Cricket: 'Naughty boy nets' England punished with extra practice.

Byline: By MYLES HODGSON

ENGLAND were sentenced to an impromptu practice session after suffering a humiliating defeat yesterday in their final match before the start of the one-day international series against India.

Just three days before the opening game of a seven-match series in Rajkot, England's preparations were thrown into disarray by a 124-run defeat to a Mumbai side largely made up of club professionals.

None of the players who dismissed the tourists for just 98 inside 25 overs are considered part of their squad for the Ranji Trophy, the main domestic competition in India.

It was a humbling experience with only three players - Samit Patel, Graeme Swann and Jimmy Anderson - even reaching double figures, and followed just 10 days after England were dismissed for 99 in the Stanford showdown in Antigua.

The embarrassing display prompted coach Peter Moores and his backroom staff to order a practice session in the middle, normally known as "naughty boy nets", after the match finished.

But for a 34-run last-wicket stand between Swann and Anderson, England's humiliation would have been even greater, although captain Kevin Pietersen did his best to shrug off the significance of the result.

"It's a tough few lessons we need to learn," he said. "It's competitive cricket and there is a need to respect opposition and make sure we go and do the business.

"But there are no dramas. If we did this in the internationals three or four games in a row then there is a drama, but this is not it."

Pietersen was one of five members of the top seven dismissed for single-figure scores, in his case a third-ball duck when he advanced down the wicket to 23-year-old seamer Kshemal Waingankar, and was given lbw.

"The boys will be disappointed and you're never happy when you lose," said the England captain.

"But it's not these games that count, no one ever knows what happened in the tour games in Pakistan or Australia or wherever.

"It is the internationals that count and I know the lads will have their heads on and come out firing on Friday."

England expect Stuart Broad, who sat out the dismal defeat with a sore right knee, to be fit for selection for Friday's series opener.

However, they are unlikely to consider Ryan Sidebottom as he battles back to fitness from Achilles problems.

TODAY: (10.00 unless stated) First One Day International (1 day) Abu Dhabi: Pakistan v West Indies Third One Day International (1 day) East London: South Africa v Bangladesh (12.30)

CAPTION(S):

Luke Wright after being caught out in England's defeat to Mumbai yesterday