Australia’s snubs ‘disappointing’

What looked to be an interesting run chase at the half way stage of the chase turned out to be a one sided event as England won by 31 runs against India.

England moved a step closer to the World Cup semi-finals after Jonny Bairstow's 111 set up a crucial 31-run win over India in Birmingham on Sunday.

Eoin Morgan's side posted 337-7 thanks Bairstow and a dashing 79 from Ben Stokes.

Needing a record World Cup run chase to win, India finished on 306-5 as they were beaten for the first time in this year's tournament.

England can book a semi-final berth if they beat New Zealand in their final group match on Wednesday, while India, who have two games left, must wait to confirm their last four spot.

After the early departure of KL Rahul, Indian captain Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma shared a 138 run stand which was broken as Kohli was caught by Vince. Sharma continued as he reached his century. However, the celebrations were cut short as Rohit departed soon after. 

Rishab Pant never looked settled in the middle as Hardik Pandya hit the English bowlers all over the park. As Pant was sent back, there was pressure on Pandya since the next to bat MS Dhoni was out of his usual touch in the mega event. 

Pandya was sent back at 45 as he was caught at long on. 

India never seemed to put any effort behind the chase after Pandya's wicket. Kuldeep Yadav and Dhoni looked to rescue the team run rate as they took the safety first approach by not giving away their wicket. 

India's loss meant the fate of Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka hang on a thread to qualify for the final four. 

Rohit Sharma scored a scintillating century before being caught by Buttler from behind the stumps as India looked to chase down the mammoth total. 

Sharma reached his century in 109 balls as the ball came off a neat little chop behind point. There was really not enough room for the full blooded shot. So he checked himself. Which he did all innings considering this is a two-paced pitch. 

Sharma started off his innings nervously being dropped early in his innings by Joe Root but found his flow in the later half. However, India find themselves in a spot of bother after his departure. Hardik Pandya took the field.

Virat Kohli departed for 66 as India were 146 for two.

The 138 run stand between Rohit Sharma and Kohli came to an end as Liam Plunkett scalped the prized wicket of Indian captain Virat Kohli. Steered a length ball to backward point. Another fifty but no cigar for Kohli, who has given England an opening just when things were beginning to get itchy. Eager to get bat on ball, skidded through a touch, and Vince swallowed a fat outside edge.

Rohit looked to get in his groove as he looked to power his innings. He scored 78 off 85 balls and is in search for his hundred. It is up to Rohit to carry India to the finish line if the men in orange look to chase down the total today.

 

Indian skipper Virat Kohli reached the half century mark in 59 balls at the end of the 20th over.

Runs have been hard to come for the Indian batsmen as the English bowlers have been tight with their line and length. The fielders have done their part as well except of missing a few half chances provided by Rohit Sharma. Virat on the other hand looked solid as he timed the balls to milk runs from the middle.

 

India scored a mere 28 for one at the end of the first power-play against England.

KL Rahul went early in the innings as Chris Woakes caught Rahul off his own bowling. There was an edge to the slip by Rohit Sharma but Joe Root could not hold on to it. 

The English pacers have done well till now to contain the Indian batsmen from scoring runs freely. However, Virat Kohli and Sharma look to build a much needed partnership in the middle in chase of a mammoth 338 runs.

England end their innings at 337 for seven at Birmingham against India.

Jonny Bairstow hit a hundred and Ben Stokes added a blistering 79 as England posted an imposing 337-7 against India in a crunch World Cup match for the tournament hosts on Sunday.

England had to win at Edgbaston to keep qualification for the semi-finals in their own hands following successive defeats by Sri Lanka and reigning champions Australia.

Their favoured aggressive batting game came to the fore as they capitalised on captain Eoin Morgan's decision to bat first on a good pitch.

Opener Bairstow made 111, while Jason Roy more than justified his recall after missing three matches with a torn hamstring by making 66 in a first-wicket stand of 160.

Mohammed Shami, roared on by a hugely partisan crowd clad mainly in blue India shirts, took a career-best 5-69, his first five-wicket haul in a one-day international.

But despite the paceman becoming just the second player to take three successive four-wicket hauls in World Cup cricket after Pakistan's Shahid Afridi, India faced a tough task if they were to achieve a win that would guarantee their place in the last four.

"It was good to be back out there after some time on the bench. We have put a competitive total on the board," Roy said.

"We got a good start. We thought 320ish after the two openers were out so we are happy with that."

India have had 12 targets of 300 or more since the last World Cup, but have only enjoyed a successful chase in three of those matches.

