Coolidge, Antigua – 26 October 2008 – England prevailed over Middlesex in a low-scoring encounter to emerge with a 12-run victory in the second match of the Stanford Super series on Sunday night. Both teams found batting difficult and the experience of England won out against the domestic Twenty20 champions.England, batting first after winning the toss, managed 121 for four, but hit back to restrict Middlesex to 109 for four.

“I think we did exceptionally well to get the total we got,” said England captain Kevin Pietersen.

“At the end of the day, we can take a lot of positives from this game, especially having not played cricket for about two months. I think the boys did brilliantly well tonight.”

England’s total was built on the contributions of the first three batsmen but neither completely dominated.

Owais Shah, batting at No. 3, hit the topscore of 39 of 37 balls, while openers Ian Bell, who scored 23 off 25 balls and Matt Prior, with 29 off 32 balls, provided England with a sound start that could not be converted into an acceleration.

The restriction in the middle of the innings came from the spin duo of Murali Kartik and Shaun Udal.

Kartik, a former India left-arm spinner, removed Prior and Pietersen in four overs that were spoilt only by three front foot no-balls that gave England free hits from which they did not capitalise.

Both teams had their share of difficulties in the field. Middlesex missed at least four chances, while England put down two.

The majority of Middlesex’s response lacked the necessary kick that was needed to challenge England’s total.

The early pressure was applied by left-arm fast bowler Ryan Sidebottom, who took an early wicket and gave up only five runs in two overs on his return after an injury lay-off.

Stuart Broad also bowled impressively in his four overs that cost 13 and included a wicket.

Middlesex’s main source of runs came from the bat of Dawid Malan with an unbeaten 44 off 32 balls, but there was too much for him to do at the end.

Ed Joyce also weighed in with 33 but it was too little in the circumstances.

In spite of the defeat, Middlesex captain Shaun Udal was not entirely disappointed at the result.

“We did our best in the conditions. We were up against the best bowlers in the country – the Flintoffs, Andersons and Broads. They all bowled beautifully,” Udul said.

“They are a quality side. They are the best the country has got.”.