Kuldeep hits English batsmen for a six
Indian spinner shows his worth in first ODI at Nottingham
Kuldeep Yadav’s heroic 6-25 bowling effort restricted England at a moderate 268 runs in the first match of the three ODI series at Trent Bridge yesterday.
Despite a deep batting lineup, the hosts succumbed to Kuldeep, who emerged with his best ODI figures on a battingfriendly Nottingham wicket.
It was Ben Stokes (50) and Jos Buttler (53), who showed some resistance against the visiting bowling attack to push their side to a fighting total.
Put into bat, England were off to a decent start as Jason Roy (38) and Jonny Bairstow (38) forged a 73-run partnership for the opening wicket before Kuldeep drew
the first blood, dismissing the former in the 11th over.
With just eight runs added, Kuldeep struck again to send Joe Root back.
Situation worsens
The wrist-spinner worsened England’s situation when he accounted for Bairstow, who was caught before the wicket, leaving the hosts reeling at 82-3.
Skipper Eoin Morgan then tried to nurse their inning with Ben Stokes before he became a victim of Yuzvendra Chahal in the 20th over leaving the hosts at 105/4. Stokes and Buttler then forged a 93-run stand to inch England near the 200-run mark before Kuldeep struck again. The spinner took his fourth victim as he dismissed Buttler with England’s scorecard reading 198-5. And he then sent Stokes packing in the 45th over.
There was no stopping Kuldeep now as he pounced again in the same over when David Willey was back to the dressing room after contributing a single run. Before falling to Umesh Yadav, Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid chipped in with 24 and 22 runs respectively, while Liam Plunkett contributed with 10 runs to take their side to a competitive total.
Apart from Kuldeep, Umesh bagged couple of wickets leaking 70 runs from his 9.5 overs.
The hosts succumbed to Kuldeep, who emerged with his best ODI figures on a batting-friendly Nottingham wicket.