Pre-tournament favourites England, looking to win the World Cup for the first time, had badly missed Roy.

Roy, however, was quickly into his stride, with the Surrey star chopping his second ball from Shami for four.

- Lucky breaks -

Bairstow, involved in a pre-match spat with former England captain Michael Vaughan after suggesting pundits wanted England to lose, had two lucky breaks when big inside edges missed the stumps.

India captain Virat Kohli brought on leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal in the sixth over but Bairstow soon hit him down the ground.

Roy could have been out on 21 when India all-rounder Hardik Pandya appealed for a caught behind down the legside off his fourth delivery.

But Pakistani umpire Aleem Dar signalled a wide instead and Kohli opted against a review, although replays suggested the ball had touched Roy's glove.

Roy then hit Pandya's next ball for six.

Bairstow went to fifty when he launched Chahal for a six that just cleared the back-pedalling KL Rahul at long-on, the fielder landing awkwardly as he made a desperate attempt at a catch.

Roy then followed Bairstow to the landmark in just 41 balls before, on 66, Ravindra Jadeja, the substitute for Rahul, ran in from long-on to hold a low diving catch.

Bairstow twice more clubbed Chahal over long-on for six.

A single off Pandya saw Bairstow to a 90 ball-hundred, including eight fours and six sixes. But his innings ended when he carved Shami to Rishabh Pant at deep cover.

Stokes maintained the momentum in a 54-ball innings before he was caught off Jasprit Bumrah in the last over. (AFP)

The patience of the Indian bowlers brought fruit as Bairstow and England skipper Eoin Morgan were sent back in quick succession.

Jonny Bairstow was caught at deep point as Mohammad Shami scalped the prized wicket. Bairstow looked to play pre-meditated shots as soon as he reached his hundred. He could not rotate strike as easily as he did earlier in his innings and in the process lost his wicket.

Morgan never looked comfortable in the middle as Shami scalped his wicket in the over after Bairstow's wicket. Morgan scored one off nine balls before getting giving a top edge to Kuldeep Yadav, who came diving forward from fine leg. 

Ben Stokes took the field and looked to build a partnership with Joe Root as the runs looked hard to come.

Jonny Bairstow reached his maiden century in this World Cup in just 90 deliveries as England power through. 

Bairstow scored runs all over the field as Indian bowlers can not find the answer to his rampage yet. As a result of his century, England were in the driving seat as Indian skipper Virat Kohli was still looking for a way to scalp Bairstow's wicket.

Jason Roy was sent back to the pavilion by Kuldeep Yadav as India got their first breakthrough. 

The England openers Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow rampaged through the Indian bowlers as they reached 150 within 21 overs. 

However, Jadeja pulled off a blinder at long-on as Roy was in disbelief, but he had to go. This was a bit of a top-spinner, Roy got to the pitch to cart it down the ground but did not get the elevation. It still looked like a one bounce four until Jadeja came sprinting to his left, dived full length and plucked the ball inches from the ground. He is a wonder in the field, and it needed that moment of outlandish brilliance to break this opening stand.

Joe Root came to the field after the loss of the first wicket.

England won the toss and elected to bat first in their World Cup fixture against India at Edgbaston in Birmingham today.

England made two changes for this crucial game. Fit-again Jason Roy replaces James Vince while Liam Plunkett comes in for Moeen Ali. 

India have one change too, with Rishabh Pant getting a game in place of Vijay Shankar.

England: 1 Jason Roy, 2 Jonny Bairstow, 3 Joe Root, 4 Eoin Morgan (capt), 5 Ben Stokes, 6 Jos Buttler (wk), 7 Chris Woakes, 8 Liam Plunkett, 9 Adil Rashid, 10 Jofra Archer, 11 Mark Wood

India: 1 Rohit Sharma, 2 KL Rahul, 3 Virat Kohli (capt), 4 Rishabh Pant, 5 MS Dhoni (wk), 6 Kedar Jadhav, 7 Hardik Pandya, 8 Kuldeep Yadav, 9 Mohammed Shami, 10 Yuzvendra Chahal, 11 Jasprit Bumrah

The two teams come into this match at opposite extremes. India, the only unbeaten team of the World Cup so far, have 11 points from six matches and a win today will confim their semifinal spot and will go a long way to ensuring top-two finish in group stages.

A win for India would also bolster the hopes of the other contenders for the semis -- Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. 

England, meanwhile, come into the match on eight points from seven matches and a defeat would mean they would rely on the other results for their chances of sealing a last-four berth. 

