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Dravid: England 'perfect'
Bell and Cook put us under pressure, admits India skipper
Last updated: 22nd August 2007 
Dravid: Top-scored with 46
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India captain Rahul Dravid praised England for playing 'the perfect game' in Tuesday's opening match of the Natwest series.
England's new one-day skipper Paul Collingwood led his side to a resounding victory, as centuries from Alastair Cook and Ian Bell provided the platform for a 104-run success.
The home side made 288 from their 50 overs after being put into bat by Dravid, before India collapsed to 184 all out in reply as James Anderson returned his best bowling figures in one-day international cricket.
Dravid top-scored for his team with 46, but after slumping to 34-4 inside 12 overs, the tourists never threatened to win the match.
"I thought there would be a bit more for the bowlers in the wicket," said Dravid, defending his decision to field first.
"The partnership between Bell and Cook (178) was a good one. They really put us under pressure."
India struggled to take wickets on a good pitch and Dravid admitted finding the right balance in his bowling attack was a problem. "For us, it's a bit of an issue because of the lack of a genuine all-rounder."
No excuses
India defeated England 1-0 in the recent Test series and were strong favourites going into the one-day series.
The nature of their defeat at the Rose Bowl came as a surprise, but Dravid offered no excuses for his side's performance.
Asked if it was hard for India to raise their game after the excitement of winning the Test series, Dravid replied: "Maybe a little bit, but that's not an excuse. Credit to the opposition. They played a perfect one-day game.
"They really batted well, got two guys who went on and got a hundred. It's exactly what you want. They then took wickets up front with the new ball."
India didn't help themselves with some sloppy fielding and careless running between the wickets.
"It's an area we've got to try to improve," Dravid said. "On big grounds like this, we are not overnight going to get strong arms and big throws.
"Not making stupid mistakes running between the wickets, that's something we can definitely control and work on.
"It's been a disappointing performance all round but there are six games to go and hopefully we'll bounce back."
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Comments (5)
Terry Murphy says...
very good performance from England but lets not get carried away, we fall well short when it comes to Test matches. As for the football, yes we were a number of strikers short but it just goes to show how woefully short this country is of real talent and lets not kid ourselves, it will be years before there is anymore silverware to polish at lancaster gate
Posted 07:06 23rd August 2007
Ashish Anantharaman says...
Any captain would have opted to bowl first in overcast condition. Dravid was unlucky that his decision back fired. But all credit to England the way they played. It was a Aus type game they adopted and executed it well. India will definetely bouce back after this and is destined to be a very close series than expected after the test series win.
Posted 19:53 22nd August 2007
Biju Augustin says...
India won't sit back..Dravid made mistake to select field first. Indian batsmans assumed this pitch as poorly batting pitch..Indians are always better Oneday side, than England
Posted 14:44 22nd August 2007
Tarquin Farquarhson says...
How refreshing to hear a losing captain tell it like it is, so my hat goes off to Rahul Dravid.None of the usual"we have to take the positives out of the game" after youve just been drubbed like we always hear from England. A bit more honesty from Englands camp when they lose would be nice instead of lame psychological cotton wooling.No excuses from Dravid,just pure and simple that they werent good enough and must improve.
Posted 13:08 22nd August 2007
Christopher Tremenheere says...
I think India are going to loose te one day series. They are in deep trouble specially when it comes to finding some kind of consistency in batting and bowling after a defeat. After this heavy defeat I don't think they have what it takes to come back and win all the remaining matches. No chance.
Posted 13:01 22nd August 2007