India still winless as first ODI abandoned

Chester-le-Street (England), Sep 3 (IANS) India were in control of the first One-day International against England before it was called off due to heavy rains here Saturday.

England, chasing a 275-run target, were 27 for two in 7.2 overs when rain played spoilsport in what was turning out to be an absorbing affair at the Riverside Ground.

India, searching for their first win on the tour, looked set to end the drought after opener Parthiv Patel scored a career best 95 to guide his team to 274 for seven on a slow pitch.

Praveen Kumar (2/11) later delivered with the ball by removing the England captain Alastair Cook (4) and his opening partner Craig Kieswetter (6).

Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell were batting at 14 and 2 when the umpires called for the covers.

The was hope of play to be resumed when England was set a revised 164-run target in 20 overs but further rains ensured a premature end of the opening match of the five-match series. The two teams meet for the second ODI at Southampton Tuesday.

Earlier, Patel?s valiant effort and Suresh Raina's quickfire 38 in the death overs steered India to a competitive total .

India were off to a measured start on a slow wicket with Rahane and Patel collecting 78 runs from the first 15 overs.

Rahane, who impressed with his maiden international appearance by scoring a fluent fifty in the one-off T20 Wednesday, proved again that he belongs at the highest level.

Both the openers complimented each other during the 82-run stand. Rahane entertained the crowd with his wristy play while Patel attacked every time the bowlers tested him with short balls.
Though the Mumbai batsmen could not convert his innings into a big one, Patel grabbed the opportunity he got after injuries to senior players. He went on to bat till the 37th over and was unfortunate to miss out on his first hundred in limited overs cricket.
The innings also saw Rahul Dravid (2) getting out in a controversial fashion for the second time on the tour. Dravid, playing his first ODI since September 2009, was adjudged caught behind by third umpire Marais Erasmus after on-field umpire failed to spot an edge of the Indian's bat off a Stuart Broad delivery.
The controversial Hot Spot technology could not a detect a nick but Erasmus put the decision in the bowler's favour.

Dravid had got out in a similar style after he was declared out off a Grame Swann delivery in India's second innings during the fourth Test at the Oval. His dismissal, however, led to a 103-run partnership of Patel and Kohli for the third wicket.

Raina and Dhoni provided a late flourish by hitting 60 runs off 54 balls.

Bresnan bowled a brilliant 50th over on the innings, removing Dhoni and Ravichandran Ashwin off consecutive balls besides conceding four runs.

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