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England | 200 - 2 (32.0 overs) |
West Indies | 212 all out (44.4 overs) |
32nd over: England 200-2 (Root 98, Stokes 0); target 213. The hundred partnership is brought up with another fine stroke for two from Root. The Yorkshireman senses his moment is near and swats and misses at a short one from Gabriel, which is then called wide. Another square drive for two and a single take him to 98 before Woakes perishes, top-edging to Allen at deep square leg who takes it low in front of him. Then, more concern for West Indies as Gabriel pulls out at his delivery stride, looking like he’s twinged something, but he’s able to send down the next ball, which is a wide down leg to the new man Stokes to bring up the 200.
On the subject of easy chases, Alastair Connor adds: “Well, NZ did knock off their 137 against Sri Lanka in 16 and a bit, at about 8.5. I wish they had done something similar against Bangladesh and Afghanistan instead of dawdling and making it look close – their net run rate would be ridiculous.” Well I was at that game against Bangladesh at The Oval and, to be fair, Bangladesh fought back into that contest admirably – it was a proper game of cricket, that.