Magnesium Irani takes England to victory

England beat Bangladesh by 77 runs in an ICC Champions Trophy warm-up game played at the NCC ground in Colombo. Ronnie Irani came in to bat as a pinch-hitter after the early exit of Marcus Trescothick (9), and went on to make a match-winning hundred off 118 balls with the help of a dozen boundaries.

Nick Knight failed to make an impression, making just 15 off 32 balls before being bowled by Khaleed Mahmud. Owais Shah, playing in the side as a wicket-keeper after Alec Stewart had pulled out with a stomach bug, played sensibly to score 49 off 63 balls. Along with Irani, he added 71 runs for the third wicket.

Ian Blackwell played a cracking innings of 56 off 49 balls (one six, four fours) and gave the English score the required momentum. England lost both Irani and Blackwell after adding 115 runs for the fourth wicket with the score on 241. Dominic Cork and Jeremy Snape took England to a total of 265 for the loss of seven wickets in their allotted 50 overs.

Bangladesh were never allowed to chase the target by the English bowlers. Their fielding was also top class; the run out of Alok Kapal by Nasser Hussain was of the highest standard. Attacking the ball from covers, Hussain picked up the ball and had a direct hit - all in one action.

Dominic Cork (2/32) and James Kirtley (1/25) bowled well for England. Blackwell chipped in with 3/21 towards the end as Bangladesh were bowled out for 188 in the final over of the game. Only Al Sahariar (41) and Habibul Bashar (36) could make some noteworthy runs.

Talking to the media after ensuring an England win, Irani said that he is very much playing in the role of a pinch-hitter in this England team. "I am looking forward to being more consistent in what I do, I have learnt a lot out there today, I certainly enjoyed scoring the hundred" said Irani.

Irani drinks a lot of water to fight dehydration, as much as a litre and half before he goes to sleep. And he reckons that it is not the heat in Sri Lanka that he finds it difficult, "It is not the heat; it is the air." The days are quite humid in this island country in the Indian Ocean.

Irani believes that without the magnesium supplements that he has been on for the last few years, he would not have made through to score the hundred. Magnesium, along with calcium helps with contraction and relaxation of the muscles and so helps a player to avoid the dreaded cramp in the middle of the match.

Irani, who calls himself a vitamin junkie, pops in some 20 of the magnesium tablets a day, and takes it as a supplement while playing, mixing it with water.

Obviously he is aware of the doping policy for the World Cup 2003 and was quick to get rid of all the doubts saying, "I have been tested many times in the English county circuit and have come out clean."

Irani also mentioned that he has given a few sachets to Hussain, who had struggled with cramp during the NatWest Series final. He couldn't believe that it has taken so long for cricketers to find out this mineral's wonderful properties, even though the Bayern Munich soccer team has been using it for almost 23 years.

A beaming Irani signed off saying, "It is simple science, not rocket science."