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England too good for MCA

Special Correspondent

Flintoff’s knock contains three sixes and 12 boundaries
Shah and Flintoff put on 133 runs for the fourth wicket

MUMBAI: Andrew Flintoff freed his shoulders for an 85-ball unbeaten 100 against Mumbai Cricket Association XI. He then picked up a wicket for England and took a catch at slip as the tourist won by 122 runs in a 12-per side one-day match at the Brabourne Stadium.

Replying to England’s 297 for four, the local team, aiming to play out the stipulated 50 overs was restricted to 175 for eight. England skipper Kevin Pietersen used eight bowlers in all.

Missed chances

Flintoff waded into the bowling after MCA messed up two chances, both off leg-break bowler Dinesh Salunkhe — one of Shane Warne’s surprise weapons for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL.

First, MCA wicketkeeper Sufiyan Sheikh missed a stumping chance and then a catch at deep mid-wicket off a slog sweep was missed.

The burly England all-rounder hit three sixes and 12 boundaries, two sixes off Salunkhe landing on the roof. “I enjoyed spending time at the wicket and Owais showed why he is rated a fine player of spin,” he said later.

Handling spin

Owais Shah appeared comfortable against the spinners, lashing 83 off 99 balls (6x4, 1x6) as England punished MCA for fielding errors, putting on 133 runs in a fourth wicket stand with Flintoff.

Sufiyan picked up two wickets later, teaming up with ex-Test spinner Nilesh Kulkarni (10-1-40-1) to send back Pietersen, but the visitor was in control in the slog phase.

The last 10 overs yielded 122 runs, resulting in a huge target for MCA.

The MCA batsmen focussed on just surviving 50 overs against an international attack. Abhijit Shetye (50, 118b, 4x4) and Sushant Marathe (33, 99b) were willing to stay in the middle but MCA was never in the hunt.

Latching on

Flintoff latched onto a slip catch when James Anderson’s movement induced an edge from opener Rohan Bagade. He then came on to bowl Brijesh Poojary for his only wicket in six overs.

Anderson and left-arm spinner Samit Patel picked up three wickets and two wickets respectively.

England’s next game is on Tuesday against MCA XI at the same venue.

The scores: England 297 for four in 50 overs (I. Bell 58, O. Shah 83, A. Flintoff 100 not out) bt MCA XI 175 for eight in 50 overs (A. Shetye 50).

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