Browsing: England

England are dumped out of the ICC Champions Trophy with a game to spare as Afghanistan pull off one of their most famous wins courtesy of Ibrahim Zadran’s record-breaking knock.

England have been dumped out of the ICC Champions Trophy by Afghanistan after agonisingly falling short in their effort to chase down 326.

Ibrahim Zadran produced the highest-ever knock in the competition’s history, hitting 177 as Afghanistan rallied from a poor start to make 325-7 off their 50 overs.

Joe Root responded with a century of his own, making 120, but it was all in vain as Afghanistan closed out one of their most famous wins by an eight-run margin, eliminating England with a game to spare.

While Afghanistan need to beat Australia to progress through to the semi-finals, England will be merely playing for pride when they meet South Africa.

How did match pan out?

The highest individual score in Champions Trophy history ✅

What an innings from Ibrahim Zadran 🙌 pic.twitter.com/DNCrPw5Qe9

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) February 26, 2025

Despite having lost the toss, England would have fancied their chances of prevailing in Lahore, their hopes bolstered by Jofra Archer reducing Afghanistan to 37-3.

However, Ibrahim stood firm to produce one of the greatest innings in one-day international history, the 23-year-old hitting 177 from 146 balls in an innings that featured 12 fours and six maximums.

Liam Livingstone dismissed the opener in the final over, yet it was too little too late. Hashmatullah Shahidi (40), Azmatullah Omarzai (41) and Mohammad Nabi (40) all supported Zadran to take Afghanistan to an imposing total.

The fast start to their reply that England required did not materialise, Phil Salt (12) and Jamie Smith (9) out by 6.1 overs, and it left the remainder of the order with an uphill task.

Root did his part, lasting almost three hours for his 120 from 111 deliveries, but Harry Brook (25) and Jos Buttler (38) were only at the crease for 63 balls between them.

Jamie Overton chipped away for 32 from 28, but wickets were falling at regular intervals, Omarzai posting figures of 5-58.

His final wicket came from the penultimate ball, England left eight runs short and facing the criticism that will follow with Buttler to contemplate what could prove to be his final game as ODI captain.

ID:566573:1false2false3false: from db desktop :LenBod:collect3805:

Source link

Sports Mole previews the final 2025 One Day International match between India and England, scheduled to be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Wednesday.

India will be aiming to complete a clean sweep when their ODI series against England heads to the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Gujarat for the third and final match on Wednesday.

The Men in Blue have been excellent over the last month, claiming the T20I series 4-1, while they hold an unassailable 2-0 lead in the 50-over format after a stunning victory in Cuttack on Sunday.

Match preview

© Imago

India continued their sensational white-ball form over the weekend when they notched up yet another four-wicket victory over England, as they chased down a target of 305 with 33 balls to spare.

Leading the charge was their skipper Rohit Sharma, who smashed 119 runs in just 90 balls, including 12 fours and seven sixes at the top of the order, while vice-captain Shubman Gill played an excellent backup role with 60 runs of 52.

Sharma’s knock saw him break several records, including surpassing legend Sachin Tendulkar‘s 15,335 runs scored by an Indian opener across all formats, placing him second on the all-time list behind Virender Sehwag‘s 16,119.

Additionally, he became the second-highest six-hitter in ODI history, now on 334, surpassing Chris Gayle‘s 331, leaving him just 17 short of Shahid Afridi‘s 351 for Pakistan at the summit of the list.

However, while the hosts’ captain grabbed the headlines, India had several impressive contributions toward the victory, including Shreyas Iyer‘s 44 of 47 and Axar Patel‘s unbeaten 41, while Ravindra Jadeja once again starred with the ball, picking up 3/35 in his 10 overs.

© Imago

Meanwhile, after Jos Buttler won the toss and elected to bat first, Phil Salt and Ben Duckett put on a solid 81-run opening partnership, and a series comeback genuinely looked on for England in Cuttack.

Unfortunately for the Three Lions, despite posting a very defendable total, their bowling lineup struggled to make in-roads, highlighted by Adil Rashid, who has been their best bowler during this tour, going for 1/78 in his 10 overs.

