Records Tumble at The Ageas Bowl
Jun 2 2013
Martin Guptill celebrates his century
England v new zealand
NATWEST ONE-DAY INTERNATIONAL SERIES
SUNDAY 2 JUNE 2013
The Ageas Bowl
Summary: New Zealand beat England by 86 runs
New Zealand: 359-3
England 273 all out (44.1 overs)
Full Scorecard
The Sights and Sounds of the Ageas Bowl ODI
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England
Alastair Cook (c), Ian Bell, Jonathan Trott, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan, Jos Buttler (wk), Chris Woakes, Tim Bresnan, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Jade Dernbach.
New Zealand
Luke Ronchi (wk), Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott, Brendon McCullum (c), James Franklin, Nathan McCullum, Doug Bracewell, Kyle Mills, Mitchell McClenaghan.
Let’s get the records out of the way; New Zealand’s score of 359 for 3 beat the ground’s highest one day total by 9 runs (Gloucester in 2008; oddly Hampshire scored 242 and won courtesy of Duckworth Lewis).
The previous highest international score was 290 (India v Kenya in the 2004 ICC Champion’s Trophy) and England’s best was 288. Twice. Once against India and again last year against the West Indies. Ian Bell scored 126 in both games and Cook scored a ton in the first one too. More of the same was going to be needed if England were to stand even half a chance.
The star of New Zealand’s innings was Martin Guptill whose 189* not only beat his country’s best one day innings, equalled the highest one day score against England (Viv Richards) but also exceeded Sean Ervine’s ground record of 167* against Ireland which has stood since 2009.
So much for the records; the only question for the majority of the fans packing The Ageas Bowl was how were England going to chase this monster total down? It was probably being asked in the home dressing room as well.
Tactic one: Get off to a flyer
Alastair Cook took this one to heart. Stealing most of the strike in the early overs, he plundered 34 runs from 31 balls and took England to 50 within eight overs. Unfortunately, it didn’t last and he was bowled by Kyle Mills in the 8th over.
Tactic two: Keep wickets in hand
After Cook was out, Ian Bell took over the attack; Jonathan Trott didn’t get to mark out his guard for 4 overs. In the meantime, his Warwickshire colleague raced from 11 to 25 with some stylish and audacious stroke play... before holing out to Doug Bracewell for 25. England 64 for 2 in the 11th.
Tactic three: Don’t lose your head
After Cook and Bell fell with Trott still to face a ball, he and Joe Root were forced into a period of consolidation. They did it well; ticked over at 4 and 5 runs an over, not squandering England’s speedy start. Trott remained safe and steady; Root not so when he became the second batsman to hole out cheaply. He got in; he got out – for 28. England 122 for 3 in the 22nd.
Tactic four: Ride your luck
When Trott [pictured, right] was on 14 he charged out of his crease towards Nathan McCullum and Luke Ronchi dropped the ball so missed a certain stumping. Trott went on to be the mainstay of the England innings, batting doggedly, but with a certain flair (a six back over Franklin’s head comes to mind). His safe, solid accumulation took England to 273 – nowhere near enough today, but within 15 runs of their highest total at The Ageas Bowl. He finished 109 not out but his fourth ODI century was hardly celebrated. Despite wickets tumbling around him, his century came at a run a ball.
Tactic five: Keep with the rate
This England did exceptionally well and never once fell behind New Zealand’s score. But they just kept losing wickets: Morgan for 21, swishing wildly behind him and no-one further down the order coming close. Except...
Tactic six: If all else fails, fight valiantly
James Anderson strode out to bat with England on 218 for 8 and Trott 16 runs short of his fourth one day hundred. His first four was a lusty blow through the covers but it was a safe shot. He had serious work to do and he rotated the strike with his partner to bring him to his personal milestone and England past 250. Only then did he strike a pair of magnificent boundaries, bringing cheers from the Ageas Bowl crowd. He was bowled for 28 - his highest One-Day International score. It made no difference to the result but he played with loyalty and pride.
Words: Jane Cable
Images: Zee Images
Background
Seamer Tim Southee showed in the recent Test Series he is more than capable of causing the England top order some problems. Experienced spinner Daniel Vettori also returns to the squad and will provide a huge boost for the tourists. However, fast-bowler Trent Bolt will miss the match after injuring his side in the third test against England.
England will take a great deal of confidence from their 2-1 One-Day International Series victory over New Zealand in the winter. And there looks likely to be few changes to the side with explosive wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler almost certain to continue behind the stumps.
In-form Joe Root is also likely to feature for England along with one-day specialist Eoin Morgan who comes into the squad after not featuring in the recent Test Series. However, Seamers Steven Finn and Stuart Broad will both miss with the match with respective leg injuries. England will also still be without batsman Kevin Pietersen, who is still recovering from a knee injury that he suffered in New Zealand in the winter.