da bet nacional： England XI had a good outing today at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai
Santhosh S19-Nov-2001England XI had a good outing today at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.On the second and final day of the two-day match against MumbaiCricket Association President’s XI, played on Monday, England XIamassed 370/3 in 90 overs, in reply to MCA XI’s 373/5. The match endedin a predictable draw.England got off to a solid start in the morning. Marcus Trescothickwas as always in an attacking mood, pulling the medium-pacer AavishkarSalvi for a six. Trescothick played some cracking shots to the fenceas the bowlers erred in line and length. In contrast, Mark Butcherfound the attack not to his liking. He made batting look a difficulttask and inched forward as if treading through a minefield.Trescothick was the star of the morning’s play, using his feet totackle the spinners and showing positive approach. He walked down thetrack and smacked two huge sixes over long-on off the bowling ofNilesh Kulkarni to move from 48 to 60. The Somerset opener lost hiswicket to aggression, going for a sweep of Ramesh Powar and top-edgingthe ball to Kambli at square leg. Trescothick made 60 off 68 ballswith the help of three sixes and six boundaries.Michael Vaughan didn’t do any better than Butcher; he was verytentative in his brief stay in the middle. Vaughan (2) pushed forwardat a delivery from Kulkarni and the faint edge was well taken bywicketkeeper Abhijit Shetye.Nasser Hussain walked in to join Butcher at the score of 91/2 andimmediately made his intentions clear by lofting Kulkarni for four.Soon after the luncheon break Butcher (33 off 104 balls) put an end tohis misery by running himself out. Thorpe joined Hussain and the twomost experienced batsmen in the side went on about their task withoutany fuss. There was nothing in the bowling to suggest that they werethreatening to take a wicket.Hussain and Thorpe punished the bowling all around the park. Hussainwas the aggressive of the two, smashing his way to 70 retired hurt off125 balls, which included seven boundaries and three huge sixes.Thorpe was keen on gathering the runs, waiting for the ball till thelast moment to play it on both sides of the wicket. The amount of timethat is this stylish left-hander from Surrey has to play the strokesis amazing to see.Thorpe made 45 off 83 balls, striking four boundaries and took EnglandXI to 232/3 at the tea break. Thorpe too retired hurt to pave way forCraig White and Mark Ramprakash to have a go after the tea break.England XI scored 138 runs off the 28 overs, which was also the fourthwicket partnership between the two batsmen. Ramprakash remainedunbeaten on 58 off 96 balls, striking five boundaries. The highlightof the session’s play was the explosive batting by Craig White.The Yorkshire all-rounder struck five huge sixes and seven boundariesin his whirlwind unbeaten knock of 79 runs off 73 balls. White wassimply superb against the spinners, using his feet to smack the ballhigh and over the fielders. Ramprakash too played a fine hand, showinggood technique against the spin trio.England can take heart from the performance of their batsmen, whichwill be crucial in the Test series. Trescothick, Hussain, Thorpe,Ramprakash and White are all in good form. Unlike many visiting teamswho struggle in the tour opener, England showed lot of resolve andcharacter on a hot Monday afternoon, giving away nothing to the homeside.