Close shave for England against Canada

Stuart Broad's five-wicket haul saved England the blushes as they survived an unexpected assault from little-known Rizwan Cheema, to eke out a narrow 16-run win over minnows Canada in a World Cup warm-up match here on Wednesday.

After a three-wicket burst in his opening spell, Broad, on his return to competitive cricket, came back to pick up two more wickets, including the important one of Cheema, to pave the way for England's victory.

Chasing 243, things went along expected line as, England led by Ajmal Shahzad and Broad, reduced the Canadian upstarts to 28 for five by the eighth over.

Cheema, in the company of Zubin Surkari, steadied the ship with a sixth-wicket stand of 68, before the latter fell to Michael Yardy. The Pakistan-born Cheema (93 off 71 balls) then added another 60 runs for the seventh wicket with Khurram Chohan (44) to brighten his team's hopes of causing an upset at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium.

However, the 32-year-old right-hander's dismissal at a crucial juncture off the bowling of Broad undid all the work.

Cheema's knock was laced with 10 boundaries and five massive sixes.

Chohan, in the company of Hiral Patel Harvir Baidwan, tried his best, but their efforts went in vain as England wrapped up the tail with almost four overs to go.

Chohan faced 74 balls during his 111-minute stay at the crease and hit three fours and a six.

What did not help Canada's cause was that their top five batsmen managed just 17 runs between them.

Opting to bat first, England lost skipper Andrew Strauss in the second over of the match.

The ploy to promote Kevin Pietersen to the top of the order did not really work as the maverick batsman managed just 24.

Ian Bell and Paul Collingwood flopped but Jonathan Trott and Matthew Prior notched up contrasting half-centuries to lift England to a respectable total.

While Prior hit four boundaries and a six during his 81-ball innings, Trott cleared the fence four times and faced a delivery extra.

For Canada, Chohan and Baidwan picked up three wickets apiece, while Henri Osinde finished with a couple.

Brief scores:

England 243 all out (Prior 78, Trott 57; Chohan 3-34, Baidwan 3-50).

Canada 227 all out (Cheema 93; Broad 5-37).