Rajkot ODI; England had to bow to a superior force

London, Nov.15 (ANI): The first of seven one-day internationals between England and India in Rajkot was so one-sided, that former England Test cricketer and now cricket writer Derek Pringle has said that England had no choice but to bow to a superior force.

Writing in The Telegraph, Pringle says: "To lose a one-day international in India is nothing new for visiting teams, but to lose one by 158 runs over 50 overs is to bow to a superior force".

Admitting that the series was only a match old, Pringle goes on to say that it would be premature to write England off with six matches remaining, but adds that "this was such a mismatch that you fear for the morale of Pietersen's team should they be handed another beating like this in the next few games."

India, he says, surpassed itself in all departments of the game, whereas England's batsmen by contrast looked crabbed and self-conscious when they began their run-chase. (ANI)