CRICKET: In this city of pink, England's batting embarrassment was of the deepest red, and although their bowlers did their best to mask the blushes it was to no avail.

The talk all last week had been solidly upbeat, with Andrew Flintoff moved to say that on their day England could beat anybody. Finding that particular day is the problem. Yesterday, having been put in to bat, they were bowled out for a measly 125 in 37 overs, their lowest score against India in a one-day international, and lost their opening Champions Trophy group match by four wickets.

In truth the pre-match optimism was not based on anything much - two successive limited-overs wins against Pakistan in the summer hardly constituted a one-day revival - although the return of Freddie was deemed the alchemy that would turn base metal to gold. Flintoff duly batted up the order at number three and was out for nought, leaving England 11 for two. They were never properly to recover.

Such was the starburst of jubilant celebration when Flintoff fell lbw to Irfan Pathan that you might have supposed India had won the Trophy there and then. Fielders raced in from all directions to add their congratulations to a bowler who has been going through difficult times. Now he was a hero. India knew what Flintoff might do to them. That he lasted a mere seven balls left Rahul Dravid and his team beside themselves with delight.

Of course that still left Kevin Pietersen but the mists that had settled over the city's northern hills at the beginning of the day were seemingly in the minds of the England players too, and a wild swipe by the Hampshire batsmen near the beginning of his innings hardly boded well. At least he managed the first legitimate boundary of the day but his stay, like those of many of his colleagues, ended with a nothing shot which saw Sachin Tendulkar cherry-pick him at slip off Munaf Patel, the seamer having previously dismissed Ian Bell and Michael Yardy. When Pietersen, having made 27, trudged off, England were 55 for five off 18 overs, and that was pretty much that.

Limited overs, it seems, means limited performances, and with Australia in their second group match here on Saturday, England's stay may be short unless the batting improves radically.

Guardian Service