Pride wounded as England eye series response
ENGLAND must drastically improve to emulate their triumphant Test colleagues in the first one-day international against India on Friday, says bowler James Tredwell.
The tourists completed a first Test series victory in India for 27 years last month but England head into the five-match ODI series after back-to-back defeats, including the six-wicket loss to Delhi yesterday.
Tredwell has been a rare positive with the ball as concerns grow over England’s bowling attack, while Ian Bell’s fine form – he made 108 yesterday – fails to cover up shortcomings against unheralded hosts.
“It’s obviously not been ideal. We like to go in and win these games but we’ve not hit our skills in the way we’d have liked,” said Tredwell.
“We didn’t hit our lengths consistently enough to build pressure over periods of time. That’s what it boils down to. We all have massive pride in our performances so when things don’t go to plan it’s disappointing.”
England captain Alastair Cook returned from illness to contribute 44 before Bell struck his century.
Despite posting a formidable 294-5, England’s attack failed to close out victory. Steven Finn, Samit Patel and Chris Woakes struggled to contain the hosts who raced to 98-0 before Tredwell struck twice in quick succession to stem the runs.
Former international Shikhar Dhawan dismantled England, hitting 110, and Milind Kumar, making only his sixth List A appearance, finished on 78 as Delhi eased to victory.