Australia coach Graham Arnold has lashed out at the "dangerous and unacceptable" pitch in Bangladesh for their football World Cup qualifier, saying he was stressed all match about potential injuries.

The unbeaten Socceroos posted their fifth consecutive clean sheet in winning 2-0 at Bashundhara Kings Arena in Dhaka on Thursday evening.

But the conditions were poor with the ground patchy and waterlogged.

"The pitch? Terrible. It's unacceptable," Arnold said after the Group I clash.

"Because we talk about player welfare. And you're putting players on a field that players can get injured.

"And it's no shock to me that five or six players from Bangladesh went down with cramping, having cramps in calf muscles and hamstrings because that field is not good. I'm being honest... the field was dangerous.

"Some of the tackles, potential injuries was stressing me out last night."

Australia, who had already booked their spot in the third round of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, scored in each half.

Ajdin Hrustic opened their account in the 29th minute with a deflected long-range effort before Portsmouth striker Kusini Yengi headed home in the second half.

Yengi was also scathing about the pitch.

"The grass is too long, there's too much water, it's too muddy, it's patchy, the ball holds up, it's a really soft surface," he said.

"So when we're running for the ball, when both teams are contesting for the ball, it's easy to slip and accidentally tackle someone, which you saw plenty of times out there.

"So the surface is dangerous, not (just) for us, but for everyone and it's difficult to play on."

Australia are in action again on Tuesday in Perth against Palestine, who booked their place in the third round for the first time ever with a goalless draw against Lebanon in Doha.

The eight-wicket defeat against Australia in Pune yesterday put an end to a forgettable World Cup for Bangladesh. It's now time to decipher through the wreckage of the Tigers' campaign to find where it all went wrong and figure out a path for the future. In an interview with the Daily Star's Mazhar Uddin on Friday, the team's technical director for the World Cup, Sridharan Sriram, opined that Bangladesh need to focus on winning matches abroad if they want to do well in ICC events. Following are the excerpts of the interview:

The Daily Star (DS): What went wrong for Bangladesh in this disastrous World Cup campaign?

Sridharan Sriram (SS): You make it out to be a disastrous World Cup. Yes, we should have won the game against the Netherlands, no excuses for that. But apart from that, we lost against really good teams and we never got bowled out for 50 or 70. Yes, we were unable to post big totals and our batters were unable to convert their starts into big hundreds. Unless they learn that they won't be able to challenge big teams.

DS: A team like Afghanistan with limited resources have done really well in this World Cup, so why couldn't Bangladesh?

SS: The number of Afghanistan players playing in leagues outside is phenomenal. They have got about eight or nine players playing in the IPL which really helped them get the exposure. Look at Bangladesh, we hardly get exposure in leagues overseas. Even in our Bangladesh Premier League, I really want to see our local players step up and win matches. That is something the franchises should start working on, so the local players can start winning matches when the pressure is on.

DS: What should the Bangladesh team do next if they want to vie for the trophy in future mega events?

SS: One thing I can say is that Bangladesh need to punch above their weight and not look for trophies and start beating bigger teams on a regular basis: doing well away from home and making it to the semifinals or at least pushing for a semifinal spot. We just can't reach the 10th floor straight away as you have to go one step at a time. We have got to have realistic expectations and goals but keep pushing the boundaries towards that goal. I think the realistic goal for Bangladesh is to do well away from home and the bigger teams should start to see Bangladesh as a threat, not an easy opponent. That should be the process for the board, media and fans. Having smaller targets would be better rather than saying win a major ICC trophy as it's not going to happen overnight.

DS: Did expectations from the fans and the media affect the players?

SS: It's the expectations they put on themselves. I think nobody can influence you from the outside unless you put yourself under pressure. Even the whole world can be against you but you can remain focused on your job. I think pressure is never external and what the media and public say should not matter at this level.

DS: You signed for the duration of the World Cup. Will you be continuing with the Bangladesh team after the tournament?

SS: I don't know as nobody has spoken with me yet. I know Papon (Nazmul Hassan) bhai and Jalal (Jalal Yunus) bhai know that I am very committed to Bangladesh cricket. I have got my IPL commitment, which is very important for me. Definitely, I would like to work with Bangladesh in the coming days. The relation and rapport I have with the team I think I will savour.

Bangladesh cricket team arrived in Antigua and Barbuda from St.Vincent and Grenadines earlier today to play their T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 stage matches against Australia and India at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on June 21 and June 22 respectively. 