England’s pace attack was largely ineffective, with Saqib Mahmood and Mark Wood both ending wicketless, while Gus Atkinson claimed the scalp of Hardik Pandya late in the day, but shipped over nine runs per over in doing so.

The result brought with it an unwanted record for Brendan McCullum‘s side, as they have now lost 27 matches after scoring 300+ plus runs – the most of any team in the 50-over format of the game.

However, there were a couple of positives that the visitors would have taken from that match, such as Joe Root‘s knock of 69 from 72 balls and Duckett’s impressive striking at the top of the order.

Team News

© Imago

Jasprit Bumrah was expected to return to the squad for the third ODI, but given that the Men in Blue have already wrapped up the series, it is likely that they will not risk their star speedster ahead of the Champions Trophy.

Yashasvi Jaiswal made way for Virat Kohli‘s return on Sunday, but Gautam Gambhir may consider recalling the opener to the starting lineup in midweek, while Arshdeep Singh is also in contention to make his first appearance in this series.

Root registered his 40th ODI half-century, taking his tally of fifty-plus scores to 56, which includes 16 centuries, surpassing former captain Eoin Morgan to register the most fifty-plus scores for England.

After missing out the weekend’s match due to a hamstring injury, all-rounder Jacob Bethell has now been ruled out for an extended period, which has led to Tom Banton being recalled to the England squad following a three-year absence.

India squad: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja

England squad: Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Tom Banton, Liam Livingstone, Brydon Carse, Jamie Overton, Jos Buttler, Jamie Smith, Philip Salt, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood, Mark Wood

Series so far

ODI 1 of 3: India won by 4 wickets
England – 248 (47.4)
India – 251/6 (38.4)

ODI 2 of 3: India won by 4 wickets
England – 304 (49.5)
India – 308/6 (44.3)

© PA Photos

We say: India to win

England have had no answer to India’s dominance during this tour, and while they will want to salvage some pride in this match, we feel the hosts will once again be too good for the Three Lions.

ID:565273:1false2false3false: from db desktop :LenBod:collect9914:

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole‘s daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!
Source link

India secure an unassailable lead in their one-day international series with England courtesy of a four-wicket victory in Cuttack.

England have succumbed to another tame defeat at the hands of India with the home side prevailing by four wickets in Cuttack.

Having posted a target of 305, England would have fancied their chances of defending that sizeable total, yet the brilliance of Rohit Sharma ensured a routine India run chase with 33 balls to spare.

The defeat ensures that India have established an unassailable 2-0 series lead with one match remaining, with that contest taking place on Wednesday.

In winning the toss, England took the chance to try to post a target that would at least test their hosts, and Phil Salt and Ben Duckett on 81 runs for the opening wicket.

On the back of Salt being dismissed for 26, Duckett and Joe Root impressed with knocks of 65 and 69 respectively, but scoring at a rapid rate despite a lack of maximums.

Sitting on 219-3 after 38.3 overs, England felt in relative control, but the dismissal of Jos Buttler for 34 left England reliant on Liam Livingstone, with the all-rounder making 41 from 32.

Adil Rashid added a valuable 14 from five deliveries, but three run outs cost England and kept India in the game.

Sharma is finally OUT âÂÅ’

Adil Rashid takes a fine catch but the damage has been done by the Indian captain!

📺 Watch #INDvENG on @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/hDgkaY38EW

— Cricket on TNT Sports (@cricketontnt) February 9, 2025

Sharma obliterates England attack

Rohit and Shubman Gill were outstanding during the opening stages of the reply, with a 136-run partnership being compiled before Jamie Overton dismissed Gill after a knock of 60 from 52 balls.

Nevertheless, although Virat Kohli went cheaply for five, England were powerless when it came to dealing with Rohit, who ultimately scored 119 from 90 balls in an innings that featured 12 boundaries and seven maximums.

Shreyas Iyer (44) and Axar Patel (41*) were able to manoeuvre the ball around to act as the ideal foil to their skipper, and it proved decisive as the win was achieved with 33 deliveries remaining.

ID:565186:1false2false3false: from db desktop :LenBod:collect3950:

Source link

India cruise into an early series lead against England with a routine four-wicket victory in Nagpur on Thursday.

