Cricket Banter

My heart goes out to Andrew Strauss and his two children aged 10 and 13.
What a crying shame.
R.I.P Ruth Strauss

Alex Hales is suspended from Cricket for 21 days after falling foul of the ECB'S recreational drug policy for a second time....

Alex Hales has been left out of England's World Cup squad

T20 International - Cardiff

Pakistan: 173/6 - 20 overs
England: 175/3 - 19.2 overs

England won by 7 wickets

A five match ODI series starts in midweek.

The result against could have been an embarrassment, but remember that was only reduced to 45 overs a side That's not a bad win against Pakistan but feel they will push us far harder in the ODI series

After the first ODI was abandoned due to rain England today won the second ODI against Pakistan by 12 runs.

England: 373/3 - 50 overs
Pakistan: 361/7 - 50 overs.

England lead 1-0 with 3 matches in the series remaining.

Good game yesterday and a good win. Credit to Pakistan for giving that massive run chase a go, they weren't too far away and looked touch and go until the last few overs really

England have selection issues to come .
The batting looks sorted despite not being able to fit in Alex Hales.
The spin department looks strong with Ali & Rashid.
But it's the bowling that there's going to be a scramble for places. Stokes has a place, but there's a choice of 6 or 7 for 3 places. Jofra Archer looks a certainty, so it's 2 places from Mark Wood, Woakes, Jordan, Willie, Plunkett and the Currans.

3rd ODI - Bristol

Pakistan: 358/9 (50 overs)
England: 359/4 (44.5 overs)

England won by 6 wickets and lead series 2-0.

I see that the International Cricket Council has suspended the England captain for 1 match due to the slow over rate in yesterdays ODI against Pakistan.

They have also fined the England players 20% of their match fees.

It's not much of a problem as Morgan was due a rest in these warm up matches. Next match is Friday at Trent Bridge