Nathan McCullum's juggling act
ESPNcricinfo presents the plays of the day from the Group A match in Cardiff
George Dobell in Cardiff
16-Jun-2013
Nathan McCullum put down three chances but still took four catches • PA Photos
Drop of the day
Alastair Cook, who went on to top score for England with 64 from 47 balls, had only 14 when Nathan McCullum, at midwicket, put down a chance off the bowling of James Franklin. Cook had hit the ball pretty hard but it was, by the standards of international cricket, a straightforward chance. To compound the error, McCullum dropped Cook again - a juggling chance at midwicket again off Franklin - when he had 37 and, remarkably, once more at point off the bowling of Kane Williamson on 45; as easy a chance as you will see dropped in international cricket this year. It will have been of little consolation to Franklin or Williamson that McCullum finally held on to a chance to dismiss Cook off his own bowling.
Alastair Cook, who went on to top score for England with 64 from 47 balls, had only 14 when Nathan McCullum, at midwicket, put down a chance off the bowling of James Franklin. Cook had hit the ball pretty hard but it was, by the standards of international cricket, a straightforward chance. To compound the error, McCullum dropped Cook again - a juggling chance at midwicket again off Franklin - when he had 37 and, remarkably, once more at point off the bowling of Kane Williamson on 45; as easy a chance as you will see dropped in international cricket this year. It will have been of little consolation to Franklin or Williamson that McCullum finally held on to a chance to dismiss Cook off his own bowling.
Toss of the day
When the toss took place, at 10am, there was still a chance that this could have been a 50-over-a-side game. But, after a lengthy rain break delayed the start until 3.45pm, the match was reduced to 24 overs each and decisions made earlier were rendered largely obsolete. With that in mind, might there be a case for annulling the toss and allowing a new one to be taken and for new sides to be selected?
When the toss took place, at 10am, there was still a chance that this could have been a 50-over-a-side game. But, after a lengthy rain break delayed the start until 3.45pm, the match was reduced to 24 overs each and decisions made earlier were rendered largely obsolete. With that in mind, might there be a case for annulling the toss and allowing a new one to be taken and for new sides to be selected?
Record of the day
The wicket of Jonathan Trott gave Kyle Mills his 25th wicket in 15 Champions Trophy matches. That took him past Muttiah Muralitharan's tally of 24 and made him the leading wicket-taker in the competition's history. It was also Trott's first single figure international score of the year and his lowest ODI score since February 2012.
The wicket of Jonathan Trott gave Kyle Mills his 25th wicket in 15 Champions Trophy matches. That took him past Muttiah Muralitharan's tally of 24 and made him the leading wicket-taker in the competition's history. It was also Trott's first single figure international score of the year and his lowest ODI score since February 2012.
Review of the day
Joe Root was adjudged leg before by Rod Tucker off the bowling of Daniel Vettori when he had scored 28. While replays suggested that the ball may well have gone on to hit the stumps, Hot Spot revealed a thin bottom edge and saw the decision over turned. It made Root's delay before calling for a review surprising; had he known he had hit the ball, he would surely have called for it immediately.
Joe Root was adjudged leg before by Rod Tucker off the bowling of Daniel Vettori when he had scored 28. While replays suggested that the ball may well have gone on to hit the stumps, Hot Spot revealed a thin bottom edge and saw the decision over turned. It made Root's delay before calling for a review surprising; had he known he had hit the ball, he would surely have called for it immediately.
Throwback of the day
The sight of the groundstaff clearing rain from the covers with brooms revived memories of a bygone age. There are no water-hogs (the tractor-like machines that absorb water) at Cardiff. While a club spokesman insisted that the machines cause as many problems as they solve - he claimed that they damage the covers and push water further into the ground creating boggy areas as it eventually seeps back to the surface - it is worth noting that just about every other international venue uses them. Money may well be a more relevant explanation for their absence. That having been said, the groundstaff deserve credit for ensuring that a game was possible despite substantial rain in the first half of the day.
The sight of the groundstaff clearing rain from the covers with brooms revived memories of a bygone age. There are no water-hogs (the tractor-like machines that absorb water) at Cardiff. While a club spokesman insisted that the machines cause as many problems as they solve - he claimed that they damage the covers and push water further into the ground creating boggy areas as it eventually seeps back to the surface - it is worth noting that just about every other international venue uses them. Money may well be a more relevant explanation for their absence. That having been said, the groundstaff deserve credit for ensuring that a game was possible despite substantial rain in the first half of the day.
George Dobell is a senior correspondent at ESPNcricinfo