England have slumped to a one-sided defeat against India in the first one-day international in Nagpur.

Having suffered a 4-1 defeat in the recent T20 series, Jos Buttler‘s side are under pressure to respond in the 50-over format.

Instead, the tourists were bowled all out for 248 with 16 deliveries to spare before India made light work of their target on home territory to prevail by four wickets.

Buttler and his side now have three days to ponder how to turn their fortunes around with India holding all the answers ahead of the second ODI.

Although England initially started on the front foot with a 75-run opening partnership, that quickly became 77-3 just seven balls later.

Phil Salt and Ben Duckett scored 43 and 32 respectively, but Harry Brook was out for a third-ball duck and Joe Root made just 19 from 31 deliveries.

While Buttler and Jacob Bethell steadied the ship with knocks of 52 and 51, India continued to strike at regular intervals, with Harshit Rana (3-53) and Ravindra Jadeja (3-26) the pick of the bowlers.

Shubman Gill is motoring ðŸâ€Â¥

England are out of ideas.

📺 Watch #INDvENG on @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/A9aKrUwlw8

— Cricket on TNT Sports (@cricketontnt) February 6, 2025

England fail to build on early Archer wicket

Having contributed a potentially-decisive 21 not out with the bat, Jofra Archer took India’s first wicket in the fifth over with Yashasvi Jaiswal departing for 15.

Saqib Mahmood followed up by dismissing Rohit Sharma for just two, yet it was all India from that moment as Shubman Gill led the charge.

As well as Gill hitting 14 boundaries in a majestic 87 from 96, Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel chipped in with 59 and 52 respectively.

Although India were reduced from 221-3 to 235-6, having 13 overs to score 14 runs meant that they were never in any danger of losing the match.

The win was wrapped up with 68 balls to spare, with England left in no doubt that two faultless performances may be required to turn the series around.

ID:564949:1false2false3false: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4150:

Source link

Sports Mole previews the fifth and final 2025 T20 match between India and England, scheduled to be played at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.

The fifth and final match in the T20I series between India and England will come to us from the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday afternoon.

This is a dead-rubber contest as India have already secured the series, currently 3-1 up after beating their opponents by 15 runs in Pune on Friday.

Match preview

© Imago

A thrilling final-match encounter looked to be on the cards when India were sent in to bat after losing their first toss in the series and were stunned by a triple-wicket maiden by Saqib Mahmood in the second over.

However, Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube came to the rescue of the Men in Blue, scoring 53 runs apiece to set their opponents an imposing 182-run target, which proved to be enough to earn them yet another series win in the shortest format.

The victory was certainly not without controversy though – after Dube got hit on the helmet during his knock, Harshit Rana was brought in for his T20I debut as a concussion replacement and made a huge impact with the ball, picking up 3/33 in his four-over allotment.

Given Rana has a far more significant bowling threat than Dube, the substitution sparked debate, with England skipper Jos Buttler claiming in his post-match press conference that his team felt, “It was not a like-for-like replacement.”

Still, India were probably worthy winners, as they navigated the second innings very well, with Ravi Bishnoi and Axar Patel strangling the Three Lions’ middle order at a crucial point in the match, while Varun Chakravarthy produced another tidy spell of 2/28 to help bowl their opponents out for 166 in the final over.

© Imago

England could not have asked for a better start in Pune, with Mahmood, who came in for Mark Wood, making an immediate impact, knocking over India’s top order of Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav, in his first over of the tour.

However, all that changed when Pandya strolled to the crease at 79/5 and teamed up with Dube for an 87-run partnership that set the T20I world champions up for what turned out to be the highest first-inning total of the series so far.

In reply, Ben Duckett and Phil Salt notched up a 62-run stand for the opening wicket, while Harry Brook added 51 of just 26 balls, but the team once again struggled against spin bowling.

So far in this series, the Three Lions have lost 24 of their 38 wickets to spinners, highlighting their ongoing difficulties, while raising concerns about Brendon McCullum‘s tactics and decision-making under pressure, especially on turning pitches.

