England crush Eagles in tour opener by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Scorecard:	Eagles v England XI
Player:	IJL Trott, EJG Morgan, SCJ Broad
Event:	England in South Africa 2009/10

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DateLine: 7th November 2009

 

England began their tour of South Africa with an emphatic 185-run victory over the Diamond Eagles in Bloemfontein.

 

Aided by half-centuries from Andrew Strauss, Jonathan Trott and Eoin Morgan, England reached a total of 294-7 after being asked to bat.

 

Then with the leather Stuart Broad and James Anderson struck twice each to reduce the hosts to 43-4 in the 10th over of their reply.

 

Wickets continued to fall regularly as Sajid Mahmood, Graeme Swann and Paul Collingwood enjoyed themselves with the ball as the Eagles crashed to 109 all out in 26.4 overs.

 

The stage was set by a second-wicket partnership of 123 between Strauss and Trott which allowed England to overcome the early loss of Joe Denly (3).

 

The hundred partnership was raised shortly afterwards from 116 deliveries as England looked on course for a huge total.

 

The introduction of occasional seamer Ryan Bailey brought an end to Strauss' 85-ball knock as the England captain holed out for 72 to Victor Mpitsang in the deep. Collingwood was next snapped by De Lange (1-50) leaving England at 154-3.

 

Trott and Morgan then added a 32 together, but after that the Warwickshire right-hander played Bailey (2-27) on to his stumps to depart for 85.

 

At that stage England looked to be losing their way but Morgan and Matt Prior slowly regrouped.

 

The duo brought up England's 200 in the 41st over before Prior was given a reprieve, put down by Thandi Tshabalala at point.

 

Tshabalala did not help his side's cause with another dropped chance, this time Morgan slashing the ball to him at point.

 

Dean Elgar caught Prior as he hit Dillon du Preez (1-53) straight to long-off.

 

But Morgan continued his assault, with his 50 coming in 41 balls. He was well supported by Luke Wright (24).

 

The Eagles faltered from the word go as Morne van Wyk edged Broad's second ball to Swann at second slip for a duck.

 

Rilee Rossouw started in a hurry picking up three fours in his first four balls but Broad had his revenge in the third over. Rossouw hung out his bat to edge through to Prior behind the stumps for 17.

 

Anderson then got into action sending back Boeta Dippenaar (11) on his way, the Eagles skipper inside edging onto his stumps to leave his side at 32-3.

 

Anderson (2-28) grabbed his second wicket in the 10th over when he had Elgar caught behind by Prior for four.

 

Collingwood bowled last man Mpitsang (2) to bring the Eagles' miserable effort to a close from the fourth delivery of the 27th over.

 

England play another 50-over warm-up against the Warriors in Kimberley on Sunday before taking on South Africa A at Twenty20 next Tuesday in preparation for the start of the internationals.