The Tigers sealed qualification to the Super 8s following their 21-run win against Nepal at the Arnos Vale Stadium on Monday and will make a return to the venue to face Afghanistan in their final Super 8 encounter on June 25.  

The Najmul Hossain Shanto-led side were seeded into Group 1 of the Super 8s alongside India, Australia, and Afghanistan.

Photo: BCB

Photo: BCB

Photo: BCB

Photo: BCB

Bangladesh were left to rue their slow-paced batting in the middle overs as  Australia defeated the Tigers by 28 runs (DLS method) in the teams' Super Eight fixture of the T20 World Cup in Antigua on Friday.

David Warner starred with an undefeated 53 off 35 balls, while Pat Cummins bagged a hattrick, as the former champions outclassed Bangladesh in all departments of the game.  

Australia were cruising along in chase of 141, at 100 for two in 11.2 overs and 28 runs ahead of the DLS par score before bad weather intervened for the last time.

Earlier, asked to bat, Bangladesh could not capitalise on the cautious yet promising start, courtesy of Najmul Hossain Shanto (41 off 36) and Liton Das (16 off 25). From 58 for one in eight overs, their innings lost steam in the middle overs, which produced 45 runs in 45 balls before Shakib Al Hasan (eight) got out at the beginning of 17th over, with the score at 103 for five.

Towhid Hridoy quickfired a 28-ball 40 but his efforts were not enough as the Tigers posted a sub-par 140 for eight on a sporting surface at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. 

On the bowling front, Rishad Hossain was the only positive for Bangladesh as the tall leggie picked up two wickets against the run of play.

Rishad Hossain and teammates celebrate a Australia wicket in Antigua on June 21, 2024 (Bangladesh time). Photo: BCB

Up next, Bangladesh play India in a potential must-win game on Saturday, in order to keep their hopes alive for a maiden semifinals entry. 

Rishad's twin blow gives Tigers sliver of hope, but Aussies unfazed

Bangladesh leg-spinner Rishad Hossain struck twice in his first overs, removing Australia's Travis Head and skipper Mitchell Marsh, but the Tigers still have a long way to go in swinging the momentum of the Super Eight match of the ICC T20 World Cup in their favour.   

Chasing 141 in Antigua, the Aussies are 100 for two in 11.2 overs, with Warner batting on 53 after completing his 28th fifty in the format, before bad weather intervened again. At this stage, Australia are way ahead in terms of par score, 72. 

Desperate for a breakthrough after Head and Warner smacked Bangladesh bowlers all over the park, the rain interruption worked in the Tigers' favour and it was Rishad who came up with the goods.

Continuing impressive run of form, Rishad first deceived Head with a flighted ball which castled his stumps before trapping Marsh in front in the following over.

The Aussies, however, remained unfazed from the double setback as Warner and new batter Glen Maxwell operated in their characteristic fashion.  

Bangladesh's vice-captain Taskin Ahmed (L) and Australia's David Warner look during the ICC men's Twenty20 World Cup 2024 Super Eight cricket match between Australia and Bangladesh at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua and Barbuda, on June 20, 2024. Photo: AFP

Headache for Tigers as Warner, Head taking game away

Bangladesh are getting increasingly desperate to get their first breakthrough as Australia openers, chasing 141, are busy bullying the Tigers in the teams' Super Eight fixture of the T20 World Cup in Antigua on Friday.

The 2021 champions are 64 for naught after 6.2 overs, with Head and Warner batting on 31 and 32, respectively, after rain halted proceedings.   

Head smacks one to the boundary. Photo: AFP

Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto has opted to bowl off-spinner Mahedi Hasan from the onset, with fast bowlers Tanzim Sakib, Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman all getting to roll their arms in the first six overs.    

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Impactful Sakib needs to carry on

Shanto, Hridoy score bulk of runs as Tigers post 140; Cummins star with a hattrick

Riding on two good knocks from Najmul Hossain Shanto and Towhid Hridoy, Bangladesh have totaled 140 for eight against Australia in the teams' Super Eight fixture of the T20 World Cup in Antigua on Friday.

Shanto and Hridoy in action against Australia in a T20 World Cup Super Eight fixture Antigua on June 21, 2024 (Bangladesh time). Photo: BCB

Asked to bat, captain Shanto, coming in at number three following the first-over dismissal of Tanzid Tamim, hit six fours and a six to score the bulk of runs, 41 off 36 balls. His partnership with Liton Das for the second wicket yielded 58 runs -- Bangladesh's score after eight overs.

