|
Collingwood leads Eng fightback, but Ind comfortable at 136/1 |
|
|
|
|
Written by Akshay
|
|
Thursday, 02 March 2006 |
Day 2 started with England in a precarious position at 246/7, with Collingwood as the last recognised batsman at the crease. But this depleted England side looked determined to fight as was evident from the performance their lower order put in. The partnership between overnight batsmen, Hoggard and Collingwood didn't score too many runs but occupied the crease for quite some time. S Sreesanth provided the breakthrough for India with the second new ball as he bowled an unplayable delivery to Hoggard, getting him caught behind.
Steve Harmisson, then joined Collingwood, who was looking more & more comfortable with the time spent at the crease. Harmisson proved to be an irritant for the Indian bowlers, as he got crucial boundaries for England. He put on 60 runs with Collingwood, gettin 39 of those himself in just 42 balls. He was finally out stumped off Harbhajan trying to go for a heave over the infield and deceived by the one turning away from him. Monty Panesar then gave Collingwood company in a 66 run 10th wicket stand, with Collingwood dominating proceedings getting to a 134, hitting 13 boundaries and 4 sixes. Sreesanth finally trapped Panesar in front of the wickets, ending the English resistance. Still England would be mighty happy with their efforts getting to 393, when overnight it looked they would be bundled out for below 300. The Indians on the other hand might have missed a trick or two, not attacking the tailenders with the 2 experienced spinners.
The Indian reply didn't begin too well with Sehwag playing one in the air off a Hoggard slower ball and spooning a catch to Flintoff at cover. England did well to keep things tight by bowling straight at Sehwag and tempting him into hauling out. Dravid then joined Jaffer, who looked very relaxed for a man making a comeback. Jaffer was very elegant in his strokeplay off his legs, at the same time patient in waiting for the bad balls. Dravid was a model of concentration and patience and he didn't seem in any sort of hurry to score runs. Both Jaffer and Dravid just waited and waited for the lose deliveries and left alot of balls outside the offstump. Jaffer compiled a nice 73 not out and Dravid ended the day on 40 not out. The England bowlers did not cause much trouble except the occassional good spell. The debutant left arm spinner Monty Panesar had a good start to his career as he seemed to have good control, though not much variation. This partnership has put India in a comfortable position at 136/1 after receiving an early blow. Day 3 as it so often does will decide which way this match swings.
|
Home 
News 
