Game One West Indies 180/4 v 181/2 England England Win
A cautious and steady start saw joint hosts West Indies accumulating runs with seemingly little real threat from England's attack. While King retired with a side strain in the 4th innings, it was the 12th over before a wicket fell. Still the innings progressed.
The effect of a twenty run fifteenth over was dulled by the wicket of Pooran who's 36 was far less commanding than his 98 on the same ground a few days ago. The next two overs saw two further wickets fall and only six runs added to their total. It destroyed the impetus, although 19 did come from the 18th over, West Indies were 38 runs below their total of two days previously.
England's response looked like they were finally clicking into gear, that the demolitions of Namibia and Oman had reminded them how to do this T20 thing. Phil Salt opened the batting, and was there at the end with a fine 87 not out. Buttler and Ali pitched in nearly 40 runs between them, and Bairstow added 48 from just 26 balls.
The chase was steady, with most overs being within a few runs of what West Indies achieved at the same stage. Then in the sixteenth over Salt hit Romario Shepherd for three sixes and three fours. The remaining ten runs were knocked over in the next two overs and now England face South Africa on Friday knowing a win will all but put them in the semi finals.
Game Two India 181/8 v 134 all out Afghanistan India Win
In an innings which can best be describe as competent India built a strong base but, again, failed to push it on to a total which would require heroics under pressure from the opponents.
Sharma was out for eight, Kholi and Pant in the twenties. Yadav gave a glimpse of what was possible with 53 from 28. Over all the score felt light of what could have been achieved.
The Indian bowling team took charge.
Afghanistan lost wickets in the 2nd, 4th, and 5th overs, strangling the run chase friom the outset. Further strikes in the 11th and 12th over stifled any consideration of a revival, and 4 wickets in 3 overs from the 16th on left only final rites to enact. They came on the final ball of the final over.
A high score of 26 from Omarzai was a poor batting highlight for a team who have played well in this tournament, but when Bumrah goes for only 7 in his 4 overs then there is little room for manouevre.
| Game | 4's | 6's | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Indies v England | 29 | 17 | 46 |
| India v Afghanistan | 23 | 14 | 37 |
| Tournament | 584 | 321 | 905 |
Tomorrow Australia should be too strong for Bangladesh, and England will hope for a similarly strong game against South Africa.
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text by stuartcturnbull. graphic by Mir Rammez Raja & edited by stuartcturnbull via postermywall