England’s difficulties against spin are not confined to white-ball cricket, though, as we also saw them battle to cope with Pakistan’s spin duo of Sajid Khan and Nauman Ali in their 2-1 Test series loss last year.

Team News

© Imago

With the pressure off and the series in the bag, India will be hoping that struggling skipper Yadav and Samson are able to rediscover their form in Mumbai, with the pair having only contributed 26 and 35 runs respectively in the four matches so far.

After an impressive performance with the ball in the last match, Rana may be given a starting spot in this one, while India bowling coach Morne Morkel hinted that Mohammed Shami could be brought back into the team as well.

Mahmood will likely retain his spot following his impressive opening spell in game four, while Buttler and McCullum may consider giving young Rehan Ahmed a taste of the sub-continent pitch in the last game of the series.

Adil Rashid will almost certainly start as the visitor’s primary spin option, while Wood may continue to be saved for the one-day international series that gets underway in Nagpur on Thursday morning.

India squad: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson(WK), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav(C), Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Shami, Varun Chakravarthy, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Dhruv Jurel, Harshit Rana

England squad: Ben Duckett, Philip Salt(WK), Jos Buttler(C), Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Saqib Mahmood, Brydon Carse, Jamie Smith, Rehan Ahmed

Series so far

T20 1 of 5: India won by 7 wickets
England – 132 (20)
India – 133/3 (12.5)

T20 2 of 5: India won by 2 wickets
England – 165/9 (20)
India – 166/8 (19.2)

T20 3 of 5: England won by 26 runs
England – 171/9 (20)
India – 145/9 (20)

T20 4 of 5: India won by 15 runs
India- 181/9 (20)
England- 166 (19.2)

© PA Photos

We say: England to win

With the series wrapped up, India are likely to make a few changes for this match to allow some of their fringe players game time ahead of the 50-over series, and that may work to England’s advantage.

The Three Lions will be determined to add some respectability to the scoreline and we fancy them to do so with a final-match victory on Sunday.

ID:564583:1false2false3false: from db desktop :LenBod:collect9905:

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole‘s daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!
Source link

India seal victory over England in their T20 series with a game to spare after recording a 15-run win in Pune on Friday.

India have recorded a 15-run win over England in their T20 fixture in Pune to seal victory in the series with a game to spare.

On the back of success in the third game, England had momentum heading into another pivotal contest, and restricting India to 181-9 gave Jos Buttler‘s side hope.

However, despite twice finding themselves in an advantageous position, England lost eight wickets in 10.5 overs to succumb to a decisive defeat.

England had been outstanding with the ball during the early stages of India’s innings, reducing their hosts to 12-3 as Saqib Mahmood produced the best spell of his international career to take all three wickets.

Still only on 79-5 after 10.4 overs, India were second best, but Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya each made 53 off 34 and 30 balls respectively to take India to an imposing, yet achievable, target.

Jamie Overton chipped in with two wickets, but Jofra Archer was hit for 37 without a dismissal to his name across his four overs.

Harry Br6ï¸Â⃣6ï¸Â⃣k with back-to-back maximums ðŸâ€Â¥

📺 Watch #INDvENG on @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/3q4YgmcYfS

— Cricket on TNT Sports (@cricketontnt) January 31, 2025

England let slip winning opportunity

England were magnificent during the first six overs of their reply, putting on 62 for the opening partnership, but Ben Duckett‘s dismissal for 39 with the final ball of that spell swung the pendulum in their favour.

Phil Salt (23) and Jos Buttler (2) soon followed, and it took a hard-hitting 51 from 26 deliveries from Harry Brook to move England back into the ascendancy.

However, England lost their way when Brook fell victim to Varun Chakravarthy to leave the score on 129-5 off 14.3 overs, with that soon becoming 146-8 with 36 needed off 19 balls.

Jamie Overton (19) and Adil Rashid (10*) hit maximums apiece to keep England in the game, taking them to within 21 runs off 10, but their efforts mattered little as Ravi Bishnoi and Harshit Rana finished with three wickets apiece.

ID:564525:1false2false3false: from db desktop :LenBod:collect3955:

Source link

India dominate from start to finish as they record a seven-wicket victory over England in the first T20 international at Eden Gardens.

