England v India

At Nottingham, September 1. England won by seven wickets. Toss: England. One-day international debut: A. G. Wharf.

Alex Wharf, a blunt-speaking Yorkshireman from Central Casting and the epitome of the journeyman pro, grabbed three wickets on debut to help set up an emphatic England win. Aged 29 and at his third county, Wharf was only in the squad because of injury to Kabir Ali, though he was the man in form, having taken six for five for Glamorgan v Kent three days earlier. He began unpromisingly with a no-ball, but with his fifth legitimate delivery persuaded Ganguly to miscue a pull to Jones. In Wharf's next over, Laxman edged behind, and in his third Dravid fell hooking: a respectable trio of victims with which to begin an international career. India, now 80 for four, never properly recovered. Kaif did produce a sensible fifty to see them to some sort of score, before Harmison wrapped up the innings in fine style. He became only the second England bowler to take a one-day international hat-trick, after James Anderson had removed the last three Pakistani batsmen at The Oval the previous summer. Harmison, though, was fortunate to gain his second wicket when umpire Shepherd ruled Balaji out after the ball came off his arm guard. Fresh from a hundred in the C&G Trophy final, Solanki made 52 on his first international outing for ten months, while Flintoff - the new Barnum - finished the match with a six off Kumble. Man of the Match: A. G. Wharf. Attendance: 15,348; receipts £448,332.