Steven Finn Bowls England to Biggest ODI Win vs India
Steven Finn (5/33) produced his best bowling performance in ODIs at Brisbane as England routed India by nine wickets.
England thrashed India by nine wickets with more than 22 overs to spare on Tuesday to record their first win in the tri-series tournament in Australia and boost their confidence ahead of next month's World Cup. Fast bowler Steven Finn claimed his first five-wicket haul in a one-day international as England equalled their biggest win in terms of wickets against India in ODIs. They had defeated them by an identical margin at Leeds on June 2, 1982.
Finn took 5-33 from eight overs while Jimmy Anderson picked up four wickets as the pair skittled the reigning world champions for 153 in less than 40 overs. Ian Bell and James Taylor both posted unbeaten half-centuries as England cruised to victory in 27.3 overs, earning a bonus point for their lopsided win. (Highlights | Scorecard)
England thus posted their largest victory in terms of wickets in Australia in ODIs. By winning with 135 balls to spare, England scored their biggest in terms of balls, eclipsing their win by seven wickets with 131 balls to spare at Ranchi on January 19, 2013.
India suffered their second straight defeat in the tri-nation series. India's 153 is their lowest all-out total versus England in ODIs, eclipsing the 158 at Leeds on May 25, 1996. The man responsible for India's plight was Finn, who erased his previous best of 4 for 34 versus Pakistan at Abu Dhabi on February 13, 2012. (Tri-Series ODI vs England: Steven Smith to Captain Australia in George Bailey's Absence)
Finn's previous best bowling figures against India were 3 for 45 at Mumbai on October 23, 2011. Finn is the first England bowler to take five wickets in an ODI vs India at neutral venues.
Finn is the second England bowler to take five wickets in an ODI at Gabba, Brisbane. Chris Woakes had captured six for 45 versus Australia on January 30, 2011. Finn's figures of 5 for 33 are the second best by an England bowler versus India in ODIs next only to Ronnie Irani's five for 26 at The Oval on July 9, 2002.
(With inputs from Rajesh Kumar)