Happy returns for old coach Bracewell (From Gazette Series)

Happy returns for old coach Bracewell

12:27pm Sunday 22nd June 2008

• Print
• Email
• Share

FORMER Gloucestershire coach John Bracewell celebrated an unlikely victory at his old home as England slumped to a 22-run defeat against his New Zealand side at the county ground in Bristol yesterday.

Paul Collingwood's men got off to a perfect start, restricting New Zealand to 49 for five, as Stuart Broad shone with 2-14 from the ten overs he bowled straight through.

When Kiwi skipper was caught by Owais Shah off Graeme Swann, the tourists were reeling at 110 for 7 but a determined 56 from all-rounder Grant Elliott and a hard-hitting 47 off 40 balls from man-of-the-match Kyle Mills enabled the tourists add 50 in the last five overs.

England slumped to 64 for six but looked on course to snatch victory with Collingwood and Swann forging a 65-run stand but lost their last three wickets for eight runs in four overs to seal New Zealand's triumph.

England captain Collingwood said: "We're very disappointed we didn't take an opportunity here. We had the opportunity to be pretty ruthless and go 2-0 up and we kept losing wickets."

• Print
• Email
• Share