England have started their T20 series with India on a sour note after being thrashed in the first fixture at Eden Gardens.

Heading into this five-match batch of games, England are on an unbeaten three-series run, yet it is already a tough ask to extend that streak on the back of losing by seven wickets on Wednesday.

Despite Jos Buttler producing a defiant 68 from 44 balls, England succumbed to 132 all out in their 20 overs, providing India with the platform to attack.

Abhishek Sharma responded with an exhilarating 79 from just 34 balls, incredibly hitting eight sixes during a memorable knock that ensured an easy win for the home side.

Things looked bleak for England from the third ball as Phil Salt departed for a duck, with only one other player – Harry Brook with 17 – in the top eight reaching double figures.

Buttler held firm to keep England competitive to a certain extent, but Arshdeep Singh, Hardik Pandya, Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel all taking at least two wickets as they decimated the away side’s batting lineup.

Adil Rashid can only laugh.

Abhishek Sharma is playing some stupidly good cricket. pic.twitter.com/dEzk1wXgoJ

— Cricket on TNT Sports (@cricketontnt) January 22, 2025

India breeze to target

By the time that England made their breakthrough with the ball, India were already on 41 after 4.2 overs, with Jofra Archer taking the wickets of Sanju Samson (26) and Suryakumar Yadav (0).

Nevertheless, Abhishek was simply unstoppable with the bat with 13 of the 34 deliveries that he faced ended up at or over the boundary.

Adil Rashid stopped that charge with what was essentially a token wicket towards the end of the run chase, leaving Tilak Varma‘s 19 from 16 balls to seal the win after just 12.5 overs.

The England bowling figures made for grim reading as Gus Atkinson conceded 38 runs from two overs and Rashid shipped 27 runs off his 12 deliveries.

ID:563590:1false2false3false: from db desktop :LenBod:collect3719:

Source link

Sports Mole previews the fourth 2024 T20 match between West Indies and England, scheduled to be played at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground on Saturday.

England will be aiming to maintain their unbeaten record when they face the West Indies in the fourth of five T20 internationals at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground on Saturday.

The visitors took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series by beating the hosts nation by three wickets in match three at this same venue on Thursday night.

Match preview

© Imago

After winning the ODI leg to post their fifth consecutive series win over England in the Caribbean, the West Indies will now be playing the remaining two matches in the shortest format of this series for nothing more but pride after that loss on Thursday.

The Windies were on the back foot from the off in the last match, as an incredible opening spell from Saqib Mahmood and Jofra Archer saw them reduced to 37/5 in the sixth over, with none of the top five batsman mananging to get into double digits.

Captain Rovman Powell spurred a fighback in the middle overs, scoring 54 off 41 balls including three fours and four sixes, and together with Romario Shepherd, they posted a 73-run partnership to set a defendable target of 145/8.

Akeal Hosein gave the hosts a solid start to their defence, knocking over the dangerous Phil Salt and Jos Buttler for four runs each inside the first five overs, but England’s middle order stood tough and saw out the match with three wickets and four balls to spare.

Notably, the Windies were fairly sloppy in the field – something we have not seen too often during this tour – with Nicholas Pooran and Shimron Hetmyer dropping three catches between them, which are the types of fine margins that saw them come up short in the low-scoring encounter.

© Imago

Meanwhile, although England managed to get the job done in the end in midweek, it was far from a straightforward victory, as the match hung in the balance right until the final two overs.

The Three Lions’ saw Salt, Buttler and Jacob Bethell depart for a cumulative 12 runs and had to rely on the in-form Liam Livingstone to stabilise the innings once again, which he did very well alongside Sam Curran, who top-scored with 41 of 26 balls.

However, it is that same key-man dependency that has also been a critiscm of England during this series and something the side will have to work on before heading to New Zealand and India in the next couple of months.

The biggest positive to come out of this series for the Three Lions, though, has been the rise of Saqib Mahmood, who notched up 3/17 in the last match and has potentially secured his spot as Jofra Archer’s partner with the new ball.

Despite the ups and downs during this tour, England have looked decisive in their thinking and gameplan – as we saw with Buttler allowing the quicks to bowl three overs apiece during the first powerplay – which was something they were noticeably lacking during the T20 World Cup earlier this year.

