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Windies duo punish England attack England bow out with welcome win
(about 5 hours later)
Andrew Flintoff's bowling return failed to inspire England as West Indies enjoyed a run-fest with Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo both recording centuries. Kevin Pietersen smashed an unbeaten 90 as England headed home from the Champions Trophy with a consolation three-wicket win over West Indies.
Flintoff was bowling for the first time since ankle surgery but failed to take any wickets as West Indies made 272-4. He guided England to 276-7 with nine balls to spare in Ahmedabad.
The Champions Trophy game in Ahmedabad saw Gayle (101) put on 174 for the second wicket with Bravo, whose 112 not out was his maiden one-day hundred. Chris Gayle had starred with bat and ball for the West Indies, hitting 101 and taking 3-31, but still ended up on the losing side.
Sajid Mahmood took two wickets but was expensive, conceding 44 in seven overs. Dwayne Bravo also registered his first one-day international century with an unbeaten 112 as West Indies hit 272-4.
England went into the match with a team showing one change as Jon lewis took over from Steve Harmison, who was officially "rested" after being out of sorts with the ball during the tournament so far. And there was a positive sight for England fans when they saw Andrew Flintoff bowl five overs - his first action with the ball since ankle surgery in June.
Lewis made the breakthrough dismissing opener Shiv Chanderpaul for 13 and bowled 10 tidy overs for figures of 1-35 in a match which England were playing only for pride, having already being knocked out of the tournament. West Indies won the toss in a match in which they knew they were already through to the semi-finals of the tournament and England were playing only for pride.
West Indies on the other hand went into the game with a semi-final place secure and their confidence was in evidence as Gayle and Bravo put the setback behind them. Gayle put on 174 for the second wicket with Bravo after opener Shiv Chanderpaul had been dismissed for 13.
Gayle (right) is congratulated by Bravo after reaching his century Jon Lewis took over from Steve Harmison, who was officially "rested" after being out of sorts with the ball during the tournament so far.
Lewis made the breakthrough dismissing Chanderpaul and bowled 10 tidy overs for figures of 1-35.
Flintoff bowled five overs for 27 runs in his return with the ball
Unusually, Bravo was the more aggressive of the pair with Gayle happy to play a more subdued role but it was still effective as he reached a century in 127 balls seemingly without having to break into a sweat.Unusually, Bravo was the more aggressive of the pair with Gayle happy to play a more subdued role but it was still effective as he reached a century in 127 balls seemingly without having to break into a sweat.
He was run out by Flintoff without having a chance to really let rip but Bravo followed him to three figures soon after, reaching his hundred off 117 balls with 12 fours and a six.He was run out by Flintoff without having a chance to really let rip but Bravo followed him to three figures soon after, reaching his hundred off 117 balls with 12 fours and a six.
England looked as though they were counting down the hours before their plane left India and were below par in the field too.
Andrew Strauss and Ian Bell missed chances to catch Gayle and late on Michael Yardy failed to hang on to an easy chance to dismiss Ramnaresh Sarwan. There was also an uncharacteristic missed stumping by keeper Chris Read.Andrew Strauss and Ian Bell missed chances to catch Gayle and late on Michael Yardy failed to hang on to an easy chance to dismiss Ramnaresh Sarwan. There was also an uncharacteristic missed stumping by keeper Chris Read.
England captain Flintoff brought himself on to bowl in the 11th over and his first three-over spell was encouraging, reaching speeds of up to 87mph, as he conceded 16 runs.England captain Flintoff brought himself on to bowl in the 11th over and his first three-over spell was encouraging, reaching speeds of up to 87mph, as he conceded 16 runs.
He returned later for two more overs and although he stemmed the run-rate, he could not get a wicket, despite being offered a stinging return catch by Bravo.He returned later for two more overs and although he stemmed the run-rate, he could not get a wicket, despite being offered a stinging return catch by Bravo.
Following Gayle's departure, Bravo and Sarwan added 50 to the toal before Sarwan was caught at long-on off Mahmood, who also claimed the notable scalp of Brian Lara for three.Following Gayle's departure, Bravo and Sarwan added 50 to the toal before Sarwan was caught at long-on off Mahmood, who also claimed the notable scalp of Brian Lara for three.
England were out of the traps quickly in reply, especially Andrew Strauss, who smacked a 46-ball fifty before losing his concentration and was bowled by Gayle for 51.
Flintoff had initially looked happy knocking the ball around for singles and twos but once he increased his aggression with the bat, he succumbed in customary style at holing out in the deep, this time for 25.
England work-horse Paul Collingwood's stay at the crease lasted all of one ball as he edged to Bravo as Gayle took two wickets in one over to leave England on 127-3.
And Bell, after completing his seventh ODI fifty, was run out immediately afterwards from a great piece of fielding by Lara, who showed no ill-effects of his bad back.
Michael Yardy's place in the one-day team is probably under threat after less than convincing performances in India and his 10 would not have enamoured him to the selectors ahead of the World Cup.
But the Sussex player looked as though he was at the wrong end of a dubious decision as Bravo claimed a catch but television replays showed the ball had bounced first.
And with the run-rate rising rapidly, Jamie Dalrymple succumbed to the pressure and was bowled by Marlon Samuels for eight and Read was out for four, dismissed by a slower Bravo delivery.
So it was left to the man with an appetite for the big occasion, Pietersen, who together with Sajid Mahmood's 14 off 12 balls, saw England home.
Pietersen left the fireworks to the end and then cashed in scoring the bulk of the last 44 runs needed in 3.5 overs with a huge six over long-off and some spectacular fours.