England And India Tie Thriller At Lord's

England And India Tie Thriller At Lord's

Ravi Bopara scored a career-best 96 to first keep England in the game and then ensure they wouldn't lose it at Lord's

©Action Images

England 270-8 (Bopara 96, Bell 54) tied with
India 280-5 (Raina 84, Dhoni 78no)
Fourth One-Day International, Lord's
Scorecard

England and India tied the fourth One-Day International in dramatic circumstances at Lord's, a result which handed England the series with one game still to play.

India posted 280 for five having batted as well as they had throughout the series but after a number of stoppages due to rain with  both sides ahead of the Duckworth/Lewis par score at different points, England closed on 270 for eight when play was finally called off.

Ravi Bopara played a fine innings of 96 - a career-best - and although he was dismissed with the last action of the match as he looked to put England into the lead, the run chase had been sufficiently well-managed to again prevent India from winning - they are still yet to beat England on this tour.

India's batting was built first around a frenetic 38 in 53 balls from Ajinkya Rahane and then following the dismissals of Parthiv Patel (27), Rahul Dravid (19) and Virat Kohli (16), belligerent half-centuries from Suresh Raina and Mahendra Singh Dhoni ensured they closed strongly with a 169-run parternship including 110 runs from the last ten overs.

Raina made 84 in 75 balls with seven fours and two sixes while Dhoni hit 78 not out in 71 deliveries with six fours and three sixes as England also suffered a blow when Stuart Broad was unable to complete his and England's final over with a tricep injury.

He was unable to bat, and had the game gone the distance that might have proved more of a hindrance to England but with England's innings being ended with seven balls unused and James Anderson and Steven Finn at the crease.

Bopara had holed out one ball previously to be caught by Ravi Jadeja off Munaf Patel and that was the second wicket in consecutive overs after Graeme Swann was run out by Patel.

He played a crucial role by hitting 31 in 23 balls but Bopara was England's saviour, having come in with them on 61 for three, and hit six fours in 111 balls, forging key partnerships with Ian Bell (54), Tim Bresnan (27) and Swann.

Bopara's innings was badly needed by England following the cheap dismissals of Craig Kieswetter and Alastair Cook (both for 12) followed by Jonathan Trott for 23 and Ben Stokes for seven.

He put on 98 with Bell but after the dismissals of Bell, Stokes and Brenan, rain then interrupted play first with India ahead, then with England ahead on the Duckworth/Lewis method before the final denouement left neither side on top.

The fifth and final game is at Cardiff on 16th September.

© Cricket World 2011