI routed by Mumbai Cricket Association XI

Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 3:11 am

In what is seen as the worst performance by any visiting team to India, just 2 days before they play their first One-dayer against India England were bowled out for a paltry 93 runs by local Mumbai side.

Kevin Pietersen’s men were routed by the Mumbai Cricket Association XI who beat them by 124 runs in the 2nd practice match at the Brabourne stadium in Mumbai. Chasing a target of 223 the English side were done in by some good swing bowling from the Mumbai pacers. The visitors lost lost wickets at regular intervals before getting all out for a mere 98 runs on the board.

MCA XI’s K Waingankar decimated the English with his 5 wicket haul and R Shaikh accounted for 3 English wickets. The result would have been far worse had it not been the final wicket partnership of 34 runs

Chasing a total of 222 in 50 overs,England suffered an early shake down losing three of their wickets for under 10 runs. Captain Kevin Pietersen was out for a duck. The nightmare continued for the English batsman as Ravi Bopara and powrhouse Andrew Flintoff too failed to make a mark with only Samit Patel reaching double figures a 13. Had it not been for the 34 run partnership between Swann and Anderson,the damage could have been much worse for the English.

There is more reason for England to worry as thier in-form batsman Ian Bell to succumbed to the precision of the Mumbai bowlers. The pace and movement generated by the host side was too much to handle as Bell perished fiddling with a ball just outside the off stump.

Bell is the mainstay of the English batting and this defeat will just add to the English woes as they face India in the first one-dayer at Rajkot on Friday.

Matt Prior’s dismissal is also a prime example of Enlgishmens’ bad form. Prior was caught in front of the wicket on fullish length ball. Being routed by a third rung Mumbai side has further dented the visitors’ morale. As they move to Rajkot now, they will be at a huge disadvantage facing an Indian side riding high on a series victory over the Australians.

England captain Kevin Pietersen, however, downplayed his team’s humiliating defeat at the hands of the Mumbai side, who didn’t even have a single Ranji player.

(Agencies)

( This post is from an independent writer. The opinions and views expressed herein are those of the author and are not endorsed by APakistanNews.Com.)

England XI routed by Mumbai Cricket Association XI

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