Filed under: Cricket, England Cricket, Twenty20, India Cricket
ENGLAND V INDIA: TWENTY20 INTERNATIONAL, OLD TRAFFORD, AUGUST 31, 2011Climbing to the top of the Test World rankings was the ambition for Andrew Strauss two years ago and that mission has been accomplished with some panache.
England have every right to be regarded as the best in the longest format of the game after the manner in which they whitewashed Duncan Fletcher's side 4-0.
If they want to be regarded as the best side of their generation, then they have to add a few more strings to their bow, most notably in the one-day format.
They can already boast the World T20 title after winning in the West Indies in 2010 and they have to maintain that spot and start making forward moves in the 50-over game.
The West Indies, when they dominated in the 80s were the best side in all formats and likewise the Australian side of the 90s.
So the 20-over thrash at Old Trafford is the perfect warm-up for the NatWest ODI series against the World Champions, who will want to leave England with some of their pride restored, after their humiliation so far this summer.
Captain Stuart Broad will have some decision to make concerning the make-up of his team, with exciting youngsters Alex Hales, Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes to call upon if required as England look to launch a new ODI era.
India will certainly feel more at home in the shortest format, given their flourishing IPL competition, but Fletcher has numerous injury concerns to deal with which could hamper his chances of laying down a marker before the 50-over contest.
TWO TO WATCH:
England: Broad lost his first T20 game in charge as captain by a humiliating nine wickets against Sri Lanka and he will be in determined mood to put that straight.
India: Ajinkya Rahane has been waiting for four years to get his call-up to the national team. The return home of Virender Sehwag with Labyrinthitis in his left ear has given the Mumbai opener his chance. He warmed up with 40 in the recent win over Leicestershire.
FORM GUIDE:
England WWWLL India LWWWW
England could well tinker with their batting line-up in a move to accommodate some of the brightest and most adventurous young talent in the country, but they know they have to re-focus their sights on the 20-over game after losing their last two internationals. India have warmed up for the ODI series with three victories in the space of five days, after their disappointing Test performances.
KEY STAT: The two sides have only met on two occasions in T20 games. England lost the first game in Durban, but triumphed by three runs at Lord's in 2009.
KEY QUOTE: "We would expect India to come at us very hard. They are a world class one-day side," Broad said.
THE LOWDOWN:
England:
Durham all-rounder Stokes feels is surprise inclusion in the England ODI set-up has been a shock to the system, but he is determined to grab his opportunity.
Labelled as the "most exciting" youngster on the county circuit this season, Stokes has been on the radar of the England selectors for most of the summer.
He may well have earned his call-up earlier, but a broken finger, put any thoughts of elevating him onto the international stage on the back burner.
The call eventually came for the recent ODI against Ireland, where he was given limited opportunity to shine with the bat, because of the weather, but he is ready if another chance comes his way.
"This season has been quite frustrating with injury and I have been totally focused on getting back to full fitness and back on the field for Durham.
"Getting picked in this has been overwhelming for myself, but I am excited about the whole thing."
Stokes is a genuine all-rounder, but still unable to bowl because of his finger injury, but he can still make an impression with his explosive hitting down the order.
"I just need to add more to the team with the bat knowing I can't bowl. Batting is my strongest suit at the moment but I have worked pretty hard on my bowling over the winter and it was improving until the injury happened."
India:
Rahane has arrived from a tour of Australia with the India Emerging Players squad and many feel his call-up is long over-due.
He is one of only 11 batsman to score over 1,000 runs in the Indian domestic competition, but has been on the radar since scoring 172 against the England Lions in 2007.
"It is a dream come true for me. I have been waiting for this moment for very long, and finally it has arrived," Rahane told ESPNcricinfo
Many would have struggled to stay motivated if they had been overlooked for such a long period and seen other players elevated into the national team ahead of him, based on impressive IPL performances.
But Rahane has no malice and said: "I have focused only on my game and my performance all along. I just know that I have to keep making runs consistently.
"The more the competition from other players, it only serves to motivate you, and it is a good thing."
"I know that it is only the beginning. I will have to work doubly hard from now and keep focused."
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