Mumbai: A terrific fight back by England XIs middle order lead by a brilliant century by Jonny Bairstow (118) took the team’s total to 338/6 against Mumbai A at the end of the first day’s play at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Mumbai. Eoin Morgan (76) and Samit Patel (59*) were the other two main contributors for England XI.
Stuard Broad who is captaining the side in the absence of Alastair Cook won the toss and decided to bat first. England’s young opener Nick Compton got out in the fifth over of the match. Jonathan Trott who made a half-century in the previous warm-up game made 28 runs before getting out to Kshemal Waingankar. Joe Root followed soon, he also made 28 runs, Ian Bell failed in this match as well scoring only four runs.
England XI reeling at 66-4 were in dire need of a partnership and that’s exactly what they got as Eoin Morgan and Bairstow put up a partnership of 156 runs for the fifth wicket. Both players in the partnership played attacking cricket and completed their half-centuries. Morgan got out to Shardul Thakur and last match’s centurion Samit Patel.
Patel once again looked in good touch and middle everything that came his way, he made a quick fire fifty. Bairstow after completing his ton got out in the dying minutes of the day.
Patel and Stuart Broad (6*) were on the crease before the play was stopped.
Brief Score:
England XI: 338/5 (Bairstow 118, Morgan 76, Patel 59*, Waingankar 2-68)
By Indian Sports News Network