Wisden
3rd ODI

England v India, 2011

Richard Hobson

At The Oval, September 9 (day/night). England won by three wickets (D/L method). Toss: England.

India recovered from one of their worst ten-over starts since the introduction of powerplays, but not sufficiently to deny England an unassailable 2-0 lead. In helpful conditions for swing bowling and on a green pitch, Anderson reduced the tourists to 25 for four, claiming three wickets himself and producing a direct hit from mid-off to run out a hesitant Dravid. But Dhoni and Jadeja, a replacement for Gambhir in the original squad, were allowed to play themselves in under little pressure, and their increasingly brisk stand of 112 laid a platform for Ashwin to thrash profitably in the last five overs, which produced 60. As the pitch eased, Cook and Kieswetter put on 63, but the loss of three wickets for 26 exposed nerves against spin, especially Ashwin's variations. Only rain checked India's momentum, and a revised target of 218 from 43 overs left England still 123 short with 23 overs remaining, a tall order when Bell and Stokes fell in successive overs. However, the dampness hindered the spinners, and Bopara and Bresnan responded sensibly to add 60 from 11 overs before Swann applied the finishing touches with seven balls to spare.

Man of the Match: R. A. Jadeja. Attendance: 20,915.

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