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England takes on Hyderabad XI in the second warm-up tie

Last updated on: October 10, 2011 20:34 IST
Craig Kieswetter bats during a batting session in Hyderabad

The England cricket team would look to keep their slate clean when they play Hyderabad XI in the second and final warm up match on Tuesday ahead of their first ODI against India on October 14.

The English team had a scrappy outing in the first warmup match as they were bowled out for 219 but the visitors still managed to register a morale-boosting 56-run win, thanks to a sensational hat-trick by pacer Steven Finn.

It will be another opportunity for England to further acclimatize to the Indian conditions and Alastair Cook's men, especially the batters, would look to grab the chance with both hands.

Jonathan Trott and skipper Cook had failed in the first warm-up on October 8 and would look to regain their touch that had helped England to beat India 3-0 in the ODI series back home in August.

Pietersen, Bell need to deliver

Last updated on: October 10, 2011 20:34 IST
Kevin Pietersen takes a break during the practice session in Hyderabad

Pietersen, who had been rested for the ODI series, also disappointed on his first game on India tour. The former skipper's last ODI hundred was in 2008 in India and the right-handed batsman will look to get back to form soon.

Ian Bell too can't afford to waste any time and have to get back among runs, while Ravi Bopara and Chris Woakes, who sizzled with the bat in the first game, will look to continue their brilliant run.

Cook was not too worried about their batting after the first game though he acknowledged there were some poor shot selection by his batsmen.

"We would obviously have loved to put up a bigger score. They fielded very well and pulled off some brilliant catches. There was some poor shot selection. We are not worried. It was a decent win in the end," he had said.

England to test ODI two ball strategy

Last updated on: October 10, 2011 20:34 IST
Graeme Swann during the practice session in Hyderabad
Among the bowlers, Finn has been sensational and Woakes too have chipped in with two wickets. But a lot will be expected from spinner Graeme Swann and Samit Patel when they look to tame the rival batsmen at the Rajiv Gandhi stadium on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, England will work this week on their two-ball strategy for ODIs after admitting it made a significant difference to tactics in their warm-up win on Saturday.

All-rounder Ravi Bopara admitted he noticed a massive difference, particularly with the ball when playing against a Hyderabad XI.

"When we were batting I forgot we were playing with one ball. I thought I was seeing it well. That's probably why – because we were playing with two. When I was bowling though it made a big difference. We had one ball that was swinging and one that wasn't," the Daily Express quoted him as saying

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