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Key events
11th over: West Indies 94-0 (Puran 25, Charles 38) Charles signaled his intention to drink by sending Rashid for a six over long-on, but the West Indies were content to take just singles (and twos) from the rest.
10th over: West Indies 82-0 (Puran 22, Charles 30) Double spin now with Moeen. Spinners immediately dry up the boundaries. And they have mid-inning DRINKS.
David emails from Canada “At what point did the Aussies send word to Agent Mott that his job was done and he could return to base. England’s inability to take wickets even against unestablished nations, the team selection, the tactics. Surely this is too obvious sabotage!!!”
ha! Double agents aside, I’m not sure what criteria Mott will be judged by. A first-round exit and you suspect he might be toast, he’ll be safe if he makes it to the final – but something in between?
9th over: West Indies 75-0 (Puran 18, Charles 27) The first sight of spin from Adil Rashid, the dapper figure with a bushy beard with a signature twist. On the money immediately, Charles almost does with a beauty that tears the outer edge. Charles nods in confirmation.
8th over: West Indies 72-0 (Puran 17, Charles 25) Under the honks and the drums and the booming pop hits, Pooran picks up and launches Mark Wood up and into the stands like a man hitting a perfectly fried egg on a plate. Singles, wides and points immediately.
7th over: West Indies 63-0 (Puran 10, Charles 24) West Indies milk Topley for a single as Pooran pounces on a short one and rocks it over midwicket for four.
James, if you’re still reading, so much love to you from the OBO community. By Brian Whittington. “I just wanted to express your love and best wishes to James Walsh and his family, and especially his father. Nothing is too much for a cricket blog – as the great CLR James said, “What do they know about cricket who only cricket knows?”
6th over: West Indies 54-0 (Puran 4, Charles 22) Archer goes in for another ton in the final over of the power play, with Charles reading a slower ball correctly and picking up a couple of fours
Hi Megan Purvis! “Re: Joe’s attempts to learn cricket can! As an American in London with the zeal of a new convert, I spent much of my recent visit to the States trying to cement my 5-year-old niece’s affection for the game. (The Bluey episode gave me a big boost.) She calls every hit a square cut because it’s the only one she knows, but she also responds to every lunch, break, or particularly long break with a worried “is it bad light? ?” so we’ll still make her a county fan. [where can we sign her up?]
“(And seriously, an introductory book or two and a subscription to Willow TV, you’d be great.)”
Brandon King retired hurt 23 (West Indies 40-0)
5th over: West Indies 44-0 (Puran 4, Charles 13) Another player change as Butler came on for Sam Curran. King top edges the first ball for four but falls to the ground trying to pan-fry the second one – possibly a groin strain – and he limps off the field looking gutted. Pooran watched his first three balls with a restless eye but blazed the fourth through point for four.
4th over: West Indies 36-0 (King 19, Charles 13) Archer and treated with no reverence, bitten back to back by King, despite an enthusiastic slide and dive from Phil Salt in the deep.
3rd over: West Indies 25-0 (King 9, Charles 12) Topley’s first ball is wide again and Buttler runs out from behind the stumps to whisper kind words. King struggles to make decent contact for a few balls, calls for a new bat, then with a giant lift and smash pings Topley down the leg side, 100 meters for a six. A new ball is also needed, with the first one now sitting somewhere outside the stadium in the parking lot. Charles then tickles an inside edge for four.
“I wish James Walsh and his father all the strength in the world,” wrote Stephen Holliday. “Obviously in these conditions tonight’s result doesn’t matter, but hopefully it can provide some welcome distractions.” Beautifully said.
2nd over: West Indies 13-0 (King 2, Charles 8) The clean-shaven Wood starts with what Nasser calls “the perfect outswinger.” England consider review – would be umpire’s decision for lbw. A wide next ball. Commentators believe England may retain Jofra for Nicholas Pooran. First boundary to Charles with a clever nudge through point.
As a Hoosier growing up in the Midwest, I had no concept of cricket. One of my Sri Lankan colleagues and I discussed the comparisons and differences between cricket and baseball during a minor league baseball game we were watching together. I don’t think there is baseball; I definitely didn’t get cricket. During this T20 coverage, I think I’m starting to understand. Too bad there is no TV coverage here in the states. And TalkSport seems to be dropping it too. So it’s you or nothing. No pressure.”
Joe Pearson, at 1:40am I can barely promise complex English….
1st over: West Indies 5-0 (King 1, Charles 2) Turns out they’re out midway early and everyone’s twiddling their thumbs for a minute or two. Hot with the first over, all tattoos and legs on a telephone pole. He comes on and sends two wides in the first four balls, but it’s hard to hit and West Indies manage just three.
