Runs galore in thrilling series finale
3rd ODI - Cricket Web XI vs England - Trent Bridge
Scorecard
Ball by Ball
The series tied at 1-1, few could have asked for a more thrilling finale. The deciding third one-day international at Trent Bridge featured thrilling strokeplay to the tune of almost 700 runs, and England emerged victorious with another stunning upset.
The Cricket Web XI bowlers would have hardly recovered from the lashing they received at Edgbaston two days ago, and the dent in confidence was very much apparent. Young Kev Gough - the villain of the 2nd ODI - made way for the experienced, though it hardly turned genius for the visitors. Watt started well with 2 runs coming from the first over of the England innings, but went on to surrender 42 from 5 wicketless overs. But although the bowlers struggled for rhythm, they were not without misfortune. Kingsley Clapham swung the ball past the bat of Chris Taylor and pegged back offstump, but he looked back in horror to see a noball signaled. And when Alastair Cook was dropped - a sitter - by Halsey at mid-off, it was clear that it would not be a day for the bowlers.
By the end of the 13th over, England had raced to 101-0. Taylor celebrated his fifty from 42 balls, and then Cook reached his milestone from 48 balls. The spinners were forced into the attack and Pickup dropped the field back, delaying the final powerplay. For a few overs of controlled slow bowling CW XI seemed to be clawing back into the game. The pressure told to the effect of a miscue by Taylor, holing out to Clapham at long-off for 60. Watt returned to the attack after an opening spell of 4-0-26-0, and Cook went after him to take three boundaries from the over. From 16 balls Cook erupted to score 36 runs and raised his hundred with a four, then a huge six off a Halsey noball.
The opener seemed to move from strength to greater strength, hitting four boundaries from his next 8 balls. And so it was a huge anticlimax for all involved when Chris Butler trapped him lbw with a slower ball. Halsey followed up with the wicket of Bell (12) to finally give CW XI some headway. Only 23 runs came from the next 5 overs and the effect of the breakthroughs was further stated. Realizing the need to keep the momentum on their side, Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood endeavoured to attack the spinners again. The latter was dropped on 9 by Stedman, but the counterattack was a successful one. Both Pietersen (58) and Collingwood (51) contributed excellent half-centuries and Owais Shah struck some meaty blows off the bowling of Camps at the end. The CW XI bowlers improved at the end of the innings, allowing only 69 runs from the final 10 overs. England still amassed an enormous 352-5 and took the favoured seat in the contest.
For the second game in a row, CW XI needed a quick start to bolster their chances. But again the openers struggled against some disciplined swing bowling from England. In particular Sidebottom was a difficult opponent, so it was no surprise when he beat Ash Chaulk's booming drive to disrupt offstump. By the end of the 13th over the required run rate crossed 8. Cloete and Stedman responded with a 19-run over against Stuart Broad, then Stedman got too ambitious when he top-edged an agricultural slog and rewarded Collingwood with his first wicket. The urgency was telling as it forced Butler into attack at the outset of his innings. He did so to great effect alongside an equally enterprising Cloete. In the midst of carnage Collingwood was forced to turn to the medium pace of Bell. It was a masterstroke. Cloete cut the ball into the lap of Swann at point.
Dauth came and went at 155-4. His dismissal seemed to signal the end of any will CW XI could muster in such demanding circumstances. Alex Crampton flicked his first ball past square leg to refute such a claim. And while Butler and Crampton battered the bowlers there seemed sufficient spirit even to tempt a miracle. Butler hit Swann for a flat six straight down the ground, so he attempted another lusty blow but the ball carried as far as Taylor at deep midwicket. The celebration of the England players revealed how crucial the wicket was and CW XI needed 139 runs from 106 balls. As the last recognized batsmen, the pressure fell to the Blue pairing of Camps and Crampton. Collingwood returned to the attack, bringing Owais Shah on at the other end, and the CW XI batsmen could not get the measure of the required pace.
Both batsmen hit the ball with desperate fury and still the required run rate climbed. Camps fell to Collingwood for 34 and the England captain would have had Halsey a ball later if he didn't overstep. As it was Halsey could not get into gear as quickly as needed, so for all the efforts of Crampton (74 from 66 balls) England closed in and romped home.
England 352-5 (50 overs)
AN Cook 118 (90), CR Taylor 60 (59), KP Pietersen 58 (51), PD Collingwood 51 (65)
CR Butler 1-34 (4), NS Pickup 1-48 (8)
Cricket Web XI 325-7 (50 overs)
AJ Crampton 74 (66), CR Butler 60 (49), AP Cloete 44 (42), JE Stedman 35 (54)
RJ Sidebottom 2-39 (10), PD Collingwood 2-55 (10)
England won by 27 runs.
Man of the Match: PD Collingwood
