LONDON, 19 September 2004 — England will meet Australia in next week’s Champions Trophy semifinals after heavy rain in Southampton gave them a 49-run win over Sri Lanka under the Duckworth/Lewis system in their Group D decider yesterday.
Andrew Flintoff struck 104 to steer England to 251 for seven before shining with the ball to help reduce Sri Lanka to 95 for five in the 24th over when rain ended play for the day to send England through thanks to the complex mathematical system.
The match had already spilled over from Friday when showers meant only 32 overs of England’s innings were bowled. One-Day Player of the Year Flintoff, 21 not out overnight, smashed three sixes in his third ODI hundred before perishing in the final over when he dragged a Chaminda Vaas slower ball on to his stumps.
Fellow all rounder Paul Collingwood also contributed a useful 39 in a 94-run fifth-wicket partnership before he was caught on the boundary by Mahela Jayawardene late on.
England had resumed on 118 for three but unluckily lost Marcus Trescothick for 66 in the second over of the morning as bowler Tillakaratne Dilshan diverted Flintoff’s drive on to the stumps to run out the opener at the non-striker’s end.
Flintoff, who was dropped on one on Friday, had another lifeline in the same Dilshan over when Upul Chandana failed to gather a difficult dipping catch at deep mid-wicket.
In Sri Lanka’s reply, Steve Harmison had Avishka Gunawardene and captain Marvan Atapattu both caught behind with two searing deliveries before Flintoff tempted Sanath Jayasuriya (27) to drive on the up to Darren Gough at mid-off.
Saman Jayantha then edged Flintoff to wicketkeeper Geraint Jones and slow left armer Ashley Giles took a juggling caught- and-bowled chance to dismiss Jayawardene before the weather brought an end to proceedings.
India Face Pakistan in Crunch Trophy Clash
Old rivals India and Pakistan meet at Edgbaston today in the biggest clash so far in the Champions Trophy but the seasonal English weather threatens to ruin the big day.
A sell-out crowd is expected in Birmingham for the eagerly-anticipated match that will decide which team progresses to a semifinal with South Africa or West Indies.
“It is the match of the tournament,” Pakistan all rounder Shahid Afridi said. “It is like a World Cup and is a good experience for the younger guys.”
The players have been building up for the game since before the tournament, struggling to contain their excitement when trying to concentrate on beating Group C outsiders Kenya.
They both disposed of the Africans convincingly, however, India winning by 98 runs and Pakistan easing to a seven-wicket victory.
“I think it is going to be a cracker of a game,” Indian captain Saurav Ganguly said. Their last meeting was in the Netherlands triangular tournament in August when Pakistan ran out winners by 66 runs, Shoaib Malik hitting 68 and taking three for 18.
Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer is only three months into the job and his simple ideas are already being heeded. “Coaching is about giving whatever knowledge you have to others but a coach should also learn and discover,” he said.
“The mind is like a parachute, it doesn’t work unless it is opened. But on the other hand the basic principles of batting, bowling and fielding have not changed since the game began.”
India’s main selection dilemmas revolve around the poor form of Virender Sehwag and whether to recall leg spinner Anil Kumble.
Pakistan are expected to keep the team that bowled Kenya out for 94 when Afridi bagged five for 11.
Captain Inzamam-ul-Haq decided not to bat himself in the simple run chase and has said the batting order is subject to change.
“The order is flexible,” he said. “If you are chasing 200 the batting order is going to be different than chasing 300.”
