James Taylor and Jos Buttler steer England to win over India in Tri-Series

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/jan/30/england-india-tri-series

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If England wanted an examination of their big-match temperament before the World Cup, India provided it as Eoin Morgan’s team came back from the brink to close out a nervy three-wicket victory that secured their place in Sunday’s Tri-Series final against Australia.

A 125-run stand between James Taylor and Jos Buttler proved crucial as England recovered from 66 for five in the 20th over to eventually get over the line in their pursuit of 201.

Taylor’s innings of 82 from 122 balls was impressive in its composure, the Nottinghamshire batsman keeping his head while all those around him lost theirs – until he found a willing ally in Buttler.

In a throwback to a byegone era of one-day cricket, England flirted with danger throughout their chase on a pitch offering variable bounce, the dismissals of Taylor and Buttler providing late drama before victory in this winner-takes-all contest was secured with 19 balls to spare.

Related: England beat India to reach Tri-Series final – as it happened

England were strong favourites after they had dismissed India for 200. However, their reply got off to the worst possible start when Ian Bell was trapped lbw by Mohit Sharma in the fourth over.

An implosion of epic proportions then unfolded between the 13th and 20th overs as England lost four wickets for 26 runs; Moeen Ali, Joe Root, Morgan and Ravi Bopara all falling.

At that point, with England five down and still 135 runs short of their modest target, victory appeared remote. The whiff of desperation was made even more overpowering by the fact Stuart Binny was their chief destroyer.

The sight of the much-maligned all-rounder being thrown the new ball must have had England’s batsmen licking their lips. Yet they were left shell-shocked by his astonishing return of three for seven in 19 balls.

Binny’s golden spell started with a sharp return catch to dismiss Root. Morgan then paid the price for a loose shot to Shikhar Dhawan at mid-on before an even more reckless stroke saw Bopara perish at point.

But the partnership between Taylor and Buttler, spanning 23.2 overs, changed everything. Taylor, who holed out to Mohit when only 10 more runs were required, will be disappointed not to have seen the job through. So too Buttler, who scored 67 from 78 balls before he was also caught in the deep, this time off Mohammed Shami. In the end, though, the pair’s contributions had got their side close enough.

Although they restricted India to 200, England did not take full advantage of helpful conditions with the new ball after they had won the toss and chose to bowl on a muggy Perth morning.

Despite a reticent start from Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane, the India openers settled to reach 83 without loss after 20 overs. Dhawan, with three single-figure scores in the series before this, made 38 before edging Chris Woakes behind to the first ball of the 21st over. By the 25th, with India 95 for one, Rahane had reached a determined half-century in 71 balls.

Virat Kohli may be India’s most gifted batsman but he had a brain fade when attempting to hit Moeen over the top, picking out long off as India slipped to 102 for two in the 28th over. It was by no means a bad position but it deteriorated rapidly once Suresh Raina, learning nothing from Kohli, sashayed down the track to Moeen and edged to backward point.

The second batting powerplay, triggered in the 35th over, presented Stuart Broad with his first wicket of the series, Ambati Rayudu edging to Buttler.

Rahane’s excellent innings of 73 from 101 balls also came to an end when Steven Finn became the latest England bowler to send an edge into Buttler’s gloves.

With India wobbling on 136 for five, England scented blood. Finn, so impressive when taking five wickets against the same opponents in Brisbane, got his second of this match thanks to a spectacular, diving slip catch from Bell which saw the back of Binny.

MS Dhoni was the next to fall, trapped lbw by Jimmy Anderson to the final ball of the 43rd over, the first of which had reared up and struck India’s captain on the grille of his helmet. Jadeja went two balls later, an errant top edge handing Broad another wicket as India slipped to 164 for eight. They were nine down when Axar Patel, flummoxed by Finn, gave Bell more catching practice at slip.

Only a carefree last-wicket stand of 35 from 23 balls between Shami and Mohit got India to 200. The value of those runs increased appreciably once India’s bowlers ripped the heart out of England’s top order.

In Taylor and Buttler, England can be thankful they have two young players who performed when the pressure was really on. Australia, with victories from all three of their completed games in this Tri-Series, will offer them a far sterner examination.