Bedfordshire stars shine for England in India

Cricket: Former Bedfordshire cricketers Alastair Cook, Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann were in superb form as England thrashed India by 10 wickets in Mumbai.

Bedford Modern School old boy Panesar made a mockery of having been left out for the nine-wicket first Test defeat in Ahmedabad, by taking 11-210 in the game as India were bowled out for 327 and 142, in reply to the tourists’ total of 413.

Captain Cook, the former Bedford School pupil who is in charge of his first Test series, made 122 in the first innings total of 413, his 22nd century, equalling the highest number made by an England player.

Spinner Swann also starred with 8-113, as Cook made an unbeaten 18 in the second innings as England easily made their 57 victory target without losing a wicket.

Batsman Kevin Pietersen took the man of the match award with his 186, but was quick to praise the efforts of Panesar and fellow spinner Swann.

He said: “Panesar, Swann were outstanding in that second innings. What a difference a week makes.”

Cook added: “The way Swanny and Monty bowled when the pressure was on, not to let India get away was fantastic.”

Meanwhile, opposing captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni felt Panesar had been the difference between the two sides as he added: “None of the other bowlers troubled the batsmen in the way that Monty did.

“All the other bowlers got turn and bounce, but the pace Monty was bowling at made it so much more difficult.”

The third Test starts in Kolkata on Wednesday, December 5.

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