Story England's Journey To The ASHES 09 - Natwest Tri-Series: ENG v IND FINAL!

[Punk_Sk8r]

Even Start by Both Teams!

Well we can tell you these first 20 overs or so have been more exciting than ever. Our assumption of how the pitch would play out early on was exactly spot on. There have been good shots aswell as chances. England took a well paced start to the series a bit slow but they kept ticking the scorebord, with some well messured strokes by both Strauss and Cook.

Speaking of Cook, he has held his nerve and not really gone after many wild shots, he's hit the shots that are there to be hit. Good temprement and he can go on to make a big score as he definatly has the right start of course he didnt get that start without a few scares.

As we said Cook got a few scares along the way and this is where the West Indies messed up in the begining they got their chances but didn't take them, some of these chances they will say that luck did not go their way which is a fair point, but the other chances they should have taken and it was a case of butter fingers, which can't be blamed on anyone else but them!

But eventually, things went West Indies way and they went their way quick. Despite missing many chances and not having the best of luck the Windies did not lose spirit and kept on the attack and it paid off big time for them. Strauss was the first wicket to fall, he was looking in great nick with thirty odd to his name, so its fair to say he got the ideal start, but he also got out really softly with a gentle lob to the man at cover who took the simple catch.

Despite that England still looked good and carried on the attack until Michael Vaughan got some of the West Indies bad luck, he was also looking in good touch playing confidently and timing the ball well until he went to flash at one outside offstump which did nothing except get the inside edge and crash onto the stumps, a dissapointing first innings for the England skipper!

The Scorecard

 

[saladguy]

A fairly average start for England, however disapointing losing those two wickets (especially Vaughan . Awesome presentation keep it up!!!!!!

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Well a bad start for England losing two wickets in the first session. Vaughan was disappointing. Hope KP and Cook and score runs and make a big partnership..

Great presentation Punk

 

[surendar]

That was bad luck for Vaughan... hmmm, not bad, Windies bowlers can also strike early If they get another couple of wickets, England is going to be in deep trouble

 

[Punk_Sk8r]

Things Evening Out After Lunch

Lunch came and went safely for England as Pietersen and Cook made their way back to the pavillion they would probably feel a bit pinned down for runs since the two wickets fell. But all they can do is be patient.

They did however get a few oppertunities to show off their wonderful stroke play which the crowd were enjoying and so were the players. Unfortunantly Cook didn't make it to the fifty mark befor Lunch but I'm sure hes not too bothered about that, he's held his ground nicley despite wickets falling around him quickly. Pitersen has been pinned down a fair bit and not got full monies worth of his strokes. I'm sure he will launch an attack soon as we all know his exciting way of playing test match cricket!

The West Indies then got the danger man Alistor Cook who was picking up his game after getting a 50 but it didn't last as long as he would have like and he was I guess we could say softly dismissed. He played too early to a slower ball which was well dsiguised by the bowler, this made the ball just pop off the bat for an easy catch behind square leg. England now three down.

The Scorecard

 

[MacWorld]

Excellent Graphics and Story so far punk, keep it up.

 

[saladguy]

Btw, England are on 121 and the scorecard says 72.

 

[adyhorn]

What game are you playing this on Punk?

 

[Punk_Sk8r]

Btw, England are on 121 and the scorecard says 72.

Ah you are correct, I had to do something else 9 o'clock sharp so rushed the scoredcard lol.

What game are you playing this on Punk?

Cricket 2005

 

[Highlander999]

Looking good mate, although England need KP and Bell to have big knocks.

Maybe centre the pics to make it look neater???

Keep up the top quality work, mate

 

[Punk_Sk8r]

Looking good mate, although England need KP and Bell to have big knocks.

Maybe centre the pics to make it look neater???

Keep up the top quality work, mate

Nah, I prefer them on the left, they make the page look naked when in the middle lol.

 

[Highlander999]

:laugh That is a new way to describe the page

 

[gutterman]

england going along ok great graphics and pres mate kutgw

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Well England have lost another wicket of Cook who played really well. Well England have scored more han 72 but the scoreboard says 72. KP needs to stay there for more.

 

[Punk_Sk8r]

Tea Break - A Bit of a Struggle?

Well England did have a bit of a slow pace with their batting, runs were coming slow and only 72 runs made in the first session where they didn't manage to make a big impact. Well Bell and Pietersen made it their duty to put things right and add some excitement to this match up. The boundaries were not flowing but eventually Ian Bell played some well flowing shots of the left handed pace bowler Butler who had been bought back into the attack only to find a few boundaries get hit off his first over back. Pietersen then followed straight after with some good stroke play and the fours were coming nice and smoothly with beauty and brilliance.

As this match has been going on theres been a bit of a pattern, it swings England's way for a bit then the West Indie's take it back, it's pretty incredible and good to see, one minute the Windies look out of control then their back in it. Yes you guessed correctly it's happened again, the Windies have got two quick breakthroughs for the second time in the match. First Bell departed trying to parry the ball away down the legside and was caught in similar fashion to Strauss. Bell got himself in and settled and then lost his wicket at the most unfortunate time. If that wasnt enough an over befor Lunch Freddie Flintoff lost his wicket, he wasnt particularly timing the ball too well, and the shots he did give a good whallaping to went to the fielders. He was caught at a backward point position trying to go for a cover drive which did nothing except sit in the air for a simple catch!

The Scorecard