Bresnan and Wright rescue England

Ranjan ANANDAPPA reporting from South Africa

Tim Bresnan and Luke Wright restored some authority to the England’s batting with a 107 run partnership off 121 deliveries as England reached 257 in 47.4 overs England could not make use of the batting power play as in the first ball they lost Graham Swan run out. Tim Bresnan brought into the side after Stuart Broad was declared unfit took England from a perilous 101 for 6 in the 20.2 over to 251 for 9.

The wicket was a good one, seemed ideal for batting, but it had the occasional bounce to unsettle the batsmen. Strauss won the toss and elected to bat first. Ponting too agreed that he would have batted first if he had called correct. In two overs sent by Lee and Siddle England reached 15. Peter Siddle got more life from the wicket than Lee and troubled both openers with the occasional bouncer. England skipper then turned one to mid wicket for James Hopes to take a tumbling catch at short mid wicket., and Owais Shah followed suit when he was caught behind by Tim Paine .

23 year old opener Joe Denley started off well with a composed start, with a solid defence and a touch of aggression and showed that he was a good investment for England as an opener. In form Paul Collingwod joined by Denley somewhat revived the Innings. Collingwood struck two fours and a six off a James Hopes over and took 15 runs off Mitchell Johnson. Denley and Collingwood added 54 runs off 48 deliveries.

Collingwood who was shaping well with a good alliance with Denley trying to hook left armer Johnson in the 12th over gloved one to Tim Paine to give his third catch behind the stumps.

Australia’s fielding was exceptionally good, besides James Hopes who took a sharp catch to dismiss the England captain dropped an easy chance offered by Eoin Morgan at deep mid wicket. However, Morgan did not last long when he gave the Australian wicket keeper Tim Paine who came as a replacement for regular keeper Brad Haddin his fourth catch. Centurion, South Africa, Friday,