TWO wins, two centuries for very special batsmen and a 2-0 series lead. For England, the past week has been pretty encouraging. For Pakistan, they are just unfortunate they have come up against a side who are approaching peak form just in time for the World Cup.
Eoin Morgan’s team did what we expected in Southampton and Bristol – hitting two 350-plus totals to take charge of this series.
Each victory was very different, with Jos Buttler’s magnificent unbeaten 110 setting up a nervy 12-run win at the Ageas Bowl and Jonny Bairstow’s brutal 128 from 93 balls helping England chase down 359 in Bristol with almost ridiculous ease.
Batting first, England are capable of scoring any total on flat pitches. But, as was the case in Southampton, their bowling attack is often vulnerable and can offer the tantalising prospect of an unlikely victory to opponents even if they are facing a mammoth chase.
It happened in Grenada back in February, when after another Buttler masterclass, this time he hit 150 from 77 balls, West Indies threatened to chase down 419. England won that particular match by 29 runs and they did so again by a similarly narrow margin at Southampton on Saturday.
Denne historien er fra May 17,2019-utgaven av The Cricket Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra May 17,2019-utgaven av The Cricket Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Kohli leads RCB to much-needed win
VIRAT KOHLI returned to top form with 72 not out to lead RCB to an eight-wicket victory over the Royals in Abu Dhabi.
TEWATIA HAS SPARKED MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE IPL
James Wallace admits he has been surprisingly taken in by the IPL so far – and, in particular, the performance of a new Royal renegade
Whitewash victory is just the T20 tonic for Keightley
A SERIES that few thought would come to fruition ended in triumph for England who completed a 5-0 whitewash of the West Indies in Derby.
TEN OUT OF TEN! RYAN IS BASKING IN MORE GLORY
Chris Stocks catches up with Ryan ten Doeschate, who has plotted Essex’s recent county domination every step of the way
Surrey have the Will to end hoodoo
WILL Jacks may be a hot batting prospect but he’s relished the added responsibility with the ball in Surrey’s charge to T20 Finals Day.
NOW IT'S OUR TIME TO HELP OTHERS
Chris Stocks catches up with England’s director of cricket and discusses the need for the ECB to help boards around the world
IT'S OFTEN DOWN TO A THROW OF THE DICE
Garfield Robinson explains just how big a part luck plays in determining success or failure in sport
FINDING TALENTS LIKE TOM IS A GAIN IN ITSELF
One of the unexpected highlights to emerge from English cricket’s Covid-attenuated season was the chance given to young players to strut their stuff. With many overseas players and Kolpaks affected by travel restrictions many counties looked instead to the young talent on their staffs with gratifying results.
Future looks bright for the Ohio Slinger
ALI Khan is earning his stars and stripes in the Indian Premier League, with the first American to play in the tournament breaking down barriers in every sense.
Spin trio put squeeze on after Glenn shows off skill with the bat
SARAH GLENN helped England spin it to win it after proving she can make an all-round contribution.
