England lost the toss and laboured to 153-7, a score which would require a fine bowling effort to defend. Fortunately that's exactly what it got. Sidebottom (2-31), Swann (2-28) and Broad (0-21) in particular were superb, sending down balls which the usually free-scoring Indians were unable to dispatch to the boundary. India finished three runs short of England's total, on 150-5.
England rarely look comfortable when batting first. The foundations for their innings were laid by Pietersen (46) and Bopara (37), who shared a 71 run partnership, but 154 always looked like an achievable target for the 2007 champions. However, England bowled and fielded with panache, utilising the pace and bounce of the pitch and limiting their opponents' scoring options. India required 19 off the last over, and despite a six and four, Sidebottom held his nerve and collected the Man of the Match award.
Now all that stands between England and the semi-finals, is the West Indies.
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