A big century opening stand by Alistair Cook and Ian Bell has put England on the way to a nine-run victory in the first one-day international against India in Rajkot.
England made 4 for 325 off the full 50 overs, before India replied with 9 for 316.
Cook and Bell shared a 158-run partnership, before Bell was run out for 85 in the 28th over.
The captain was out four overs later for 75, then England's middle order kept things going with Kevin Pietersen (44), Eoin Morgan (41), Craig Kieswetter (24 not out) and Samit Patel (44 off 28 balls) all making starts.
All up, England scored 35 boundaries and eight big sixes to set India a serious target. Paceman Ishant Sharma came in for particular punishment, going for 86 off his 10 overs.
In reply, India started off at a run a ball through openers Ajinkya Rahane (47) and Gautam Gambhir (52).
England's seam bowlers Steven Finn (1 for 63), Jade Dernbach (2 for 69) and Tim Bresnan (2 for 67) were all expensive, but the star was spinner James Tredwell, who took 4 for 44 including the wickets of Rahane, Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh (61) and Suresh Raina (50).
The home side came close, but India needed 18 off the final over from Dernbach and could only manage nine runs.
The second international in the five-match series will take place in Kochi on January 15.
Tags: sport, cricket, india, united-kingdom, england First posted January 12, 2013 09:37:46
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