| ODI England Vs Pakistan | |
Michael Vaughan |
Things could hardly have
started better for Michael Vaughan's debut as England's one-day
captain. He won the toss, elected to bat on a dry wicket and the
scoreboard ticked along merrily for quite some time. It looked like the Pakistan bowlers would be on the receiving end of some considerable stick, but one by one our batsmen got in and just as quickly got out. After only a few overs it became clear that the |
| ball was quickly getting
softer and the wicket lower so anything around 230 would have been
more than acceptable. Unfortunately England lost their way in the middle of the order and our inexperience showed through a few rash shots. Pakistan bowled well and kept up the pressure and but for an excellent and controlled knock by Andrew Flintoff would have skittled us for far fewer than the 204 we eventually managed. It was disappointing that none of the lads who got in went on to have a big knock while the younger lads hopefully will have learnt from the experience because in international cricket you have to learn quickly or be exposed. After Paksitan got off to a good start, we bowled well and fielded magnificently led by the captain and a sensational run out. By the three-quarter mark we were back in it, in no small part due to the excellent bowling of Flintoff in his comeback game. James Anderson also struck in his second spell and took three wickets at a time when it is never easy, but Pakistan held on for a two-wicket win. The atmosphere at Old Trafford was unbelievable and it was like being in Lahore or Karachi - a really good day out although our total did not prove an insurmountable one for Pakistan's new side. It will not get easier for England because the Rawalpindi Express in the shape of Shaoib is due to return to the side and we desperately need to win at The Oval this weekend. |
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