The Hindu : Sport : Kaif stands tall as Lions attack impresses

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 04, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Sport

Sport

Kaif stands tall as Lions attack impresses

Special Correspondent

The English bowlers showed the ability to swing the ball at a lively pace
Monty Panesar was punished by the Central middle order

Vadodara: Mohammad Kaif (64) sparkled with some fierce cutting and firm driving in front of the wicket, on a day when England Lions’ speed merchants generated pace and exhibited skill with the new and old ball to contain Central Zone to 238 for seven wickets in the Duleep Trophy league match at the Motibagh Palace Ground here on Sunday.

Handled cleverly by skipper Michael Yardy, the quartet in Graham Onions, Alan Richardson, Steve Kirby and Jonathan Trott showed the ability to swing the ball at a lively pace and work the seam to extract sufficient lift off the pitch.

They provided a glimpse at how well they are trained to operate on days when weather varies across the three sessions — from nippy early on to a mellow afternoon and harsh and dry heat towards close of play.

England Lions sustained a high quality performance on the field, completing 91 overs in time — a lesson for Indian first class teams that usually force a day’s play stretch by half an hour because of a lack of purpose and urgency.

Respect for rules

Though informed by the match referee B. Raghunath that the visitor would be penalised for slow over rates, the team showed respect for the Indian first class rules and managed to send down an extra over despite the four seamers bowling 63 overs and seven no balls.

Though the Central openers Fazal Faiz and Vineet Saxena began with a flurry of shots on either side of the wicket on a superb and fast outfield, the home team’s batsmen were not allowed to take command, except when Kaif was in the middle. Onions and Richardson — Liam Plunkett was left out — carried the bulk of the attack, bowling 41 overs between them.

Splendid exhibition

After the second new ball was claimed in the last ball of the 83rd over the two gave a splendid exhibition — Onions beat Harshad Rawle by sheer pace and length for an emphatic dismissal and Richardson removed Mahesh Rawat with extra bounce, the edge resulting in a high lob to Ed Joyce in the cordon. England Lions’ first breakthrough came in the 19th over when Kirby trapped Faiz leg-before. Wicketkeeper James Foster had an excellent outing with three catches, one of which ended Saxena’s three hour eight minute stay at the wicket to make 34.

The arrival of Kaif, who excelled in sure defence and brilliant strokeplay, saw the Central’s innings gain momentum. He rocked back to stroke the ball front of square and through mid-off and mid-wicket and was unafraid to hit in the air. Kaif lasted two and a half hours before he attempted a sweep that proved fatal against leg-spinner Adil Rashid — the ball turned almost square to peg back the middle stump.

Monty Panesar was punished by the Central middle order. Given the 48th over, Panesar did meet with success — in the form of Sanjay Bangar’s wicket — only after he had sent down 81 balls.

The scores: Central Zone — 1st innings: F. Faiz lbw b Kirby 37, V. Saxena c Foster b Richardson 34, J. Saxena c Foster b Onions 9, M. Kaif b Rashid 64, S. Bangar c Foster b Panesar 29, H. Rawle b Onions 27, M. Rawat c Joyce b Richardson 13, S. Sanyal (batting) 8, P. Gupta (batting) 4, Extras (lb-5, nb-8) 13; Total (for seven wkts. in 91 overs) 238.

Fall of wickets: 1-54, 2-70, 3-124, 4-179, 5-201, 6-223, 7-227.

England Lions bowling: Onions 21-6-71-2, Richardson 20-11-32-2, Kirby 11-3-34-1, Trott 11-2-30-0, Panesar 18-5-49-1, Rashid 10-3-17-1.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport