Eng Tour Of Ind 2011: News & Updates

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England ready to change script in India

HYDERABAD: England will look to improve on their dismal one-day record in India when they clash with the injury-ravaged world champions in a five-match series starting Friday.

England have beaten India just once in their last 10 one-day internationals on Indian soil, which included a thrilling tie during the World Cup in Bangalore in March.

Alastair Cook's side will be buoyant after a dominant home season when they beat India 4-0 in the Test series to take over as the world's number one team, and also won the one-dayers 3-0.

Cook, however, refused to take victory for granted against a depleted home team missing key players such as Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh due to injury or poor form.

"I don't see any relation between what happened in England and what's going to happen out here," Cook said ahead of the first one-dayer at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.

"India are historically very strong at home, and we have an extremely tough challenge on our hands. It's a great opportunity for an England side to play the world champions in their back yard."

England, who arrived in India on October 4 to acclimatise to local conditions, warmed up for the series by winning both practice matches against Hyderabad teams.
Newspaper: Times Of India, 12th Oct

 

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Bairstow century lifts England to 367/4

England won for the second time in the space of three days thanks to a brilliant century by Jonathan Bairstow (104 not out, 53 balls, 6x4, 8x6) and a dream spell by leg-spinner Scott Borthwick as the two helped it drub Hyderabad by 253 runs in a day-and-night, warm-up game at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium here on Tuesday night.

Chasing an imposing, victory target of 368, Hyderabad batting faltered despite a decent start by openers Akshat Reddy (37, 53 balls, 6x4) and captain Ravi Teja (27, 43 balls, 3x4), who put on 69 in 15 overs.

But, once the 21-year-old Borthwick came on to bowl, he struck at regular intervals making the batsmen look like first-timers. With a clever mix of googlies he picked up five wickets.

What could have pleased the England camp was that the top-order, except for Kevin Pietersen (10), got the much desired batting practice at the same venue where it takes on India in the first one-dayer on October 14.

Openers, captain Alastair Cook (85, 74 balls, 11x4, 1x6) and Craig Kieswetter (71, 86 balls, 3x4, 3x6), set the tempo for England domination during their 159- run stand in 25.4 overs on a slow pitch which merited sensible stroke selection.

Cook looked good for a century before swinging left-arm spinner Mehdi Hassan straight to the fielder in the deep. Soon, Hassan struck again as Kieswetter mistimed a pull to be dismissed.

Then, the 22-year-old, highly-rated Jonathan Bairstow held the centre-stage with clean hitting — treating both pace and spin alike.

Responding to his teammates' call, he hit a huge six of the last ball of the innings from medium-pacer Ashish Reddy to reach the century in style. In the process, he even put to shade a disciplined knock by Jonathan Trott (74, 68 balls, 6x4, 4x6).

Under attack, Hyderabad bowlers wilted. Left-arm medium-pacer Anwar Ahmed was disappointing and even Mehdi Hassan, whose first spell read an impressive 7-0-29-3, marred his figures eventually in the face of Bairstow onslaught.

The scores: England 367 for four in 50 overs (Alastair Cook 85, Craig Kieswetter 71, Jonathan Trott 74, Jonathan Bairstow 104 not out, Mehdi Hassan three for 63) bt Hyderabad 114 in 35.3 overs (P. Akshath Reddy 37, Scott Borthwick five for 31, Stuart Meaker three for 29).
Newspaper: The Hindu, 12th Oct

 

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England, India resume battle for ODI ranking during series

World champions India will resume their battle with World Twenty20 winner England for top ranking in the ODI Championship table when the two sides lock horns in the one-day series starting in Hyderabad on Friday.

India are currently ranked fifth, just a rating point behind England, who are placed in the fourth position and Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men would look to resume their bragging rights in the ODI series.

World number one Australia are also ready to lock horns with third-placed South Africa from next Wednesday at Centurion and so there is a huge possibility of plenty of movement at the top of the order.

In the ICC Player Rankings for ODI batsmen, India boasts three batsmen inside the top 15 with captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni leading from the front.

He is in sixth position and will be keen to regain the coveted number-one position he surrendered to AB de Villiers after the tri-nation series in Sri Lanka last August.
Newspaper:Indian Express, 12th Oct

 

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Ind-Eng ODI in doubt as Wankhede yet to get OC

With the Wankhede Stadium yet to receive a full Occupancy Certificate from the BMC, the India vs England ODI on October 23 could land Mumbai Cricket Association in trouble

With just 11 days to go for the third ODI between India and England, the Wankhede Stadium is yet to get a full Occupation Certificate (OC) from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Work on the storm water drainage has not been completed at the new Wankhede Stadium, which was given a provisional OC for the World Cup and the Indian Premier League earlier this year.

