India knocks out England in style

Sehwag power
By Anil - 23 Sep, '02
September 23 2002

India has knocked England out of the ICC Champions Trophy with a stunning display of ODI batting and pace bowling. Virender Sehwag was adjudged Man of the Match after an awesome exhibition of power hitting at the top of the order.

The England ODI team crashed to a comprehensive defeat in Sri Lanka after having won an important toss and choosing to bat. Batting first in day-night matches in Premadasa stadium has proven to be a huge advantage in this tournament, and every team that has won the toss has chosen to bat first. As it turns out, this was the only thing that went right for them.

The most experienced English players failed, with their highest rated batsman Trescothick and most experienced batsman, captain Hussain, falling early on to the Indian pace attack of Nehra and Zaheer, England crashing to 7/2. Hussain was unnerved by a tongue-lashing from fast bowler Zaheer Khan, who would have had him caught behind but for a dropped catch by Dravid. However, Hussain was attacked by a bouncer from quickie Ashish Nehra from the other end in the very next over and caught behind.

England was saved the blushes by their least experienced batsmen, rookies Ian Blackwell and Owais Shah, in an embarassing reverse for Hussain who had talked down his less experienced players before the match. Also, England's highest rated and most experienced bowlers Caddick and Hoggard, were smashed around the park by India's openers, while highly acclaimed Ronnie Irani and negative bowling specialist Giles also came in for severe stick.

After England's fortuitous recovery courtesy the two no-name players to get to 269, explosive opening batsman Virender Sehwag accompanied by captain Sourav Ganguly, sent all the England bowlers on a leather hunt. 100 runs were slammed off the first 15 overs, and the required runs for the win were knocked off in 39 overs. Sehwag, who was awarded the Man of the Match award, has re-iterated his status as "world's most exciting young batsman" whereas Ganguly, started steadily and stepped it up brutally as the match progressed. Ganguly got to his century in style, from 94 with a huge six. The opening partnership of 192 runs was among the highest in ODI cricket and was a record for India in ODIs, even surpassing the many achievements of Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar as openers.

After the match, Hussain conceded that India's batting had been brilliant and that his own side "lacked character". After losing several ODIs as well as Tests to India recently, whether in England, India, or neutral territory, Hussain's statements to the media have proven to be increasingly embarassing to his side: distastefully mocking before games, and contrite and humble in the extreme right after. He and his team will need to gather their composure before a seemingly impossible task in Australia later this year.