Cricketweb XI vs England
@ CWBCC Stadium (2nd Test)
Scorecard
Ball By Ball
England were hoping for a better showing after their big first test loss, the visitors went in with the same XI from that game while the home side made the one change with batsman Will Kerr returning from injury to replace the unlucky Robert Cribb who lost out to Rob Bowen at the selection table. Cricketweb XI went into the match hoping to extend their winning streak to five since readmission into test cricket.
Neil Pickup won the toss and chose to bat on a deck that most thought might do a bit early on, the CWBCC Stadium pitch has had a bit of life in it for the quicks this season so Englands bowlers would have been hoping to do some damage in the first session. Sean Fuller was the first to go as Graham Onions got one to do a bit off the seam and catch the edge of the all rounders bat, Matt Prior took a comfortable catch and Fuller was gone for 7. There was little joy for the England bowlers from that point as Dan Smith and Andrew Cloete combined for a massive 290 run stand, both CW Black players brought up hundreds as an excited crowd sensed another thrashing, Smith in particular was brutal early on as he went to 50 at better than a run a ball and 100 at nearly that pace, his innings slowed late on but 157 runs was just reward for a fine performance. It was more of the same from Cloete as he once again proved to be the greatest batsman in Cricketweb history, the number three looked untroubled on his way to 129 and was as shocked as anyone when he was finally dismissed by Ryan Sidebottom. Will Kerr also impressed after his spell on the sidelines through injury but Rob Bowen stole the show with his fourth century of the summer at better than a run a ball in what was his first test century. The selectors faith was repayed as he took apart the England seam attack and was also harsh on anything loose from Graeme Swann, he finished with 105 from 87 balls, once Hakon Mork had gone past yet another test half century captain Neil Pickup called the batsman in and the innings was declared with the score at 636/6. Opening pair Graham Onions and Ryan Sidebottom were the only multiple wicket takers in a side seriously lacking a genuine attacking bowler.
With the match not even at the end of day two Englands hopes of a victory were all but gone, in fact bookies weren't quoting anything under 50/1. Alistair Cook and Johnathan Trott both went early as another English batting collapse was on the cards, Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Strauss did get together and make the Cricketweb XI bowlers work hard for their wickets, both made 80 odd but it was nowhere near enough to worry the home fans or the opposition captain, a patient bowling performance from Cricketweb's seamers was working a treat most of the middle order got starts for England before throwing their wickets away, Stuart Broad continued his run as one of England's best batsman on the tour with 44 down the order but it was Sean Fuller who claimed the vital wickets in the middle order to finish with 3/61. David Kennett also picked himself up three wickets including that of Andrew Strauss, England were all out for 315 and trailing by a massive ammount they were asked to bat again.
In a shock move Neil Pickup gave the new ball to Mike Wilson to share with Nick Borcich, Wilson who has been long regarded as a genuine all rounder has moved into a more front line bowler type of role in recent times while still contributing with the willow, however is was Borcich who struck first as Strauss was out to one that kept low for 6. A good stand between Trott and Cook only delayed the kill when Fuller was reintroduced, the Blue all rounder again looked in good form with the ball as he removed Cook for 40. Trott top scored with 75 as he got little help from the rest of the middle order who could all manage barely more than the odd start here and there. Nick Borcich tore through the middle and lower order to grab himself a well deserved five wicket haul while skipper Neil Pickup took two in what was a fairly quiet match for himself personally. England were all out this time for 234 and questions will be asked about the commitment of this touring squad, with one test to go the best they can hope for is a good showing but you wouldn't even put someone elses money on that.
Cricketweb XI 636/declared/6 First Innings
DP Smith 157, AP Cloete 129, RF Bowen 105, G Onions 2/135
England 315 First Innings
KP Pietersen 82, AJ Strauss 80, SE Fuller 3/61, DM Kennett 3/64
England 234 (following on) Second Innings
IJL Trott 75, AN Cook 40, NA Borcich 5/76, NS Pickup 2/37
Cricketweb XI won by an innings and 87 runs
Man of the Match: DP Smith (Cricketweb XI)
England is soooooooo bad.