However, the Tigers struggled once Liton (16) departed in the ninth over, leading to the fall of promoted Rishad Hossain (two) in quick succession and Shanto in the next five overs, which saw only 26 runs.

Towhid Hridoy and Shakib Al Hasan then promised to get a partnership going, bringing up the total to three figures in 15.3 overs, but Shakib (eight) was undone by Stoinis' slower delivery, resulting in a caught-and-bowled dismissal. 

Hridoy, however, began counter-attacking immediately, striking Stoinis for consecutive sixes, setting the tone for Bangladesh to tally 150-plus score on a seemingly good batting track at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

His partner, Mahmudullah Riyad (two), was the next to go as the veteran mistimed a pull shot off Pat Cummins to play the ball onto the stumps. Cummins bagged his second victim in the next ball, sending returnee Mahedi Hasan back in the dugout for a duck.

Cummins would go on to achieve a hattrick -- the seventh bowler to achieve the feat in the tournament's history -- as he returned in his next over, the innings' final, to remove Hridoy (40 off 28) who failed to scoop beyond the fielder at short fine-leg.

Australia will be happier of the two sides, given how the first eight overs panned out. Adam Zampa made the key breakthroughs, removing Liton and Shanto, while only Josh Hazlewood remained wicketless.  

Bangladesh off to confident start despite early blow

Bangladesh batters Liton Das and Najmul Hossain Shanto have well negotiated the Powerplay with cautious aggression after losing Tanzid Tamim in the first over against Australia in the teams' Super Eight fixture of the T20 World Cup at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Friday.

Shanto and Liton run between the wicket. Photo: AFP

The Tigers are 57 for one after eight overs, with Liton and Shanto batting on 16 and 31, respectively. 

[Update: Liton fell in the first ball of the ninth over, bowled by leggie Adam Zampa in trying to execute a sweep shot, before pinch hitter Rishad Hossain, promoted up the order, fell prey to off-spinner Glen Maxwell. Bangladesh 67 for three after 10 overs.]  

Bangladesh, sent in to bat, lost opener Tamim in the third ball as the left-hander, who got out against Nepal in the very first delivery, failed to connect a full-pitched delivery from Mitchell Starc in the first over, ending up getting castled. Starc bowled three overs on the trot in the six overs of Powerplay.

Starc celebrates Tamim dismissal. Photo: AFP

Despite the setback, captain Shanto eased the pressure with some well-timed strokes. Meanwhile, Liton Das, took ten deliveries to get off the mark, managed to middle a few to up the ante.

Mahedi in as Tigers asked to bat by Australia in Antigua

Bangladesh have been asked to bat by Australia in their first Super Eight fixture of the ongoing T20 World Cup at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Friday.

The Tigers have made one change from their last match, bolstering the bowling, with spin-bowling all-rounder Mahedi Hasan replacing Jaker Ali Anik to make his first appearance in the ongoing tournament.    

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Tigers target ‘unconventional paths’ in ‘bonus’ quest

 For Australia, pacers Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins return to the side. Ashton Agar and Nathan Ellis make way for the two superstars. 

Starting XI

Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan, Liton Das(w), Najmul Hossain Shanto(c), Shakib Al Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Mustafizur Rahman

Australia: Travis Head, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh(c), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Matthew Wade(w), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

Highlights

*Australia have six wins to their name against Bangladesh's four in 10 T20Is. All four of the Tigers' victories came in Mirpur.

*Bangladesh have never beaten Australia in the T20 World Cup, losing in five meetings.

*Average first innings total at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium is 118. Pacers and spinners have had similar experiences at the venue as both have conceded runs at less than seven an over. In this T20 World Cup, however, spinners have conceded more, 8.45 runs an over, than pacers (7.74).

*Bangladesh pacer Tanzim Hasan Sakib has taken seven wickets in the Powerplay, joint-most with Afghanistan Fazalhaq Farooqi for most scalps taken in the first six overs in the tournament. Meanwhile, Mustafizur Rahman's 67 dot balls is the joint-most in the group-stage of the tournament alongside New Zealand's Lockie Ferguson.

*At the batting front, Marcus Stoinis (10) and Travis Head (9) both are in the top five for most sixes hit in the edition so far. Towhid Hridoy is in the top 10 with six maximums.

*Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib, who will be on a hattrick whenever he comes to bowl against Australia, needs one wicket to become the first player to take 50 wickets in T20 World Cup history. He is also two wickets away from becoming only the second player after Tim Southee (164) to take 150 scalps in the format.