Careless England lose that field good factor

10 April 2012

England's fielding let them down badly against Victoria today as they dropped young opening batsman Michael Hill four times to allow him to reach a maiden first-class century.

The tourists' superb work in the field has proved the cornerstone of their fine form Down Under so far. In the innings victory over Australia in Adelaide this week, England's ground fielding was outstanding and their catching almost flawless.

On day one of this three-day tour match at a deserted MCG, it was a different story. Matt Prior, playing only as a batsman to allow reserve wicketkeeper Steven Davies some match action, put down a simple chance at third slip off Chris Tremlett that would have meant a first-ball duck for Hill.

Prior was the culprit again when Hill had 21, spilling the ball at midwicket after the batsman had attempted to clip Monty Panesar through the leg side. Hill's highest first-class score before today was 79 but when he was dropped a third time — by Davies off Tremlett when he had made 62 — the 22-year-old must have sensed this was his day.

When Tremlett gave Hill his fourth reprieve on 92, shelling down a straightforward chance at mid-on off Tim Bresnan, the century was inevitable.

Shortly after he completed it, Victoria declared on 216 for two.

Alastair Cook was caught behind off left-arm spinner Jon Holland for 27 as England closed 50 for one.

Before this match, Tremlett was in pole position to replace the injured Stuart Broad in next week's Third Test in Perth and he remains the favourite as neither Bresnan nor Ajmal Shahzad was able to boost their candidacy for the WACA.

Bresnan was the only one of the pace trio to strike, removing opener Ryan Carters with an excellent away-swinger that took the edge and gave Davies an easy catch but the fast men found it hard going on a sluggish MCG wicket.

Panesar took the only other wicket to fall when Cameron White bizarrely lofted the spinner straight to Shahzad at mid-off, before Hill and David Hussey put on an unbroken 147 prior the declaration, Hussey left unbeaten on 67.

Graeme Swann, Steve Finn, Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen were all rested for this match but Pietersen has been recalled for the Twenty20 and one-day international matches that follow the Test series.

The batsman was dropped for the limited-overs matches against Pakistan last summer, prompting his infamous message on Twitter. Yet after his double century in Adelaide last week, it was virtually impossible for the selectors to omit KP.

"I do think leaving him out worked," said national selector Geoff Miller. "He was battling with his form and it was necessary for him to have a rest. We knew what a quality player he was and he has returned to form."

There was also a first call-up for Warwickshire paceman Chris Woakes and Tremlett was also included but Ravi Bopara, Prior and Cook were all omitted from the 17-man squad. England will name their 30-man list for the World Cup on 19 December, before trimming it to 15 on 19 January.

SQUAD: Strauss (capt, ODI series only), Collingwood (T20 capt), Kieswetter (T20 series only), Davies, Trott, Pietersen, Bell, Morgan, Yardy, Swann, Bresnan, Anderson, Shahzad, Wright, Tredwell, Tremlett, Woakes.

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