Team News

© Imago

Had the West Indies won the last match, Akeal Hosein would likely have received the Player of the Match award after tearing through the English top-order to end with an excellent 4/22 in his four overs.

Those figures were the left-armer’s second four-fer against England and he has now claimed 57 wickets in 63 T20 internationals, 21 of which have come against this opponent at an economy rate of 7.03.

Following his two-match suspension, Alzarri Joseph struggled to find his rhythm in the last match, ending on 1/37 in his four overs, which could see him drop to the bench here, potentially for Matthew Forde.

Rehan Ahmed got his first start in this T20 series in the last match, and while he did strike the winning runs in England’s chase, he failed to pick up any wickets with the ball, going for 29 runs in his three overs.

However, England’s spinners in general were fairly underwhelming, as Livingstone received only a single over which went for 14, while Dan Mousley‘s one over in the innings went for 10.

Adil Rashid was rested for the last match and could come back into the starting 11 here, while paceman Reece Topley has been ruled out for the remainder of the series due to a knee injury.

West Indies squad: Rovman Powell, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Terrance Hinds, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Shamar Springer

England squad: Jos Buttler, Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Jacob Bethell, Jordan Cox, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Livingstone, Saqib Mahmood, Dan Mousley, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, John Turner

Series so far

T20 1 of 5: England won by 8 wickets
West Indies – 182/9 (20)
England – 183/2 (16.5)

T20 2 of 5: England won by 7 wickets
West Indies – 158/8 (20)
England – 161/3 (14.5)

T20 3 of 5: England won by 3 wickets
West Indies – 145/8 (20)
England – 149/7 (19.2)

© PA Photos

We say: West Indies to win

While the West Indies have lost three in a row in the shortest format of the series, their ability to recover from a terrible start in the last match would have given them some much-needed confidence, and with the pressure now off, we feel they may be able to notch up a victory in this one.

ID:558188:1false2false3false: from db desktop :LenBod:collect9800:

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole‘s daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!
Source link

Sports Mole previews the 2024 One Day International match between West Indies and England, scheduled to be played at the Kensington Oval on Wednesday.

England and the West Indies will head to the Kensington Oval in Barbados for the third and final match of their One Day International series on Wednesday night.

The series currently hangs in the balance, with the hosts winning the first match by eight wickets before the visitors clinched the second match with 15 balls to spare.

Match preview

© Imago

After an Evin Lewis masterclass propelled his team to a commanding victory in the first ODI, the West Indies were quickly brought back down to earth, as they failed to defend a very competitive 328-6 in Antigua over the weekend.

Still, there were plenty of positives to take from the match for the hosts, but the biggest would have been the performance of Shai Hope, who scored a very impressive 117 off 127 balls – his 17th ton in the 50-over format.

The Windies skipper arrived at the crease in the fourth over with the job of rebuilding his side’s innings, and he stepped up in a big way, combining with Keacy Carty (71) to put on a 143-run partnership.

Sherfane Rutherford and Shimron Hetmyer also provided important contributions with the bat, forcing their opponents to utilise nine bowlers, but only Jofra Archer managed to deliver an economy rate of under 5.00.

While England are showing up as marginal favourites to claim the series – when these two teams faced off in an ODI at this venue just under a year ago, it was the West Indies that successfully chased down a target of 191 in just 31.4 overs in a rain-affected match.

© Imago

For England, their performance in the deeply one-sided first ODI showed that the road to the 2027 World Cup will be long and challenging for a new generation of cricketers, whose inexperience in 50-over cricket was glaringly evident in Antigua.

However, the visitors bounced back in the best way possible over the weekend, when Liam Livingstone put on a stellar show with an unbeaten century, steering England to a successful chase of 329 and pushing their ODI series against the West Indies to this decisive final match.

The stand-in captain smashed nine sixes and five fours, guiding the team to victory by five wickets with 15 balls remaining, following Phil Salt‘s run-a-ball 59 and Jacob Bethell‘s maiden international half-century.

With the ball, John Turner sent both Windies’ openers back to the pavilion after 19 balls and could have had them reeling even further had Bethell hung on to a half-chance to dismiss Carty while he was still in single digits.

