England kick off India tour

England played their first game of their Indian tour today, against the Cricket Club of India President’s XI, but wasted their good start.

The match is a 16-a-side affair, with both sides able to use their full squads. England won the toss and chose to bat with an unfamiliar opening pair, Matt Prior promoted to the top with Trescothick back at the hotel with Liam Plunkett.

The opening bowlers, Verma and Abid Nadi, caused problems for them both, and Prior soon inside edged one onto his stumps. Once they were out of the attack, Vaughan and Strauss were able to get into their stride. They shared a century stand, full of boundaries. Strauss’ 51 was more than he scored in two tests in Pakistan, and Vaughan brought up his 50 with a sublime straight six straight after lunch.

Both went shortly after the lunch break, giving a chance for Ian Bell and Kevin Pietersen to show what they could do. Pietersen, and later Flintoff, both made starts, but failed to capitalise on them, trying one big shot too many.

From 203-5, Bell and Collingwood moved England along with a sensible partnership of 60. Bell was particularly impressive, playing the spinners with ease after a nervous start, and punishing anything off-length from the seam bowlers. Despite the rash charge which lead to his stumping, he could be a key figure for England in this series, perhaps in a Graham Thorpe-esque role.

Once Bell had gone, the tail collapsed. Jones and Blackwell both made just one, and genuine tailenders Hoggard and Panesar made three, but their real business starts with the ball tommorrow.

England will be disappointed with this batting performance, but it is there first game on tour, but they still have time to improve before the first Test.

England 299 all out
Ian Bell 78, Michael Vaughan 54, Andrew Strauss 51
H Waingankar 3-53