Beaten in Mohali, England wary of Dharamsala

Mohali (Punjab), Jan 23 (IANS) Beaten comprehensively by India by five wickets in the fourth one-day International (ODI) here Wednesday, England are now wary of the conditions in Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh where the last game of the five-match series will be played Jan 27.

Having already lost the series 3-1, England captain Alastair Cook said that the partnership between Indian batsmen Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina, scoring 68 runs for the fourth wicket, Wednesday saw the game here slip away from England.

As the England side head for the last game of the series in the hill station of Dharamsala, 250 km from here, the visitors are wary of the cold conditions there.

“I am not quite sure how the conditions are going to be like in the next game,” he told media persons after the game here at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) stadium, adding that he had heard reports that Dharamsala had seen snow in recent days.

“I was looking at the reports on my iPad which said it (weather) is clear,” Cook said, even though he looked quite wary of what to expect at the next venue.

“I hope people behind me are going to make the right decisions. We have to get in and out of that (place) safely,” he said.

In Wednesday’s game, Cook said, his team had a fair chance with 257 runs on the board but the Rohit Sharma (83) and Suresh Raina (89 not out) stand took the game away from England’s hands.

The England captain admitted that there was confusion on the ground when Raina was caught but umpire Steve Davis declared it a dead ball as fast-bowler Steven Finn had knocked down the bails while bowling.

“It was frustrating when such things happen…there was a little bit of confusion. We tried to clarify things,” Cook said.

He admitted that his team had been told by the umpires earlier about the rule.

The England side had been told about the rule in Kochi, where also the bails were knocked down by Finn.

Despite the series being lost, Cook said that England will “pick the best side” for the Dharamsala match.

IANS 2013-01-23 22:26:02