T20I - Central News Hub

Charlie Dean Shines in England’s T20I Victory

Nat Sciver-Brunt and Alice Capsey contributed to the chase with a combined total of 41, as England reached home in 11.2 overs, though they lost six wickets on the way…reports Asian Lite News

After taking the Player of the Match award in England’s four-wicket win over India in second T20I, off-spinner Charlie Dean said there were no real demons in the pitch at Wankhede Stadium, though she was told by her team-mates that the ball was skidding on.

Charlie missed the T20I series opener due to a stomach bug but on her return to the team for Saturday’s match, she opened the bowling with the new ball. Charlie bowled a quality spell of 2-16 and took out India openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana to set the base for the visitors’ bowling out the hosts’ for just 80, with all England bowlers amongst the wickets. “There were quite a lot of wickets today in the game. I wouldn’t have any complaints on the pitch myself. Of course I wouldn’t, I’m a bowler, I didn’t get a chance to have a bat out there but that’s good. A lot of our guys were saying it’s skidding on a bit but no real demons in the pitch.”

“I guess just pressures and weaknesses in certain areas. We executed our plans really well and so did India, to be fair they set really aggressive fields. They had to because of the way that game was dictated,” said Charlie after the match ended. In reply, fast-bowler Renuka Singh Thakur again struck early by taking out England openers Danni Wyatt and Sophia Dunkley.

Nat Sciver-Brunt and Alice Capsey contributed to the chase with a combined total of 41, as England reached home in 11.2 overs, though they lost six wickets on the way. “I guess (it is) just (due to) pressures and weaknesses in certain areas. All around, the bowlers had a really good day. We executed our plans well, so did India, they set really aggressive fields and they had to because of the way the game was dictated.” ”It played really well into their hands, taking away boundaries and putting extra catchers in place paid off on that kind of a wicket,” concluded Charlie.

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‘Gill’s return to form will bring relief to India’

Brandon King also tends to struggle a bit against him, so I believe in the beginning, may be for about three or even four overs…reports Asian Lite News

India meet the West Indies in the fifth and final T20I at the Broward County Stadium in Florida, US, on Sunday, with the series level at 2-2. Shubhman Gill’s return to form is the good news that India has been waiting.

JioCinema expert Aakash Chopra, said: “It’s a significant relief because the issue was that the team wasn’t gaining momentum at the start. In T20 cricket, almost eight out of 10 times, you need to have the momentum on your side. Up until now, you were playing on pitches where matches were won at around 150 runs, but even then, there was some time to settle in. Now, with the Florida pitch that should present 180+ conditions, a good start is important, and Shubman Gill’s return to form is a good sign for the team.”

With both teams looking to go all out in the series-decider, and the pitch helping batsmen, how will spinner Axar Patel be utilised? Do they intend to have his quota of four overs completed within the first 10 overs, or will they spread it out again?

Abhishek Nayar said: “I think that Hardik Pandya might use Axar in a similar way. But it’s possible they have different strategies in mind. Nonetheless, I believe they’re attempting to use Kuldeep Yadav and (Yuzvendra) Chahal during the middle overs and perhaps trying to utilize Axar Patel before (Nicholas) Pooran comes to bat in the powerplay. Given the used pitch, they might try to make use of Axar if there’s turn, especially against Kyle Mayers. Brandon King also tends to struggle a bit against him, so I believe in the beginning, may be for about three or even four overs.”

Given the momentum shift, can India go on to complete the series win? Chopra said: “Absolutely. You see, when you lost two matches, you lost close contests. One loss by a margin of four runs, and the other by two wickets. And when India wins, it’s quite apparent how they do it. Once they won by nine wickets, and even in the previous match, around 12-13 deliveries were left, with 5-6 wickets in hand when they secured the victory.”

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