The Indian Express: Indian hockey team began their Europe tour on a losing note, suffering a 1-3 defeat against England in the rain-soaked opening encounter of the three-match Test series here. Ben Hawes (1st minute), Barry Middleton (18th) and Richard Smith (68th) scored for the hosts, while Dhananjay Mahadik (8th) reduced the margin for India.
After an opening ceremony that included the Lord Mayor of Birmingham meeting the two teams, the match got off amid torrential rain late last night and England got off to a perfect start with a goal inside 60 seconds when Ben Hawes’ effort went in off Ajitesh Roy’s stick. Two minutes later England earned their first of 10 penalty corners but Ashley Jackson’s effort was well charged down by the first runner Vikram Pillay. India recovered soon and responded in kind, earning their first penalty corner six minutes later. Gurwinder Singh Chandi’s pass found its way to Dhananjay Mahadik, courtesy VS Vinaya’s dummy, and the Indian army man flicked it powerfully across James Fair and inside the post to equalise. England took the lead again in the 18th minute after setting the foundations from their fourth penalty corner. James Tindall shot powerfully from the top of the circle but after hitting the stick of first runner Pillay the ball went off the side deep in Indian territory. Barry Middleton seized the opportunity after the ball had ricocheted off Sandeep Singh’s stick. With goalkeeper Adrian D’Souza struggling to readjust his position, the England skipper swept home while lying prone on the ground.