END OF OVER:20 | 5 Runs 3 Wkts | SL: 141/8 | RR: 7.05
- Maheesh Theekshana0 (0b)
- Mark Wood3-0-26-3
- Sam Curran4-0-27-1
8.35 pm Lowest total by a team batting first at the SCG in this event, 26 runs lower than the previous low made by New Zealand against Sri Lanka. That does not bode well for Sri Lanka (or Australia). Tremendous effort in the last 10 overs by England in the field, capped off by three wickets in the final over by Wood. England will have to do something spectacularly calamitous to botch this and a spot in the semi-final, but it's worth remembering that Malan went off injured with a groin strain. Will that hamper England's chasing effort? Time will tell.
Our stats man Rajesh wants to inform the most optimistic of England fans out there that if they chase this in 6.2 overs, England will top the group instead of New Zealand. But once again, a win of any kind will see them into the semi-finals. A loss on the other hand means Australia will join New Zealand in the semis. Alan Gardner will be back in the central commentary position for the start of the chase. Hang with us to see how the drama unfolds!
C Karunaratne c Hales b Wood 0 (3m 2b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00
PW Hasaranga run out 9 (13m 9b 1x4 0x6) SR: 100.00
PBB Rajapaksa c Curran b Wood 22 (41m 22b 3x4 0x6) SR: 100.00
END OF OVER:19 | 8 Runs | SL: 136/5 | RR: 7.15
- Wanindu Hasaranga9 (7b)
- Bhanuka Rajapaksa18 (20b)
- Sam Curran4-0-27-1
- Mark Wood2-0-22-1
itzvinay: "On the topic of doppelgangers, Cricinfo expert Robin Uthappa looks like Oscar Isaac's twin brother. Impressive jawlines!! @PDP can you relay it on :D" Good shout.
END OF OVER:18 | 5 Runs 1 Wkt | SL: 128/5 | RR: 7.11
- Wanindu Hasaranga1 (1b)
- Bhanuka Rajapaksa18 (20b)
- Mark Wood2-0-22-1
- Sam Curran3-0-19-1
Sri Lanka is running out of steam in the second half of this innings. Huge waste of an excellent platform. On the other side, excellent composure and bowling from England to turn it around.
MD Shanaka c †Buttler b Wood 3 (12m 8b 0x4 0x6) SR: 37.50
Jigar: "Is England using Jordan as Fielding specialist? I know Malan is injured and got replaced but it seems like a tactical decision many time to have jordan placed at crucial place in crucial moments." If Malan was acting, then he deserves a BAFTA at a minimum, maybe a Golden Globe, perhaps not quite an Academy Award.
Tom: "Impressive spell by Rashid, does look like spinners are gonna be dangerous tho that doesn't bode so well for England!"
Lots of people sending comments in asking where is Mark Wood. Well, here's the man now at the death.
END OF OVER:17 | 3 Runs | SL: 123/4 | RR: 7.23
- Dasun Shanaka2 (6b)
- Bhanuka Rajapaksa16 (17b)
- Sam Curran3-0-19-1
- Adil Rashid4-0-16-1
For the NFL and cricket Venn diagram crossover fans, I've just realized that Sam Curran and NY Jets quarterback Zach Wilson are doppelgängers. Well, all Curran needs is a headband on and they'd be dead ringers.