Day in the sun for Pietersen but it's a washout for Strauss

 

Having already declared his decision to play in the Indian Premier League to be the right one for his England career, Kevin Pietersen came up with spectacular justification in Delhi yesterday. While his England captain, Andrew Strauss, endured a day of frustration watching a washout at Lord's, Pietersen smashed his maiden Twenty20 century to propel Delhi Daredevils to a five-wicket win over Deccan Chargers.

Pietersen excited the home crowd with an unbeaten 103 off just 64 balls, sealing both the Delhi win and his own milestone with his ninth six at the start of the final over. It had not been an innings without incident – he was dropped on six, 68 and 94 as well as running out team-mate Ross Taylor.

Pietersen's county, Surrey, had a frustrating day at The Oval, where the opening day against Worcestershire went the same way as Middlesex against Durham at Lord's. Limited play was possible at Trent Bridge, where early leaders Nottinghamshire continued their rollercoaster start to the season in much the same vein as had characterised their wins over Worcestershire and Durham.

 



Bowled out for 118 by the former and 161 by the latter after losing the toss and being asked to bat first, they slumped to 34 for five after Somerset invite them to bat. Even without their South African fast bowler, Vernon Philander, who was ruled out with a sore back, a Somerset attack led by Steve Kirby and Peter Trego caused Notts more than enough problems.

Trego has never taken a five-wicket haul in first-class cricket yet he removed both the left-handers, Neil Edwards and Michael Lumb, leg before with deliveries that nipped back, and Alex Hales, Samit Patel and James Taylor all succumbed to poor shots.

Chris Read led a bold recovery with a rapid half-century but lost another partner when Lewis Gregory bowled Steven Mullaney. If this match follows the pattern of the first two, however, Notts will be equally dangerous with the ball and then bat better in the second innings, although their prospects are tempered by the absence of Andre Adams, their leading wicket-taker for the last two seasons, who has flu. Harry Gurney, the left-arm seamer who moved from Leicestershire during the winter, makes his debut.

At Liverpool, Ian Bell's first opportunity to find some form ahead of the domestic Test programme was delayed when Warwickshire chose to field against Lancashire, who had taken their total to 111 after 48 overs in tricky conditions before Karl Brown was their fourth man out.

In Port of Spain, rain put an early stop to the West Indies' chase of of 215 as the second Test against Australia ended as a draw. Australia declared at 160 for 8 early on the final afternoon and the home side were 53 for 2 before the weather intervened.

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Caption competition
Caption competition
News in pictures
World news in pictures
Sport blogs

iBet: Bale and Rooney transfer specials

The dust is barely settling on the Premier League season and the bookies are looking to persuade us ...

by Gareth Purnell

A changing of the guards in English football: From Sir Alex Ferguson to Jose Mourinho

The guard has changed at Old Trafford for the first time in 26 years. Meanwhile, down the road, the ...

by The Sports Lawyer

iBet: Look each way for value in The Cote D’Azur Open

With the top nine players in the men’s world tennis rankings all missing this tournament to prepare ...

by Gareth Purnell

       
Career Services

Day In a Page

Watch out Watford: Here comes the secretive Bilderberg Group

Watch out Watford: Here comes the secretive Bilderberg Group

A meeting of global power brokers in a Hertfordshire hotel is exciting conspiracy theorists, but what are they really about?
'The ultimate all-in-one home entertainment system': Microsoft finally unveils its Xbox ONE console

'The ultimate all-in-one home entertainment system'

Microsoft finally unveils its Xbox ONE console
Plenty of Fish dating site founder pulls 'Intimate Encounters' option to ward off sleazy men

Plenty of sleaze

Dating website pulls intimate 'hook-up' section to curb harassment
Inferno author Dan Brown 'honoured' to be invited to join the Freemasons

The Freemasons’ Code

Dan Brown reveals the message that told him door to the lodge is open
Not secure any more: G4S boss heads for exit at last

Not secure any more: G4S boss heads for exit at last

Nick Buckles survived the Olympics débâcle and a £5bn bid fiasco but a profit warning finally triggered his downfall
How to say ‘I’m a sellout’: Tumblr’s David Karp’s message of reassurance to his staff sounded very familiar

How to say ‘I’m a sellout’

Tumblr’s David Karp’s message of reassurance to his staff sounded very familiar
Why clubs are keen to take a stand

Why clubs are keen to take a stand

There's a real desire around the grounds for safe standing. But will the authorities listen?
In the end the fans decided Tony Pulis had made a pig's ear of the job at Stoke City

In the end the fans decided Tony Pulis had made a pig's ear of the job at Stoke City

Disillusion with a siege mentality and negative playing style made change inevitable
James Lawton: The James Hunt I knew is the subject of a new F1 movie

James Lawton: The James Hunt I knew is the subject of a new F1 movie

British driver was fascinating man whose epic duel with Niki Lauda in 1976 was typical of an era of glamour and glory – but also the ever-present threat of death
Stuart Hogg: Ready to climb his own Everest

Stuart Hogg: Ready to climb his own Everest

Lions' cub, 20, joins long line of players from Scottish borders club Hawick given opportunity to make his mark at highest level
Carl Froch handed rare chance of revenge with dream rematch

Steve Bunce on Boxing

Carl Froch handed rare chance of revenge with dream rematch against Mikel Kessler
'There is a battle going on inside us that is never discussed'

Masculinity in crisis?

'There is a battle going on inside us that is never discussed'
Have US shock jocks gone too far?

Have US shock jocks gone too far?

An incendiary remark from Rush Limbaugh may be the beginning of the end for outspoken right-wing US broadcasters
The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey pays more income tax than big cities of the North

The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey

Elmbridge pays more income tax than big cities of the North
Heavenly Bodies

Heavenly Bodies

Michael Landy's artistic marriage made in heaven... and hell