RAJKOT — England made a winning start to its five-match one-day series beating India by nine runs at the new Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium here Friday. India, chasing a target of 326, managed 316 for nine in 50 overs after Yuvraj Singh top scored with 61. James Tredwell was the pick of the English bowlers bagging four for 44, while Jade Dernbach and Tim Bresnan picked up two wickets each. Tredwell was also adjudged as Man-of-the-Match. India was off to a flying start with Ajinkya Rahane (47) and Gautam Gambhir (52) adding 96 runs for the first wicket. But then Tredwell struck in consecutive overs to remove the India openers. Virat Kohli's (15) unimpressive run continued as he was caught behind off Bresnan as India slumped from 96 for no loss to 138 for three by the 26th over. Yuvraj and Suresh Raina (50) raised hopes with their 60-run stand for the fourth wicket, but again Tredwell removed the two batsmen to leave India struggling at 243 for five in the 42nd over. India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni struck a quick-fire 32 off 25 balls, but not enough to fashion a win for the host. Earlier, England made 325 for four in 50 overs after a flying start. Openers Alastair Cook (75) and Ian Bell (85) top scored to take England past the 150-mark as Engand kept all their wickets intact till the 27th over. Indian pace bowlers Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma and Ashok Dinda looked listless as none of them could either take a wicket or contain the England batsmen till the death overs. Only all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and part-time spinner Suresh Raina were able to contain the English batsmen for a while. They were the only bowlers to have an economy rate below six runs per over. Raina was also successful in claiming the wicket of skipper Cook. Dinda was finally successful after clinching the wickets of Kevin Pietersen (44) and Eoin Morgan (41). Craig Kieswetter (24 not out) and Samit Patel (44 not out) struck some lusty shots toward the end of the innings to take England past 300, after the Indian spinners had reduced the run-rate in the middle-overs. Batsman Joe Root made his debut for England, but did not get an opportunity to bat. — Agencies
