England came into the game knowing that anything less than a win would mean elimination from the tournament at the group stage, which was unthinkable. The team was again forced to be changed by captain Andrew Strauss with the injury to Ajmal Shahzad for the rest of the tournament leaving England with only two front line seamers in Chris Tremlett and Tim Bresnan. Luke Wright was included in the side for the first time in the tournament as England needed more bowling options. Off-spinner James Tredwell was preferred to Michael Yardy as the second spinner along side Graeme Swann. The batting line up remained the same with Strauss and Prior opening followed by Trott, Bell, Morgan, Bopara and Wright.
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| Prior is bowled after bright start |
Strauss won the toss and decided to bat first and with Prior, they got England off to a flyer with England nearly going at ten runs per over for the first 6 or 7 overs before Prior was bowled by Andre Russell for a run a ball 21 with the score on 48. Skipper Strauss soon followed for 31 off 39 including one six leaving England 79-2 off 11.2 overs as Trott and Bell took over in the middle. England looked to be crusing on 121-2 before Trott was leg spinner Devendra Bishoo's first international wicket as he chipped the ball to Chris Gale at mid-wicket for a well played 47. This sparked a collapse for England, yet again. Ian Bell was bowled brilliantly by Kemar Roach for a frustrating 27, Eoin Morgan was caught behind needlessly off Bishoo for 7 and Ravi Bopara fell cheaply also as he chopped on to his own stumps after a delievery from Roach. England were now left reeling on 151-6 with Luke Wright and James Tredwell left at the crease. Wright, after his supprise inclusion, suddenly became the key man. Both men managed to put on 41 together before a mix up saw Tredwell run out for 9. Tim Bresnan joined Wright in the middle with the score on 192-7. Wright turned out to be the the lift England needed as he came out of his shell to smash England towards a respectable total, before he was bowled for a very well played 44 off 57 balls. Tim Bresnan also contributed with 20 off 27 as England were bowled out for a decent 243 off 48.4 overs.
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| Wright scored a vital 44 to rescue England |
The West Indies, although they let England get up to a good score with some poor bowling and fielding in the last few overs, would still fancy their chances with some powerful hitters in the side such as Chris Gale, Kieron Pollard, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Darren Sammy. England would have to produce the kind of performance that saw them beat South Africa a few weeks ago.
Typically, Chris Gale started the innings in an explosive style, smashing England's opening bowlers, Tremlett and Bresnan for 36 runs in the first two overs as the West Indies were well on the way on 50-0 off 5 overs. England needed something to turn the tide, and Strauss provided that something, buy bringing on the off-spinners Swann and Tredwell. However, it wasn't the lead man Swann who provided the breakthrough, it was the unlikely lad Tredwell who got the prize wicket of Gale, LBW for 43 off 21 balls. Tredwell then dismissed Devon Smith, the other opening batsman, stumped by Prior for 10 and England were back in the game as the West Indies stuttered on 67-2.
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| Gale took the attack to England from the start |
Darren Sammy took the attack to England as he started to smash the England bowlers around the park. Tredwell, however, continued to take wickets as he dismissed Darren Bravo for 5 after an excellent catch by Strauss at first slip. Ravi Bopara then provided the vital wicket of Sammy as he played onto his own stumps for 41 off 29 including 3 sixes. Pollard produced a brief camio as he looked to put his side back into the accendancy but Graeme Swann provided England with that huge wicket as he was caught LBW for 24. Wickets continued to tumble as Swann, Tredwell and Bopara reeked havock as the Windies fell away. However, Andre Russell gave his side hope as he smashed 49, however, it was going to be England's night as they tore through the rest of the West Indian batting line up to complete a fantastic 18 run victory and bowl the West Indies out for 225 as Jonathon Trott ran out Suliman Benn to spark off wild England celebrations.
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| Tredwell's 4-48 was crucial to England's win |
After the victory, England confiremed that young Surrey fast bowler Jade Dernbach is to be called up to the squad to replace the injured Ajmal Shahzad. Dernbach's call up is a supprise to many, but his reletively unknown ability might prove a positive for England as teams won't be aware of his strengths and weaknesses.
England are likely to face Sri Lanka in Colombo in the quater finals, and are only three victories away from becoming World Champions. But lets not get carried away.. yet.
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