England clinch low-scoring warm-up
England's build-up to their World Twenty20 defence enjoyed another confidence boost after they trumped Pakistan by 15 runs in Wednesday's warm-up match at the P Sara Oval in Colombo.
England's build-up to their World Twenty20 defence enjoyed another confidence boost after they trumped Pakistan by 15 runs in Wednesday's warm-up match at the P Sara Oval in Colombo.
The reigning champions endured a substandard day with the bat, managing a mere score of 111 all out in 19.3 overs. Spinner Danny Briggs and Jade Dernbach, however, rectified England's ambition by snaring three wickets apiece in Pakistan's unsuccessful pursuit, which ended on 96 for nine.
All-rounder Luke Wright's standalone cameo of 38 from 36 balls, four boundaries included, was as good as it got in England's below-par tally. Spinner Saeed Ajmal proved the destroyer in-chief, clinching figures of four for 14 as the last seven English wickets fell for just 31 runs.
Stuart Broad's men struck back with the ball, though, reducing Pakistan to 67 for five after Briggs took three key scalps. Briggs opened the attack with fast bowler Steven Finn – and England would do well to fit him into the first-choice XI alongside fellow slow bowler Graeme Swann come the tournament proper.
Broad's role as a third-change bowler proved important, with the right-arm seamer removing Pakistan's top-scorer Asad Shafiq and the dangerous Shahid Afridi in quick succession. Dernbach, later, was prompt in his dismantling of the lower order.
The triumph was England's second this week, after they narrowly beat Australia by nine runs at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground on Monday. Their WT20 campaign gets underway against Afghanistan at tje R Premadasa Stadium on Friday.
Latest
-
NewsDom Bess determined to prove England worth after India struggles
Bess says he knows what he has ‘got to do now to have a successful international career’.
-
NewsJake Libby earns draw as Somerset, Hampshire and Gloucestershire open with wins
Worcestershire opener Libby made the second-longest Championship innings ever and was on the field for every ball of the match.
-
NewsJofra Archer to find out whether he could feature in IPL next week
Archer has already been ruled out of the initial stages of the tournament after undergoing surgery to remove glass from his finger last month.
-
NewsStuart Broad would support social media boycott as racist abuse continues online
Some football teams and players have taken a break from social media.
-
NewsSnow hits Glamorgan hopes as Rory Burns and Ben Foakes shine for Surrey
Burns made 74 and England team-mate Foakes an unbeaten 81 for Surrey against Gloucestershire at Bristol.
-
NewsICC Player of the Month nominations for March announced
Winners of the player of the month awards will be announced every second Monday of the month on the ICC’s digital channels.
-
NewsBilly Root overshadows brother Joe as England captain suffers against Glamorgan
The visitors closed the second day with the upper hand at Headingley.
-
NewsSadiq Khan hoping to attract future IPL matches to London
London has staged NFL, MLB and NBA matches in London in the past and the London Mayor hopes IPL matches can also be staged in the capital.
-
NewsDan Lawrence shows early touch as Essex start strongly in Championship
There were big hundreds for Sam Robson, Tom Haines and James Vince.
-
NewsSachin Tendulkar thanks medical staff after returning home from hospital
Tendulkar was admitted to hospital last week after revealing he had tested positive for Covid-19 and had been in quarantine at home.