Mixed feelings for Strauss as England nearly snatch defeat from jaws of victory but escape with a tie
ENGLAND captain Andrew Strauss admitted he was suffering mixed emotions after his side snatched an unlikely draw against World Cup co-hosts India.
Strauss’s career best one-day international score of 158 put his side in with a strong chance of chasing down India’s Sachin Tendulkar inspired 338 all out.
But a flurry of late wickets appeared to take the game away from England, before some lusty late hitting from Graeme Swinn, Ajmal Shahzad and Tim Bresnan snatched a point from an epic Group B clash.
“We’ve got to celebrate the fact it was an unbelievable game of cricket – probably the best advert for the 50-over format you could get,” said Strauss (left).
“There were some great performances on both sides. Both sides will be partly happy, partly sad.
“When we take stock of this game we’ll probably both say ‘look, we’ve got a point – which is an important point and go on and play better as we get further in this tournament.” Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag got India off to a flyer, the former ending on 120 and completing a record fifth World Cup century, but some excellent bowling from Bresnan, who took 5-48, at the death restricted the damage.
England were on the brink of completing a record World Cup run chase, but Strauss and Ian Bell, who made 69, both fell with the score on 281.
Paul Collingwood and Matt Prior then went cheaply as England turned a winning position into almost certain defeat.
But Shahzad, who hit a six off his first ball, Bresnan and Swann, who managed a single off the last delivery, helped to tie a thrilling game.