The need to complete work on the storm water drainage, "immediately to get full occupation certificate from BMC" was listed in the June 3 Managing Committee's draft minutes (copy of which is with MiD DAY).
Earlier this year, MiD DAY had reported that the Rs 285 crore spent on Wankhede's renovation could be a waste as parts of the stadium would have to be dug up since the dilapidated storm water drains underground were not repaired.

According to a source, there has been little effort to complete work on this critical aspect. "Nobody has bothered to follow up with the designated agency and complete the storm water drainage work. There was sufficient time to do the work after the IPL concluded (on May 28)," the source said.

MCA vice-president Prof Ratnakar Shetty was hopeful of getting the OC soon. "We are in the process of getting it (full OC). We are following up with the BMC," he said without elaborating on the reasons for the delay in getting the certificate.
Newspaper:Mid Day, 12th Oct

 

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Dhoni's India on thin ice even at home

New Delhi: It's hard to recall when India last started a home series with their backs to the wall even before it started. The final frontier, a term coined by Steve Waugh-led Australians in 2001, is barely the same at the turn of the decade. But the irony of it all remains that India are the ODI Champions.

Not even Nostradamus could have predicted the descent to befall Indian cricket in the last six months. From World Champions on April 2 to striving for a win in October, the team has been brought down to earth. The weaknesses that hid behind victories have been thrown into open by a string of defeats.

Zaheer Khan's untimely injury has exposed the dearth of quality fast bowlers in India, while extension of Harbhajan Singh's bad form has forced selectors to look for spin options, which are equally difficult to spot. All in all, the bowling that wasn't a bother until lately has turned into a migraine, with no remedy in sight.

The batting, looking fragile like never before, has been hit badly by injuries. Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag and Rohit Sharma are all nursing the wounds suffered on a treacherous England tour.

Result: first the No. 1 rank in Tests was snatched and then came a gulp that sank them in ODI rankings – England the beneficiary and adversary on both occasions.

After a month of futile T20 exercise since the debacle, India find the same English team sitting in their drawing room. And trying to keep a straight face to hide the wry grin, the hosts are set to draw fresh battle lines with an even spread of rookies in the team.

 

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Refreshed Dhoni gets ready for England challenge

HYDERABAD: He was the man with the Midas touch. Everything that India skipper MS Dhoni did, guaranteed success.

The wicketkeeper-batsman has had an exceptionally good run as skipper - whether it was for India or the Chennai Super Kings - and it reached a high with the World Cup triumph in April this year. He followed it up by helping the Super Kings retain their IPL title.

But all that seems to be in the distant past as Dhoni's men were humiliated during the recent England tour, losing both the Test and ODI series. To make matters worse for Dhoni, the Super Kings fizzled out in the Champions League Twenty20. But the unexpected loss may have done a world of good to Dhoni.

The never-ending cricket circus has taken a toll on the players and Dhoni has been no exception. "...That's the only blessing in disguise, a few days off, not that we have earned it, but a bit of rest will help us," was how Dhoni reacted after Super Kings loss to NSW earlier this month.

The 'bit of rest' seems to have created a new desire in the captain to recover his form. On Wednesday, Dhoni led from the front as the Indian team had its first practice session at the RJIC Stadium ahead of the first ODI against England on Friday.

After a bit of stretching and a game of football, Dhoni donned his gloves and had an extended session of catching practice. While the others went back to the cool of the dressing room, Dhoni worked hard at his keeping (which has been a let-down in the recent past).

His Super Kings teammate Suresh Raina was the first to enter the nets while his colleagues were still busy playing football. The southpaw practiced horizontal bat shots. Parthiv Patel and Ajinkya Rahane too had extended hit in the nets.

But it was Dhoni who was the keener of the lot as he had an extended batting session. Dhoni's body language exuded purpose and determination.

In between whacking the ball, Dhoni had a few quick chats with coach Duncan Fletcher, who has a fair knowledge of the English players.

On the other hand, the England team, who had scored a massive 253-run win over a hapless Hyderabad XI on Tuesday night, had a day off. Later in the evening, Dhoni and England skipper Alastair Cook unveiled the gold-plated silver trophy for the five-match series.
Newspaper: Times Of India, 13th Oct

 

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ODI series trophy unveiled

The two captains – Mahendra Singh Dhoni of India and Alastair Cook of England – unveiled the Airtel Trophy for the five-match one-day series commencing here on October 14.

Dhoni and Cook held aloft the trophy together in the presence of Sharlin Thayil, CEO, AP, Bharti Airtel Ltd.

The two captains did not speak anything at the function which was delayed by more than 75 minutes.

The Trophy, designed by Frazer and Haws, is made of silver with 24 karat gold plating.

It may be recalled that Airtel had been given the sponsorship rights by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for all international matches to be played in India till 2013. The Indian cricket team, minus Gautam Gambhir, had a three-hour long training schedule at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium on Wednesday. The England team which played a warm-up game against Hyderabad on Tuesday, preferred to take a break.
Newspaper:The Hindu, 13th Oct

 

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Time for England to do well abroad as well: Trott

England middle-order batsman Jonathan Trott is hopeful his team can continue their fine home ODI when they face India in the upcoming ODI series starting October 14 in Hyderabad. .