Hi John Tagg from New York, “where today the thermometer hit 97F and felt like 106.” Soooo.
“Let’s hope Buttler is as good at announcing his bowling changes. The WI is unlikely to be more forgiving than the Aussies.’
Totally! Alli reminds me of Mark Wood’s return to the scene in perhaps his fastest spell in international cricket, “It was from the end of the media centre, with a tailwind not dissimilar to the one blowing tonight.”
England train at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in St Lucia today, where five years ago Mark Wood literally walked away with the huge man-of-the-match check (actually a holiday voucher) pic.twitter.com/dFck5ep2SP
— Ali Martin (@Cricket_Ali) June 17, 2024
An inky black night while the hymns are played. A strong wind waves the shirts of England God Save the Queen before arousing version of Rallies around the West Indies.
Our man on earth
Ali Martin
“Greetings from Saint Lucia where it’s a nice evening and a wonderful atmosphere is already building in the ground. There’s a great steel band belting out hits from David Rudder and Nadia Batson outside the stadium, then pulsating party juice – Shazam fodder territory for the names – blares inside. The Windies happily put a big one on the board against Afghanistan here on Monday, ever so slightly surprised by Jos Buttler’s call. England try to have a long tail tonight, the Windies revert to their strongest side from the first round. The crowd is growing and everything looks set for a belt and who knows, maybe the first centurion of the tournament.”
Very exciting email from old OBO friend and county blog James Walsh.
“Worst night here – big as ever for our amazing NHS – but I suspect my dad may not make it after a sudden and very violent illness. And so we keep vigil.
“He’s never been much of a cricket fan, although he’s happy to come to The Oval with his friend Chris to drink beer and toast John Major’s arrest.
No need to post if it’s a bit much for a cricket blog but I just wanted to say thank you for being there providing comfort and distraction in the toughest of times.’
James, I send all the love in the world to you and your dad. May England see you both safe in the night.
Ian Bishop towers over them all at the Darren Sammy Stadium where the wind whistled and Mark Wood cut in over his shoulder. . “They were spinning it well, very hard, not very long grass. You get extra bounce compared to other Caribbean pitches around the venue. But it’s a real bounce, hitters can pull or drive.”
West Indies XI
West Indies: Brandon King, Johnson Charles, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Roston Chase, Rovman Powell (capt), Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hossain, Alzari Joseph, Gudakesh Moti
A couple of changes for the West Indies, with Roston Chase and Romario Shepherd returning.
England XI
England: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (captain and title), Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Moeen Alli, Liam Livingston, Sam Curran, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Adil Rashid, Reece Topley.
Liam Livingstone has recovered from his stomach upset. One change with Mark Wood replacing Chris Jordan.
England win the toss and will play!
Butler makes the right call in what appears to be a stifling St. Lucia night
“It’s the part of the tournament you want to be at,” says Butler, “it’s going to be a great atmosphere, a game to enjoy.” Rovman Powell says he would bowl too but “it looks a very good pitch” .
“I’m looking forward to tonight,” pats a cheerful Stephen Holliday. “I’m in Toronto, so the timing is great. The kids will be in bed. I have a few beers in the fridge and feel pretty relaxed about things. We’re kind of expecting New England to show up, not Morgan England, so anything positive will be a lovely bonus. I think as long as the weather doesn’t interfere, everything will be fine.
“As an aside, I reserve the right to be absolutely furious when a great start by England is undone within two overs.
Ah, cricket…”
We are with you Steven! Good morning all. Here is Nasser Hussain and the toss.
Preamble
Hello night owl prowling BST, hello sun worshiper from st lucian hello everyone in between. Welcome to the second match of the Super Eights – still without a knockout – between the reigning champions, Butler’s Boys, and the hosts and fellow two-time winners, the West Indies.
A quick reminder of what’s in the Super Eights – India, Australia, Afghanistan and Bangladesh (Group One) and West Indies, South Africa, England and USA (Group Two) are the qualifiers.
Teams play the other three teams in their group once, with the top two sides in each group advancing to the semi-finals. South Africa defeated the USA in the first match in Antigua on Wednesday and here we are now in the second.
England’s trip to St Lucia was torn apart, threatened by rain, Australia and then rain again. On the other hand, West Indies are reeling – four wins from four, against PNG, New Zealand, Uganda and Afghanistan, and a sense that this campaign could reignite a fire among the home population. Ali Martin wrote a great article about it and Akeal Hossain here:
The game starts at 1.30 AM Bulgarian Standard Time, and the toss at 1 AM. I’ll see you then!
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