Finn & Anderson rattle India .... when India first beat England in ODI ?

In 2013, a change in rule brought in by MCC affected him – it ruled  that a bowler who breaks the stumps during the delivery stride - a habit that was plaguing the England paceman - will automatically be  a no-ball.

Today too at Brisbane, in the 37th over of India's innings, Steven Finn landed too close to the stumps, and his knee knocked the bail off. It being called no-ball was expected, but by that time he had  taken five wickets already putting India on the backfoot.    India lost their second match of the Carlton Mid ODI series to England by nine wickets in Brisbane. After MS Dhoni’s side succumbed to the Steven Finn-James Anderson attack for 153, Ian Bell took England to victory with an unbeaten 88. The opener was ably assisted in the chase by James Taylor (56*).

Way back in Dec 1981 at Jullundur (ODI No. 131) came the first victory against England.   In a match curtailed to 36 overs – Dilip Balwant  Vengsarkar's lovely driving, mostly through the covers, took India to their first victory over England  since 1974.  In a nail-baiting finish,  8 off the final seven deliveries was required.  Yashpal Sharma clubbed Botham straight for 6, leaving Vengsarkar the deserved honour of finishing the match with the last of many 4s past extra-cover.  The morning mist reduced the match and the end came in an eerie half-light at 5.17, only minutes before sunset.

MoM was Vengsarkar who opened with Krish Srikkanth, Kirti Azad, Sandeep Patil and Kapil Dev were the other batsman who got out.   Suru Nayak who went on to play 4 ODIs made his debut.  He made 3 runs over all and took a solitary wicket in ODI career. Do you know who captained India in that match ?

Statistically, England won with 135 balls to spare – their biggest win against India.  18 years since India lost a ODI to England at a neutral venue.  Don’t get too overawed – in between there were only 9 matches – of which India won 6.  Overall, India has played 92 ODIs against England won 50 and lost 37 – 3 were no results and 2 were ties. 

Getting back to that Jullundhur victory, Sunil Gavaskar was the captain, who chose to promote others in that curtailed match – those who did not bat were Gavaskar, Suru Nayak, Madanlal, Kirmani and Shastri who leaked many runs.

With regards – S. Sampathkumar

20^th  Jan 2015.