Cook satisfied with decision to play through rain
England captain’s side sloshes to 39-run victory over Scotland in one-off ODI.
“Those were borderline conditions to play in,” said Cook. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
ABERDEEN:
England captain Alastair Cook saw the willingness of all concerned to persevere in less than ideal conditions end in a 39-run victory for his side against Scotland.
In their first match of Peter Moores’ second spell as England coach, and with the team keen to restore their reputation with the cricketing public, the visitors played on at a sodden ground in a match where the start was delayed by five-and-a-half hours.
England, sent into bat by Scotland captain Kyle Coetzer, compiled 167-6 in their 20, with Ian Bell making a fluent 50 and fellow opener Cook 44.
Scotland, set a Duckworth/Lewis adjusted victory target of 173, lost both their openers to James Anderson before local hero Michael Leask rocked England with 42 off just 16 balls including five sixes.
But when Leask fell to off-spinner James Tredwell, who took an ODI-best four for 41, Scotland’s challenge against their 2015 World Cup pool opponents petered out.
“Those were borderline conditions to play in,” said Cook. “But just in a one-off game, with not so much riding on it, I think it was the right decision. I think it would have been wrong if we hadn’t — and credit to both sides for just getting on with it.
“Those conditions are as wet as I have ever fielded in. It probably wasn’t fit to play, if you are being totally honest. But both sides just got on with it. “I thought the way Scotland fielded, especially in those conditions, was exceptional,” added Cook.
England were in dire need of a victory after a humiliating 45-run loss to the Netherlands at the World Twenty20 in Chittagong last time out, which came hot on the heels of their 5-0 Ashes drubbing in Australia.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 11th, 2014.
England captain Alastair Cook saw the willingness of all concerned to persevere in less than ideal conditions end in a 39-run victory for his side against Scotland.
In their first match of Peter Moores’ second spell as England coach, and with the team keen to restore their reputation with the cricketing public, the visitors played on at a sodden ground in a match where the start was delayed by five-and-a-half hours.
England, sent into bat by Scotland captain Kyle Coetzer, compiled 167-6 in their 20, with Ian Bell making a fluent 50 and fellow opener Cook 44.
Scotland, set a Duckworth/Lewis adjusted victory target of 173, lost both their openers to James Anderson before local hero Michael Leask rocked England with 42 off just 16 balls including five sixes.
But when Leask fell to off-spinner James Tredwell, who took an ODI-best four for 41, Scotland’s challenge against their 2015 World Cup pool opponents petered out.
“Those were borderline conditions to play in,” said Cook. “But just in a one-off game, with not so much riding on it, I think it was the right decision. I think it would have been wrong if we hadn’t — and credit to both sides for just getting on with it.
“Those conditions are as wet as I have ever fielded in. It probably wasn’t fit to play, if you are being totally honest. But both sides just got on with it. “I thought the way Scotland fielded, especially in those conditions, was exceptional,” added Cook.
England were in dire need of a victory after a humiliating 45-run loss to the Netherlands at the World Twenty20 in Chittagong last time out, which came hot on the heels of their 5-0 Ashes drubbing in Australia.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 11th, 2014.