News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Rediff.com  » News » England trounce Bermuda in warm-up

England trounce Bermuda in warm-up

By Mark Meadows
March 06, 2007 10:01 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Jon Lewis took three wickets to help England skittle out Bermuda for 45 to win by 241 runs in their first World Cup warm-up match on Monday.

England used the 13-player-a-side format to employ all five of their pace bowlers and spinner Monty Panesar but their workout only lasted 22.2 overs because of the minor cricket nation's abject batting.

Lewis and James Anderson at least proved their fitness after picking up ankle and back injuries respectively during England's victorious tri-series campaign in Australia.

Lewis trapped Kwame Tucker lbw with his first ball, removed Clay Smith for nought and then bowled Saleem Mukuddem when the Bermudan left a straight delivery. Anderson bagged two for eight and Andrew Flintoff two for three off 2.2 overs.

Bermuda, who will be making their first appearance in a World Cup, started brightly with 21-stone Bermudan policeman Dwayne Leverock weighing in with the dismissals of Paul Collingwood and Kevin Pietersen in England's 286 for eight.

Jamie Dalrymple top-scored with 76 to steady the innings after England had been 132 for five.

GOOD TOUCH

England captain Michael Vaughan, plagued by knee and hamstring problems, looked in good touch during his short innings of 18 but strapping was applied to his leg following his dismissal.

The 32-year-old, who has been working his way back to full fitness, took to the field however for a short spell and showed no discomfort before heading back to the dressing room.

As expected, England omitted out-of-form Andrew Strauss to accommodate the returning Pietersen at number four.

Big-hitter Pietersen, who broke his rib in the first tri-series match with Australia in January, was unusually reserved after some good bowling from 17-year-old Malachi Jones and Leverock.

He then took two smart catches and spilt one as England cantered to victory.

The stands at St. Vincent's Arnos Vale ground were surprisingly empty given the World Cup fever which has gripped the island. School children have been given the week off and some were in attendance.

England, who face Australia in a final warm-up on Friday, play New Zealand in their first World Cup group match on March 16. Bermuda's first group match is against Sri Lanka the day before.

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Mark Meadows
Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.