England’s T20 World Cup defence is teetering following a deflating 36-run defeat to Australia in a Group B match on the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, on Saturday.
Regardless of a brisk begin from openers Phil Salt and Jos Buttler, England was stifled within the 202-run chase by Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa. Zampa took two essential wickets and bowled bravely on a difficult floor, the place a boundary beneath 60 meters on one facet and powerful crosswinds examined bowlers all through the day.
Apparently, whereas England opted for off-spin from each ends at first, Australia caught with tempo throughout the PowerPlay, introducing Zampa solely within the eighth over. The choice to make use of part-time off-spinner Will Jacks with the brand new ball is more likely to be scrutinized, particularly after Australian openers Travis Head and David Warner plundered 22 runs from his over, energising their innings.
MATCH REPORT – Australia vs England
Nonetheless, the selection to bowl off-spin towards two left-handers is a standard technique in T20 cricket, more and more influenced by knowledge and matchups. England’s use of Moeen Ali early towards the left-handed openers was anticipated, however deploying Jacks alongside him marked the primary occasion of England opening a T20 innings with spin from each ends. The knowledge of a bowling change is mostly evaluated in hindsight, a luxurious Buttler didn’t have.
Nonetheless, this wasn’t the one division the place England was challenged. The lengths bowled by their pacers, particularly Mark Wooden, within the PowerPlay had been additionally subpar. He bowled a leg-stump line to Warner to cramp the left-hander, however the innocuous lengths meant the Aussie opener was in a position to hit the ball comfortably.
Australia’s David Warner gestures throughout an ICC Males’s T20 World Cup cricket match towards England.
| Picture Credit score:
RICARDO MAZALAN/AP
Australia’s David Warner gestures throughout an ICC Males’s T20 World Cup cricket match towards England.
| Picture Credit score:
RICARDO MAZALAN/AP
England struggled all through towards an Australia crew that began robust and by no means relented. Issues are mounting concerning the crew’s ageing lineup, significantly the center order, which did not preserve tempo with the sport. Jonny Bairstow’s sedate seven off 13 balls raises questions concerning the determination to bat him forward of Harry Brook. In the course of the run chase, Bairstow saved attempting to interrupt the shackles towards Zampa however got here up empty-handed every time. Frustration was writ giant throughout his face. Time is operating out for Bairstow and his crew.