“We have won quite a few one-day tournaments at home. We have to start winning abroad now and probably we can begin that on this Indian tour,” says Jonathan Trott, ahead of the India-England one-dayer here.

The 30-year-old Trott feels it is a huge challenge for anyone to play in front of massive Indian crowds, and that the home team is going to be very dangerous at home.

“On the back of us doing pretty well at home when we played against India, it’s going to be important that we maintain that. Because, we want to be a team that can win one-day tournaments all over the world,” emphasises Trott.

“I obviously looked at their squad (India) and saw a few new players. It’s going to be interesting how they adapt to playing for India and the pressure of playing at home in front of packed houses. It’s going to be exciting,” Trott said.

Referring to Bairstow’s talent, Trott recalled that the young batsman made a huge impact in his very first ODI against India last month. And, referring to the youngster’s century in the practice game against Hyderabad on Tuesday when Trott was at the non-striker’s end, the star England batsman pointed that the young talented batsman has big-match temperament and can play his natural game.

“Well, this exciting young talent in England means a very bright future for cricket back home. It is a good advertisement for the team also,” says Trott, who played 23 Tests for 1965 runs and 35 ODIs for 1596 runs, including three centuries.

“I think that the success stories of someone like Bairstow means only healthy competition and not any pressure straightaway on the seniors,” Trott explained.

Questioned whether the likes of Bairstow will win matches for England, Trott was straightforward in reminding: “I don’t say Bairstow will do this (hitting century in the warm-up game yesterday) all the time. You have to play lot of cricket. What impressed me about this England team is the way each one complements in batting and bowling,” he said.

Trott is considered to be more organised in his batting approach at the crease, even as many of his teammates love to go for the big hits. Referring to this, this articulate cricketer said he would just try to keep going. “I am not sure whether I have to change my game or not. A lot of things depend on what the situation is out there in the middle,” he pointed out.

“I do work a lot in the nets. I don’t want to bask in past glory. I try to look forward and see how far I can go,” says Trott to a query.
Newspaper: The Hindu, 13th Oct

 

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India ready to flex batting muscle

As Mahendra Singh Dhoni & Co announced their arrival in Hyderabad with their now customary and highly competitive soccer contest, a Team India regular was conspicuous by his absence. While first-timers Sreenath Aravind and Rahul Sharma were trying their best to blend in by showing off their footy skills on the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium’s lush outfield, Suresh Raina had already shifted into cricket mode. Facing a combination of pace, spin and bowling coach Eric Simons’s throwdowns in the practice-nets, the left-hander was warming up in full cricket gear.

Coming off a seven-day break — a really long one if you are Raina — thanks to Chennai Super Kings’s early departure from the Champions League, he was trying to get a feel of the ball. By the end of the session, things were falling in place as a crisp straight drive off a spinner went screaming past Simons. Raina even afforded himself a satisfied smile, before enquiring a support-staff member, “Baaki log aa rahe hai na? (Hope the others are coming?”
Newspaper: Indian Express, 13th oct

 

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Andy Flower will play big role in India, says brother Grant

England team director will have big influence on forthcoming ODI series versus India, reckons brother Grant Flower

Andy Flower, the Director of the England cricket team, began his decade-long romance with India in his maiden Test here, Zimbabwe's first overseas, at the Feroz Shah Kotla in 1993 with gritty knocks of 115 and 62. He went on to aggregate 820 runs from five Tests on Indian soil including a career-best 232 at Nagpur in November 2000.


Going by those staggering numbers, it's fair to assume that his experience here would be invaluable when recounted to Alaistair's Cook men who begin their pursuit for England's first one-day series win in India in 26 years with the first game at Hyderabad on Friday.

An outstanding player of fast bowling since his early days as an opener, Flower matured into one of the best players of spin in the world, with his finest hour coming on the India tour in late 2000 when he made 540 runs in two Tests. Even the likes of Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh were helpless against Flower, who had mastered the art of standing at least three inches outside the crease and bring out the sweeps and reverse-sweeps to telling effect.

Flower's know-how of Indian pitches would help the English batsmen, according to his brother Grant Flower. "His presence and knowledge of Indian conditions will have quite a big bearing on the English side's performance (in this series).

He can teach the batsmen how to execute the subtle sweeps, use the face of the bat, not over hit the cricket ball, and also how to build stamina bat for long periods," Flower, now the batting coach of Zimbabwe, told MiD DAY from Harare. "On our first tour of India (in 1993), we learnt a lot about playing spin from our skipper Dave Houghton. I remember Andy used to spend hours of time in the afternoon sun and tell our spinners to bowl at him.
Newspaper:Mid Day, 13Oct