England's cricketers quickly bounced back from their humiliating defeat at the hands of Australia last week, to equally convincingly defeat the third side in the international ODI tri-series Down Under, India. After bowling India out cheaply for just 153 at the Gabba in Brisbane in less than forty overs, they then made short work of their target in response and took the match with a confidence-building nine-wicket victory.
They welcomed main strike bowler Jimmy (James) Anderson back after a knee-injury had postponed his entry into the mini-tournament, to partner the 6'7" Middlesex pace man Steven Finn and it paid huge dividends, as they had their sub-continent opponents in trouble throughout their batting innings. Finn led the way in terms of wicket-taking with an one-day best for him of 5-33 that gave him the man-of-the-match, but it was Anderson who exercised the most control of the two quickies with a healthy 4-18 return for the Lancashire man. Finn will be delighted to be returning to his best after a long period of re-establishing his technique and rhythm, after being viewed as not up to the standard required for international selection only twelve months ago.
In response, England were never in trouble and chased the modest total down in less than 28 overs of the fifty allotted to them for the loss of only Moeen Ali. Opener Ian Bell returned to form after his duck against Australia with an unbeaten 88 as he shared a partnership with James Taylor of 131 for the second wicket. Taylor also scored an unbeaten half-century in the match, as the rapid success ensured that England also claimed a vital bonus-point.
Australia top the table after two matches for each side, with the Three Lions now standing second and preparing to face their great rivals again on Friday.
Anderson's knee will clearly need to be given special attention and treatment throughout the series one would think as they effectively 'wrap him in cotton wool', as England look ahead to the forthcoming ODI World Cup. This performance will have pleased them greatly though and captain Eoin Morgan in particular, after losing soundly to the Australians in Sydney, where the hosts had more than ten overs to spare at the end. If Anderson plays against Australia in the next match, it will be interesting to see what influence he can have on reigning in the positive Aussie batsmen on their home pitches.