Still, despite the victory and the momentum gained from that result, England fans will know that this final ODI is far from a given, especially if the side is unable to improve on what have been fairly toothless bowling performances overall on the pitches here in the Caribbean.

Team News

© Imago

Following almost a year out of the ODI setup, Shimron Hetmyer has largely impressed upon his return to the fold and should retain his place in the Windies’ middle order for this final match of the series.

With spin expected to play a major role in Barbados, Gudakesh Motie will be crucial to the hosts, and the left-armer has a solid record at this venue, having taken two or more wickets in three of his last four games here.

On the point of spin, Adil Rashid has failed to find his best form in this series but will likely remain as the visitors’ main spin option, with Livingstone providing him support with his off-breakers.

Jofra Archer has taken 17 wickets in nine matches this year, and while he came away wicketless in the second ODI, he is still expected to share the new ball with Turner on Wednesday.

West Indies squad: Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Keacy Carty, Shai Hope (c & wk), Sherfane Rutherford, Jewel Andrew, Roston Chase, Gudakesh Motie, Matthew Forde, Alzarri Joseph, Jayden Seales, Alick Athanaze, Romario Shepherd, Hayden Walsh

England squad: Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Jacob Bethell, Jafer Chohan, Jordan Cox, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Livingstone, Saqib Mahmood, Dan Mousley, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Reece Topley, John Turner, Michael Pepper

Series so far

ODI 1 of 3: West Indies win by 8 wickets (DLS method)
England -209 (45.1)
West Indies – 157/2 (25.5) – Target 157

ODI 2 of 3: England won by 5 wickets
West Indies – 328/6 (50)
England – 329/5 (47.3)

© PA Photos

We say: West Indies to win

While England will enter this match with the momentum from their series-leveller, the inconsistency in their performances is a concern and their bowling has been an overall disappointment.

Indeed, the Windies have not been incredible themselves, but they seem to be less key-man dependent than their opponents, and that could prove to be the determining factor here in Barbados.

ID:557345:1false2false3false: from db desktop :LenBod:collect8797:

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole‘s daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!
Source link

England tamely succumb to a nine-wicket defeat to Pakistan in the third and pivotal Test in Rawalpindi, going down by a 2-1 loss in the series.

Pakistan have won the three-match Test series with England after storming to a nine-wicket victory inside three days in Rawalpindi.

Having suffered one of the most embarrassing Test defeats in history in the first of two matches in Multan, Pakistan have since opted for pitches with more turn.

That has given Noman Ali and Sajid Khan the platform to produce sustained, sometimes unplayable spells of spin bowling, the pair once again delivering during Saturday’s play.

All 10 wickets of the second innings were taken by the duo as England succumbed to 112 all out, Pakistan requiring just 3.1 overs to chase down the 36 that were required to complete the comeback series win.

Within seven sessions of winning the toss, England had crumbled to 267 and 112 all out, Pakistan’s burst from the middle order onwards on Friday to make 344 proving pivotal in the context of the match.

Pakistan edge towards victory as Sajid clean bowls Jamie Smith â˜Â︠pic.twitter.com/T1XZ3OsLpO

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) October 26, 2024

Another England collapse

Resuming on 24-3, it was imperative that Joe Root and Harry Brook put together a lengthy fourth-wicket stand to give England any hope, and they deserve some credit for reaching 66.

Nevertheless, the writing was on the way as Brook (26), Ben Stokes (3) and Jamie Smith (3) all departed in quick succession, Root (33) not far behind them to leave England on 85-7.

Gus Atkinson and Jack Leach both made 10, but there was no answer to Noman (6-42) and Sajid (4-69) as Pakistan set up a routine run chase.

Leach managed to dismiss Saim Ayub for eight, yet that allowed captain Shan Masood to come to the crease and smash 23 from just six deliveries to get Pakistan over the line in style.

For his 134 in Pakistan’s first innings, Saud Shakeel deservedly won man of the match, with Noman and Sajid taking all but one of England’s 20 wickets.

ID:556496:1false2false3false: from db desktop :LenBod:collect3608:

Source link