Champions Trophy 2013: Bell, Anderson set up big win for England

A high impact performance from James Anderson and Ian Bell gave England a comprehensive win over Australia in the first Group A match at Birmingham. Ian Bell’s impressive 91 and Anderson’s timely wickets sealed the game for England against Australia.

England’s bowlers were instrumental as they carried on their form which they showed against New

Zealand at Trent Bridge. England’s frontline seamers James Anderson and Stuart Broad kept David Warner and Shane Watson in check. Australia fast bowlers weren’t able to get the swing with the new-ball, but James Anderson was able to get the seam movement off the surface within the first six overs which made it difficult for Australia’s stroke makers. Stuart Broad too mounted the pressure on Warner to score the runs as he was able to keep Warner under control with short-pitched stuff. Eventually, Stuart Broad was rewarded with the wicket of David Warner as the latter was caught behind for 9.

Shane Watson and Hughes steadied the ship for Australia as the duo batted sensibly against England’s frontline seamers. But when Shane Watson looked in great touch, he was dismissed by Bresnan in the 15^th over, leaving Australia at 47/2.

However, captain Bailey took the responsibility and put on a wonderful partnership of 47 runs for the third wicket. It seems that Australia didn’t have a plan in mind as they never targeted England bowlers at any stage of the match which eventually cost the game for Australia. They lost wickets regularly from 25-40^th over which changed the course of the match. Australia, finally, fell short by 48 runs as they could manage only 221 runs.

George Bailey top scored for Australia with 55 runs, while the second top-scorer was James Faulkner with 54 runs as rest of the batsmen didn’t fancy the pace of the wicket.

Australia didn’t play a spinner in this match as Bailey thought that the wicket was aiding pace bowlers and hence, he went in with four seamers. England are exposed to spin bowling and if Australia had picked one quality spinner, then England’s batting would have been tested.

Earlier, England were formidable with the bat. Ian Bell played a magnificent innings of 91 which helped England cross the 250-run mark. He and Alastair Cook provided England a prolific start as the duo put on 57 runs for the first wicket, before Cook was removed by Watson for 30.

Ian Bell soon shared a salvaging partnership with Trott to help England cross the 150-run mark in the 30^th over. He, however, was cleaned up by Faulkner in the 35^th over for a brilliant 91. After the wicket of Ian Bell, England lost wickets regularly and finally managed to post a formidable score of 269 runs. And 270 was always a tough ask for Australia given the kind of attack England possess.