#CWC15 day 10: #EngvSco

It was a clash between european countries England and Scotland on day 10 of world cup 2015. Considering England's performance against Australia and New Zealand, Scotland was pretty confident of beating them. On the other hand England too was desperate for the win. Let's see what happened in this pool A clash.

Game 14: England vs Scotland

Scotland won the toss and chose to field first thinking their bowlers will give some hard time to english batsmen at the crease but nothing happened according to Scotland's plan. Moeen Ali and Ian Bell got a solid start. Ali got starts in previous matches as well but he was not able to capitalize on those starts. In that match against Scotland Ali was unstoppable from the beginning. Bell was cautious in that innings and played more of a supporting role. Ali and Bell made 50 run partnership in just 56 balls. It didn't stopped there partnership went on and on. Scorecard reached 100 run mark in just 100 balls. It was first 100 run partnership for England in quite some time.

Ali was dominant in that partnership as he made 65% of runs. While Bell supported Ali well. It didn't even stopped at 100 runs. Partnership went on and on till 172 and that point Bell threw his wicket away after well made half century. Before Bell got out Moeen Ali reached to his second ODI hundred in style (with a six over mid wicket). It was the record first wicket partnership for England in world cup cricket. Bell's wicket doesn't affect Ali at all. He carried on in the same fashion. It looked like he will get first double hundred in this world cup. Then he slogged Majid for the sixth six of his innings but was caught in the deep. Ali's innings ended on 128. It was a paisa vasool knock by him.

The stage was set for the huge score but Scottish bowlers finally caused some trouble to English batsmen. Ali got out on 201 then Ballance and Root followed him on 203 and all of the sudden England was four down. Morgan and Taylor build up on a start given by Bell and Ali but they took some time for it. It was a better thing to do at that stage than another batting collapse. Both of them added 49 runs to the total before Taylor got out to some superb keeping. Cross did an excellent job behind the wickets to dismiss Taylor. Buttler got along with Morgan and added 45 runs. Scorecard displayed 297 runs when Buttler got out. England then posted 303 on the board which was pretty good total.

English bowlers were not in a mood of giving it away. They were bowling very tight line from the word go but Coetzer started well keeping target in mind. Unfortunately there was no support for him at the other end. Coetzer stood tall but Scotland kept loosing wickets regularly. Scotland lost its third wicket on 54 in 12th over then Mommsen and Coetzer came together for the rescue job. It was a 60 run partnership between Mommsen and Coetzer. Coetzer gone past 50 during that partnership. He shown some character against english bowlers. After adding 60 runs with Coetzer Mommsen top edged one straight into the hands of Broad at backward square leg and that was the end of partnership of the innings.

After Mommsen got out. Ali got big man Coetzer and with that Ali became the only english player to hit a 100 and pick up a wicket in a world cup match. It was Moeen Ali's day at office. After Coetzer no one really rose to the occasion and Scotland was bundled for 184. England finally had something to cheer for in this world cup. If England had lost this match they were almost out of this world cup. It was great team effort from England to destroy the confidence of Scotland. England have to perform like this more oftenly to survive in this world cup. None the less England finally got couple of points and some confidence as well.

Minnows are really giving tough time to main teams in this world cup. This was the first outright defeat of a minnow in this world cup. It is actually good for the game that Minnows are performing well on such a big stage. Next up is West Indies vs Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe has impressed a lot in this world cup. While West Indies is intact on its unpredictable tag. Both the teams has lot to prove. So another exciting day of cricket is waiting for us.

#CWC15 day 11