England on top

3:45pm Monday 18th August 2008

England overcame a stubborn fourth-wicket stand to make major inroads into Scotland's line-up in the inaugural one-day international at the Grange.

Despite a stubborn 64-run stand between former Yorkshire and England all-rounder Gavin Hamilton and Colin Smith, England utilised seamer-friendly conditions to reduce Scotland to 93 for five when rain stopped play after 31 overs of a match reduced to 47 overs a side.

Fielding a side including debutant Samit Patel and with three players recalled - Andrew Flintoff, Matt Prior and Tim Bresnan - England underlined the gulf between the two sides in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 6,000.

They 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.

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.

However, Hamilton and Smith combined well until the latter was caught at third man by Alastair Cook off the bowling of Stuart Broad.

Three overs later, left-arm spinner Patel's dream debut continued when new batsman Neil McCallum slog-swept straight to James Anderson in the deep.

Editor's Choice