England vs India, 6th ODI, The Oval

In a nail-biting contest at The Oval India clinched the narrowest of wins to level the series and set it up for a tense match at Lord’s this weekend.

England’s top order failed, but strong batting from Bell and Pietersen put them back on track. Two run outs – one of them the subject of some controversy when Umpire Peter Hartley reversed his decision after seeing a replay – seemed certain to restrict England to a mediocre score until debutant Luke Wright blasted a 50 from 39 balls. Shah added to India’s woe with an unbeaten 107 from 95, featuring 2 sixes, but it was Dimitri Mascarenhas who again stole the show with 5 consecutive sixes in the final over.

India needed to bat brilliantly to stay in the series, and they did so from the very beginning of their innings. Tendulkar and Ganguly put on 150 runs for the first wicket, and Tendulkar was again prevented from celebrating a century when he drove a Monty Panesar delivery into the welcoming hands of Paul Collingwood.

India’s run chase was relentless however, and despite a wobble in the middle of the innings they never allowed the run-rate to get much above 6 until the final few overs. In the end it was Robin Uthappa who saw India home with just two balls spare. His 47 was inventive and bold, and he looks very comfortable batting down the order.

Another fantastic match then, with great performances from both sides. England must be cursing the absence of Flintoff: 10 tight overs from him may well have sealed the series, although had he been included then Luke Wright would not have been played and England might not have broken the 300 mark in their innings.

This series has been a fantastic advertisement for one day cricket, and it is a pity that it has not been on free-to-view tv. With the amount of support for both teams in this country, it could really have really been a summer to remember.

England vs India, 3rd ODI, Edgbaston

England’s innings was competent rather than spectacular, and was again held together by Ian Bell, posting his third score over 50 in as many matches. Of the top order only Kevin Pietersen failed to contribute much, and he looked a little shaky against the spinners. Perhaps his dismissal by Chawla at Bristol was playing on his mind. Owais Shah hit 19 off 15 balls, including a fantastic six, but will be annoyed not to have stayed in longer. Some more hitting on the last few overs could have pushed England past 300 and helped establish his place in the side.

The Indian innings began quietly, the England bowlers keeping it very tight. Anderson and Broad are looking increasingly effective as a partnership, and I’m looking forward to seeing them bowl together in a test match. Anderson had Tendulkar caught on 8, the fifth time he has dismissed him this summer.

Unfortunately Tremlett once again proved expensive and Collingwood was forced to take him off after two overs that went for 20 runs. By the time Ganguly and Dravid both posted their half century, India looked to be cruising toward their target before Tremlett returned for a second spell and Dravid played on to his stumps before Ganguly nicked one to Prior.

Collingwood captained intelligently, bringing back Anderson before the end of the innings to take the crucial wicket of Mahendra Dhoni. India’s poor running between the wickets again showed itself when their last hope for victory, Yuvraj Singh, was run out.

India were once again comical in the field, and must have gifted England 20 runs, as well as failing to mke a run out. Their weakness in the less glamorous arts of the game are a major reason why they are a team with great players rather than a great team at the moment.

England lead the series 2-1 and if they can maintain this level of commitment should be favourites to win overall. Tremlett remains a concern, and Collingwood will likely want to bring back both Flintoff and Mascarenhas for the next match.