Little-known Namibian batsman Christi Viljoen fell two short of his maiden first-class hundred as England’s bowlers were given a good work-out in their tour opener against a ICC Combined XI here on Saturday.
The 24-year-old right-hander struck his highest first-class score of 98 to help his team recover from a precarious 177-8 to 281 all out on a typical slow pitch at the Global Cricket Academy Ground here. In reply, England closed the first day at 16-0 with Alistair Cook and Andrew Strauss both unbeaten on eight, as they seek a good innings before the first Test against Pakistan starts here on January 17.
England will play another three-day match, against a Pakistan Cricket Board XI, also in Dubai from January 11-13. England, who won the toss and decided to bowl first, were given a good start by fit-again paceman Stuart Broad who dismissed the Irish opening pair of William Porterfield (one) and Paul Stirling (seven) and Scotsman Kyle Coetzer (one) in his first three overs. Stockily-built Afghan batsman Mohammad Shahzad produced an aggressive innings of 51 off just 58 balls before Combined XI were rescued by Viljoen.
