England make early inroads

2:57pm Monday 18th August 2008

England's new-look team were quick to make an impression in today's rain-hit one-day international by making early inroads into Scotland's line-up at the Grange.

Having selected a side including debutant Samit Patel and recalls for Andrew Flintoff, Matt Prior and Tim Bresnan, England underlined the gulf between the two sides during the early overs after rain delayed the start by 90 minutes.

Exploiting seamer-friendly conditions after winning the toss, England reduced Scotland to 11 for three until former Yorkshire and England all-rounder Gavin Hamilton teamed up with Colin Smith and helped them recover to 32 for three after 10 overs of a game reduced to 47 overs.

England took just eight deliveries to claim their first breakthrough, with Nottinghamshire all-rounder Patel - whose left-arm spin was preferred to Graeme Swann as the slow-bowling option - running out opener Ryan Watson with his first touch in international cricket.

Hamilton, who played one Test for England in 1999 against South Africa in Johannesburg, clipped Yorkshire all-rounder Bresnan to mid-wicket but immediately declined a quick single.

However, Scotland captain Watson had already advanced down the wicket and was unable to return to his crease at the non-striker's end before Patel pounced to throw down the stumps.

Durham batsman Kyle Coetzer, one of four members of the Scotland line-up with county experience, lasted just one over before becoming Bresnan's first victim on his return to international cricket.

Discarded after a difficult series against Sri Lanka two years ago, Bresnan was only called into the squad after injuries to Ryan Sidebottom and Chris Tremlett but justified his selection by inducing Coetzer into edging to Flintoff at second slip.

Bresnan also struck in his next over to remove Warwickshire's Nav Poonia, who this time edged to Patel at third slip.

But Hamilton began Scotland's recovery by launching James Anderson over mid-wicket for six - a shot which prompted an exchange of words with the Lancashire seamer - while Smith hooked Bresnan for another six.

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