CONSIDERING their modest record in Test matches and a performance in the last World Cup that had its genesis somewhere in the Dark Ages, England's record in home one day internationals borders on the remarkable. Cricketing Clark Kents they, may be, but stick the name of a petrol company in front of them and they turn into supermen. Yesterday at Old Trafford they once again beat the odds with a comfortable five wicket win over Pakistan in the first of this week's three match series.
As the last two times the teams met in this format were in a World Cup final in Melbourne four years ago and a quarter final in Karachi earlier this year, both of which England lost, a win now will scarcely atone. But England have now won no less than 15 of their last 20 matches in this competition and although Pakistan are certainly good enough to come back strongly at Edgbaston tomorrow and Trent Bridge on Sunday, England are on the road to winning what would be their fifth series out of six.
For England, a win is a win, but it was never a classic match, although that is not the fault of the players. The scruffy offering that was served up as a pitch for this game looked as if the dog had been at it.
England won largely because a novice attack performed more credibly than did Pakistan's highly experienced lot, particularly at the start of the match. The pick of the England bowlers was Robert Croft, who tweaked his way to figures of two for 36. Backed by some competitive fielding, Alan Mullally took one for 31 and Gough, too, kept it tight at the start. Anyone who can rein in such dashers as Aamir Sohail and Anwar has earned his pay, and this pair were restricted to just 38 runs in the 15 overs before the fielding restrictions were lifted, compared to England 77 later.
The England bowling suffocated Pakistan, who won the toss and batted, keeping them down to 225 for five, of which Anwar made 57 from 75 balls while Sohail, a static shadow of his usual self, and Ijaz Ahmed made 47 apiece from 117 and 56 balls respectively, before Inzamam's late bludgeoned unbeaten 37 from 28 balls.
England's reply was given a 57 run start by Alec Stewart, who could time the ball on a waterbed and made 48 from 58 balls, and Nick Knight (26). It was lent solidity later by Mike Atherton who, coming in first wicket down, made a patient 65, the highest score of the match, before being bowled by Wasim Akram.
It was between innings that the captain had made the decision to drop down the order, and it paid dividends, including the man of the match award for him. Atherton found a foil in Matthew Maynard, the pair adding 54 in ten 10 overs for the fourth wicket.
