RECAP
Follow UsBrandon Kings' injury derails the Windies
Brandon King provided the hosts the perfect start in the Super 8 clash, racing to 23 off just 12 balls. But just when he seemed to be in the right space, after three fours and a six, he had to walk off the pitch with a groin injury.
That eventually slowed down the Windies' start, with them finishing at 54/0 in six overs after being 40/0 in 4.2. It certainly derailed what looked like a promising start for the hosts.
England’s spin twins help them wrestle back control
With the score reading 72/0, England had to apply brakes and apply it immediately. That’s where the duo of Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali came into the picture. While Rashid ended with figures of 1/21 after his four overs, Ali removed the dangerous Windies opener Johnson Charles.
In the six overs between them, they let go only 36 runs whilst picking up the wickets of Charles and Russell. The duo really applied those brakes.
Nicholas Pooran’s uncharacteristic innings
Coming on the back of his T20 World Cup best, Nicholas Pooran was the danger man for the English bowlers. But they bowled brilliantly to Pooran. Especially the pacers, who stemmed his run flow.
The high pace of Jofra Archer accounted for Pooran, ending a strange knock (36 off 32). Against high pace (140+ kmph), Pooran only scored seven off six and was eventually dismissed.
Phil Salt’s staggering run
185. That’s the strike rate with which Phil Salt punished the hapless West Indian bowlers en route to his 47-ball 87. In fact, his last five scores against them read: 87*, 38, 119, 109* and 25.
His record against West Indies is quite stellar, with 478 runs at an average of 68.3 and SR of 187. His motto today (June 20) was quite simple: make anything in the stump range disappear.
Romario Shepherd's hideous return
Coming back to the XI in place of Obed McCoy, Romario Shepherd endured a tough night, conceding 30 runs in a single over against Salt with three sixes and three fours. He was easily the costliest bowler of the night, finishing with figures of 0/41 in two overs.
What’s worse? Shepherd’s worry isn’t just about the England clash. The all-rounder has an economy of 10.0 overall, the worst for any bowler with at least 100 overs in T20Is. The hosts have a big call to make ahead of their next clash against USA.
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