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Solanki toast of England team
Udaipur-born Vikram Solanki was the toast of England cricket team after he played a leading role in crushing the India in Nottingham.
Udaipur-born Vikram Solanki was the toast of the England cricket team after he played a leading role in crushing the Indian opposition in Nottingham on Wednesday.
Solanki, fresh from his century for Worcestershire in the C&G Trophy final at the Lord's over the weekend, capped his return to the England side with a confident 50.
His England career looked to be hanging by a thread when he was dropped after a poor showing in Bangladesh in the winter.
"I was disappointed with the way things went in Bangladesh and I felt I needed to work on a number of aspects of my game," Solanki said.
"I did that. I came back and worked hard in county cricket and hoped for the best."
Solanki was trapped plumb in front by Irfan Pathan one ball after hitting his second one-day 50.
"Tracking a total like 170 required one of the top-order to bat through," he noted.
"Unfortunately I didn't bat throughout the innings. I would have loved to do that and finished not out and seen us home that way."
The England team also toasted Stephen Harmison, who became the second England player ever to take a one-day hat-trick, after James Anderson, who achieved the feat against Pakistan at the Oval last summer.
Harmison paid a tribute to Alex Wharf, who claimed three wickets in his first three overs of international cricket.
"It was fantastic - when he took three in three we thought he would go through them," he added.
Skipper Michael Vaughan was equally impressed by Wharf, and admitted England were full of confidence.
"Wharf has played a great part and I'm delighted for him on his debut," Vaughan said.
"We played good cricket and to restrict the innings to 170 was a fantastic effort."
Wharf was thrilled with his contribution, if a little overawed by the occasion.
"It is just amazing," he said. "It is great to be around some great players. I'm still on cloud nine. I'm a pretty quiet guy so I'll just take it in my stride."
