England and India ready for limited overs cricket

By William Taylor

To use an age old simile, India opened up like the Red Sea for England towards the end of the test series, this summer. But if the hosts think there is any chance of that happening again in the ODI series, they might just have another thing coming.

Paypal bookmakers note how India are a proud cricketing nation, and after taking time to reflect on the demolition they were the victims of, they will surely go into the coming set of matches in a more positive, hungry frame of mind.

Like a wounded animal, they could be more dangerous than ever – and if India decide to lash out, the consequences could be utterly devastating. There are some world class players in that squad, and with their egos undoubtedly dented, they will be looking to put a few things right.

One thing is true, they do not have the burden of ‘world’s best team’ hanging round their necks, and furthermore, they don’t have England sniffing behind them like baying hounds looking to overtake them. India are third in the ODI rankings, while England are still some way behind in fifth place.

Despite this not being a meeting of the world’s top two sides, it still has all the ingredients to be a hugely entertaining series of cricket. When the two met during the World Cup, one of the most exciting games imaginable occurred.

It was late February, and with India batting first, they surged to a huge total of 338, ably assisted by a magnificent century from the Little Master, Sachin Tendulkar. England’s batting frailties had been commented on before the series, and such a gargantuan target seemed an impossibility to chase down.

However, courageous as the lions on their chest, England batted magnificently as the raced towards the 50 over target. With ten overs remaining, the English needed just 67 runs, and at the rate they were going, it did not seem at all unachievable. But in a collapse so similar to those of India’s in the recently passed test series, they suddenly found themselves requiring 14 off the last over.

India were not helped when Ajmal Shahzad, a late replacement for Stuart Broad, launched his very first ball over the boundary. England found themselves requiring two to win off the final ball of the innings. Graeme Swann, however, smashed his cover drive straight towards a fielder, but the batsmen still managed to steal a single – enough to tie the game.

Going into this series, though, those over at Free Bet Finder note how the Indians have been dealt a huge blow, as Gautam Gambhir has been ruled out of the rest of the tour through injury. Hopefully it will not take the edge off what otherwise has promised to be a feast of cricket.