India defeated a brave England by 5 runs in the final of a rain affected ICC Champions Trophy final at Edgbaston. Play didn’t commence until four o’clock due to the horrid weather, which reduced the game to 20 overs but with 50 over rules.
England won the toss and decided to field first, and this proved a decent decision to begin with as Broad bowled Sharma on 9 runs to make it 19-1 off 3.5 overs. A short rush of wickets tumbled as India were standing at a measly 66-5 off 12 overs. A late partnership built between Kohli and Ashwin as England struggled to find their sixth wicket. Eventually Anderson managed to find his maiden wicket of the match to break the India resistance and make it 113-6. Ashwin was run out late on as India finished with a reasonable score of 129-7 of their 20 overs.
England should have believed this was a relatively easy chase to win, and many would have perhaps considered the hosts favourites for victory, But the England innings began slowly and it wasn’t long before Captain Alistair Cook was gone, with the score just 3-1. Jonathan Trott was looking in good form until he was stumped magnificently by Dhoni. Root and bell soon followed and England, very much like India in their innings, looked in trouble at 46-4. The brilliance of Bopara and Morgan did settle the ship and England all of a sudden look comfortable, after 17 overs the side only needed 26 runs to win.
But the 18th over changed the concept once again as the pendulum of glory again swung back towards the visitors. Sharma’s second delivery was smashed for 6 by Morgan so the India field moved in closer and this worked in their favour as Sharma not only get Morgan out, but also Bopara next ball.
England looked all over the shop, two new batsmen at the crease that aren’t known to well for their batting ability. Both Buttler and Bresanan however failed to contribute much and the 19th over ended 115-8, with England needing 15 to win their maiden one day trophy. Tredwell and Broad managed to give England fans some hope with a couple of boundaries. England needed a six off the final delivery and unfortunately poor James Tredwell gave it a swing and a miss.
India and all their support (the majority of the stadium) could celebrate yet another competition triumph and to be honest were the best side in the tournament. For England, the hunt for one day glory goes on…
Liam Richner 