England’s last game was a real end of the season affair
Charlie Austin22-Jan-2000England’s last game was a real end of the season affair. England withnothing to gain but more humiliation won easily in the end, defeatingNepal by 64 runs.But there was time for a couple of scares along the way and Nepal’stotal, their highest of the tournament will have raised some eyebrows.England who won the toss and elected to bat were reduced to 39-3 whenJohn Maunders (6), Jimmy Adams(13) and Ian Bell (13) all fell cheaply.However a fine 116 run partnership between Ian Pattison and theirrepressible Gary Pratt rescued the potentially embarrassingsituation and took control of the game. Gary Pratt (51) has been theone highlight of this tour and this was his third fifty. Pattison’s97 today being the only other one of the tour.The final total of 260 was always likely to be too many for anextremely weak, but highly enthusiastic Nepalese side. England triedtheir best to assist Nepal and make a game of it by gifting them with36 wides – 50 extras in total.Nepal had progressed to 71-1 before Graeme Bridge and Tim Phillipsinitiated a stunning collapse. Nepal folded to 95-7. However theNepalese, who have always been admired for their resilience, are atenacious bunch and refused to give up. A fine eighth wicketpartnership between Aamir Akhtar and Paras Luniva of 57 was followedwith a ninth wicket partnership of 39. Nepal was finally bowled outfor 196.