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Close shave for England against Canada

By Pti

Fatullah (Bangladesh), Feb 16 (PTI) Stuart Broad''sfive-wicket haul saved England the blushes as they survived anunexpected assault from little-known Rizwan Cheema, to eke outa narrow 16-run win over minnows Canada in a World Cup warm-upmatch here today.

After a three-wicket burst in his opening spell, Broad,on his return to competitive cricket, came back to pick up twomore wickets, including the important one of Cheema, to pavethe way for England''s victory.

Chasing 243, things went along expected line as, Englandled by Ajmal Shahzad and Broad, reduced the Canadian upstartsto 28 for five by the eighth over.

Cheema, in the company of Zubin Surkari, steadied theship with a sixth-wicket stand of 68, before the latter fellto Michael Yardy. The Pakistan-born Cheema (93 off 71 balls)then added another 60 runs for the seventh wicket with KhurramChohan (44) to brighten his team''s hopes of causing an upsetat the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium.

However, the 32-year-old right-hander''s dismissal at acrucial juncture off the bowling of Broad undid all the work.

Cheema''s knock was laced with 10 boundaries and fivemassive sixes.

Chohan, in the company of Hiral Patel Harvir Baidwan,tried his best, but their efforts went in vain as Englandwrapped up the tail with almost four overs to go.

Chohan faced 74 balls during his 111-minute stay at thecrease and hit three fours and a six.

What did not help Canada''s cause was that their top fivebatsmen managed just 17 runs between them.

Opting to bat first, England lost skipper Andrew Straussin the second over of the match.

The ploy to promote Kevin Pietersen to the top of theorder did not really work as the maverick batsman managed just24.

Ian Bell and Paul Collingwood flopped but Jonathan Trottand Matthew Prior notched up contrasting half-centuries tolift England to a respectable total.

While Prior hit four boundaries and a six during his81-ball innings, Trott cleared the fence four times and faceda delivery extra.

For Canada, Chohan and Baidwan picked up three wicketsapiece, while Henri Osinde finished with a couple.

Brief scores:

England 243 all out (Prior 78, Trott 57; Chohan 3-34,Baidwan 3-50).

Canada 227 all out (Cheema 93; Broad 5-37).

Story first published: Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 18:30 [IST]
Other articles published on Feb 16, 2011