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22 August 2007

India Blind opened up a 2-0 lead in the one-day series against England courtesy of an emphatic victory in the second game at Redditch CC.

The tourists followed up their seven-wicket win in the opening match with a five-wicket triumph with more than 13 overs to spare.

Set 236 to win, they reached their target with ease thanks to an unbeaten 102 off just 75 balls from Rajinder Verma.

India again won the toss and inserted England, who tried to get off to a quicker start than in the first game and reached 92 for two at the first drinks break after 13 overs.

Dan Field was sent up the order but, despite his early loss, again caught on the drive, his running for Nathan Foy with Rory Field resulted in a healthy run-rate.

The loss of Foy, caught at backward square-leg for 50 three balls before the break, was decisive.

The innings lost momentum and there were six run-outs. Despite Sugg and Swanepoel both scoring 28, the only other substantial partnership was 54 for the ninth wicket between Jagdisch Pata and Joe Harrison.

The early momentum had disrupted the rhythm of the opening bowlers but England still fell short of setting India a testing target.

India reached 113 for two by the first break for the loss of the openers Ashish Negi and Subhash Boya, who got off to a fine start with four boundaries.

This brought together Shakhar Naik, who hit a blistering 65 in the first match of the series, and Verma.

Naik set off at a rapid pace again with four boundaries off his first eight balls, but he fell for 20 to Field.

Verma, though, set himself to see his side through to victory, a feat he achieved in some style.

Scorecard - England Blind v India Blind, 2nd ODI, Aug 22 2007 (87 KB)