Mumbai humilate England warm-up match

Mumbai: With just a couple of days left for its first ODI against India, England suffered a humiliating 124-run defeat at the hands of Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) XI here today.

Chasing a modest 223 to win, England skittled out for a paltry 98 with none of their batsmen showing any resistance against a second string MCA bowling attack especially Kshemal Waingankar who picked up five wickets to make the life miserable for the visitors.

England suffered an early blow when Stuart Broad withdrew from the game with a sore knee and with Ryan Sidebottom still out with an Achilles injury, the visitors went into the match with only two fit fast bowlers.

The England top-order was guilty of poor shot selections after their bowlers did well to restrict MCA XI to 222 for seven off their 50 overs with Steve Harmison emerging pick of the bowlers with two for 38.

England batsmen were never in the race as they lost half their side with just 33 runs on the board and it was an effort from tailenders James Anderson (20) and G P Swann (24 not out) that allowed the visitors to reach close to a score of 100 after they 50 for eight at one stage.

Ian Bell (6) got an edge chasing a wide delivery, Kevin Pietersen (0) and Matt Prior (3) both fell leg-before, while former captain Paul Collingwood (8) limply chipped to mid-on.

Earlier after asked to bat first, Paul Valthaty (44) and Sushant Marathe (65), who was out to Harmison, laid a good foundation with an 81-run second wicket stand. Shoaib Shaikh played a quick fire 37 from 35 to guide the home team to 222 for eight.

England had earlier won its first warm up match quite comfortably and a defeat just before the seven-match ODI series against India, who are on a high after thumping Australia 2-0 yesterday, could arouse a few concerns in the visiting camp.

UNI