ENG vs AFG

Key Features –

1. Johnny Bairstow and Joe Root put up a partnership of 120 for the 2nd wicket, with both of them scoring 90(99) and 88(82) respectively. And, Eoin Morgan and Joe Root put up a partnership of 189 runs for the 3rd wicket.

2. Eoin Morgan’s catch was dropped in the first over of his batting and that costed Afghanistan the whole game. He went on to score 148(71) with 17 sixes which is the most by a player in an ODI innings. It seems “Catches win matches” just proved to be something worth remembering for Afghanistan.

3. Moeen Ali played a quick cameo in the final overs of the game by scoring a 31(9)*.

4. Gulbadin Naib had a good all round performance playing a Captain’s role with both bat and ball. He bowled a spell of 3/68(10) and scored 37(28) as an opener. Hence, we can call it a Captain’s day with both Morgan and Naib being the best performers of the day.

5. Once again the middle order of Afghanistan showed their strong batting skills even when they were aware they can’t win the game. All three Rahmat, Shahidi and Afghan played their part in taking their score to a good total even against a quality bowling attack of England. They scored 46(74), 76(100) and 44(48) respectively.

5. Rashid Khan becomes the FIRST spinner in the history of ODI cricket to concede more than 100 runs. His spell was 0/110(9). On the contrary, the other Rashid, i.e., Adil Rashid bowled a spell of 3/66(10). The difference between the two Rashids was clearly shown today.

6. Even though England put up a total of 397 in 50 overs, Dawlat Zadran was the pick of the bowlers apart from Naib who also picked up 3 wickets and ended with a spell of 3/85(10).

7. Jofra Archer once again picking up 3 wickets. It seems as if whenever he picks up wickets in a game, it’s never more or less than 3. He’s got 3 wickets each in 4 games out of 5 and the one where he didn’t, he never got any. He finishes with a spell of 3/52(10).

Post-Match Analysis –

1. If the middle order of Afghanistan had played like this in every game, they could’ve won matches and made some upsets worth remembering in this tournament but in every game we just saw one of the batsmen taking charge instead of building a good partnership, which they finally did today but still lost the game by 150 runs.

2. Afghanistan are now officially the first team to be eliminated from the World Cup 2019 with 5 losses in 5 matches.

3. Jason Roy’s boots had to be filled up by James Vince who unfortunately couldn’t score big today but has another match to prove himself before Roy comes back to the field.

4. England’s bowling attack all of a sudden doesn’t look like a threat since the Afghan middle order just took them to task and played the kind of cricket nobody would’ve expected from them against the England’s bowling attack. They just showed why they have an amazing lineup. They just lack consistency and with time they surely might be one of the most destructive teams to play against.

5. Joe Root has now been involved in 5 consecutive 100+ run partnerships in the World Cup 2019, the joint most for a play in the World Cup. He holds this record with Javed Miandad and Tilakartane Dilshan.

6. England now have the record of the maximum number of sixes in an ODI innings in the history of ODI matches. They scored 25 sixes thanks to Eoin Morgan who scored 17 of them.

7. England move to the top of the points table with 8 points in 5 matches and the second highest Net Run Rate amongst all the teams in this World Cup. On the other hand, Afghanistan are still point-less in this World cup after 5 matches and are still at the bottom of the points table.

8. England take on Sri Lanka next. And Afghanistan take on India next.

9. We’re done with half the tournament and we now have 6 teams (ENG, AUS, IND, NZ, SL, BAN) in contention for the 4 spots of playoffs with one team officially eliminated and the other 3 practically out looking at their stance on the points table.

10. Joe Root again climbs up the ladder and now is the second highest run scorer of World Cup 2019 with Rohit, Finch and Warner right behind him and Shakib yet on top. On the other hand, Mohammad Amir and Mitchell Starc both have 13 wickets and are currently the top-wicket takers of this World Cup.

Up Next –

New Zealand vs South Africa

It should ideally be an equal contest but South Africa in this world cup haven’t really been in the greatest of touches and on the other hand, New Zealand have been undefeated in this tournament though they’ve got their wins against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan and finally now have to compete against the top teams in their later matches which might even be a complete turn around for them from consecutive wins to consecutive losses.

New Zealand is playing a game after 11 days and would be looking forward to continue their winning momentum. On the other hand, South Africa would also like to continue their winning streak after a convincing victory against Afghanistan. Hence, a contest worth watching!

The batting of both the teams have some amazing quality batsmen who are all capable of doing wonders with the likes of De Kock, Amla, Markram, Van Der Dussen and Miller from South Africa, and Williamson, Ross, Munro, Guptill and Latham from New Zealand.
The All Rounders of both teams are also equally good and match winners with both bat and ball with the likes of Phehlukwayo and Morris for SA, and Neesham, Santner and Grandhomme for NZ.

Both teams also have that one bowler who is their most dangerous bowler and been the top rated bowlers as well with the likes of Rabada for SA and Boult for NZ.

Both teams are equally capable of winning the match and we should expect a high-scoring game with a close encounter unless one of the bowling sides plans to do some wonders.

Probable XIs –

SA – De Kock, Amla, Markram, Faf, Dussen, Miller, Phehlukwayo, Morris, Rabada, Tahir, Hendricks

NZ – Guptill, Munro, Williamson, Taylor, Latham, Neesham, Grandhomme/Southee, Santner, Henry, Ferguson, Boult

Possible replacements –

NONE for both teams since both teams are coming off from a fine victory. There are slight chances of Southee coming in place of Grandhomme since he’s completely fit now and raring to go, and this change won’t be a surprise since they’re playing against a quality batting attack of the Proteas.