da pixbet： A preview of the first semi-final at the Under-19 World Cup, between England and India
Preview by Andrew McGlashan in Colombo14-Feb-2006
England will be hoping for more celebrations, but India will prove a tough challenge © Cricinfo Ltd
As the senior sides from England and India prepare to face each other in amuch anticipated series, the Under-19 versions offer an enticing prospectin the first of the day/night World Cup semi-finals at the PremadasaStadium. The two teams have arrived at the last four in contrastingstyles; India have had few problems winning four out of four in the pastweek, whereas England were tested by Ireland, and lost to Zimbabwe, beforepulling out all the stops against Bangladesh.That win against Bangladesh was a vital result for a side that was stilltrying to bury the memories of their horror tour before Christmas, wherethey lost every match. The team had been far from convincing, finishingsecond in Group D, and the two-wicket defeat against Zimbabwe suggestedthey hadn’t conquered their demons against spin. However, the batsmensuccessfully combated the Bangladesh attack – consisting of four left-armspinners – to chase down 155.It is the England spinners who have been their trump cards. Theleft-armers, Graeme White and Nick James, have been a revelation withWhite completing figures of 10-5-11-1 against Bangladesh. With Moeen Aliproviding a useful option with his offspin, and the medium pace of StevenMullaney having been a vital source of wickets, batsmen can’t takeliberties.In their first warm-up match in Sri Lanka, England bowled out India for158. But with the World Cup now at stake, and India in their stride, it isa very different challenge. How they perform against the powerful line-up,that can bat against spin in their sleep, will be a major factor. ButMullaney believes they are now a match for anyone: “We were saying afterthe Bangladesh win that if we bowl like that again there aren’t many sideswho could touch us.”However, India’s top order has been in fine form, especially Gaurav Dhimanand Cheteshwar Pujara. Dhiman has produced some of the most flamboyantbatting of the tournament – including a 71-ball 90 against Namibia and 74off 56 balls against West Indies in the quarter-final. It was also againstWest Indies that Pujara came to the fore with 97. But the downside of theprolific form from the openers means the middle order has had limited timeat the crease. This was evident in the quarter-final when Dhiman, Pujaraand Rohit Sharma carried the score to 209 for 1 after 35 overs, only forthe remaining batsmen to struggle with India finishing on 284 for 9.Batting has become harder as the ball has grown softer, so the lesson forboth teams will be to make the most of the fielding restrictions, asforcing the pace in the closing overs is not an easy task. However, evenrestricting India to a getable total is no guarantee of success.They have a balanced attack, Dhiman also staring with the ballagainst West Indies, while Piyush Chawla is a highly promising legspinner;picking holes in this line-up is difficult. India will also be familiarwith conditions at the Premadasa, having played all their group matches,and the quarter-final, at the ground. But this is the first day/nightmatch for any team so they will need to adapt to playing under the lightsDespite their impressive form Venkatesh Prasad, India’s coach, has calledon his team to be even more ruthless. “What we are saying is why give theopposition a chance. We don’t want even the thought of coming back intothe match to cross the opposition’s minds.” England played one of theirbest matches of recent times to beat Bangladesh, but are going to have toproduce the same again to stop a red-hot India.