Thaindian News

Southampton, Sep 7 (IANS) Skipper Alastair Cook scored an unbeaten 80 as England stormed to a seven-wicket win over India in a rain-hit second one-dayer at the Rose Bowl.

After the opening match was washed out Saturday, rain delayed the start by almost five hours here Tuesday before reducing it to 23 overs per side.

The win has given England a 1-0 lead in the five-match ODI series.

Put in under cold and blustery conditions, India scored 187 for 8, Ajinkya Rahane (54) scoring his maiden half century and Suresh Raina, smashing three sixes during a quickfire 19-ball 40.

But opener Craig Kieswetter (46) ripped apart a toothless Indian attack, hitting three sixes in his 25-ball knock, and alongwith Cook, who smacked five fours and a six, powered England to victory with five balls to spare.

The hosts, however, could not get the seam movement they were expecting when decided to field, with openers Parthiv Patel (28) and Rahane giving India a flying start.

Patel smashed Tim Bresnan over mid-wicket for two sixes in the third over before nicking James Anderson to wicketkeeper Kieswetter.

Rahane made most of his role as a opener and with Rahul Dravid (32) shared a 79-run partnership. The Mumbai batsman looked at ease against the quicker bowlers and was deft in playing the spinners. His innings ended in the 19th over when Graeme Swann took an overhead return catch.

Raina’s knock towards the end propelled the visitors to a formidable total. In fact, he was on course of scoring the fastest Indian ODI fifty but top edged Bresnan to Ben Stokes at deep square-leg.

Manoj Tiwary made run-a-ball 11 before being caught by Ian Bell in the deep with a low diving effort to his left to give Bresnan his third wicket.

Swann (3-33) and Bresnan (3-43) , though expensive, were the pick of England bowlers.

The third ODI will be played at The Oval in London Friday, where England will look to extend their lead.

The hosts had whitewashed India 0-4 in the Test series last month.