2019 World Cup: England set India a 338-run target
Hosts England set India a 338-run target in the match number 38 of the ICC World Cup 2019 on Sunday at Edgbaston. It was a whirlwind show from the English openers, before India somehow crawled back. The Virat Kohli-led side will need to bat well in order to get past the target. Here's more.
England get off to a dream start
England got off to a terrific start and the two aggressive openers added 160 runs for the first wicket in just 22 overs. Both Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow started off cautiously before going berserk. They didn't allow the two wrist-spinners to settle in and played them with ease. Even, Hardik Pandya was welcomed with a flurry of boundaries.
Roy, Bairstow light up Edgbaston
Roy, who returned from injury, struck a 57-ball 66. He smashed seven fours and two sixes. This was his second half-century in the ongoing World Cup. Meanwhile, Bairstow slammed his maiden World Cup century. He scored 111 from 109 balls. His innings was studded with 10 fours and six sixes. This was the England opener's eighth career ODI hundred.
India fight back after Roy's dismissal
India somehow started to tighten the screws post Roy's dismissal in the 23rd over. Bairstow and Joe Root added 45 runs and were looking to rotate the strike. A few tight deliveries saw Bairstow trying to break loose and throwing away his wicket. Moments later, England skipper Eoin Morgan parted ways after a failed pull shot. India got a grip over England.
India sweat over Rahul's injury
Indian opener KL Rahul landed on his back while attempting to take a catch on the boundary. He limped off the field. An external injury means that, Rahul can come and bat at any position. Rishabh Pant is expected to open the innings for India.
Shami's third spell was inspiring
Shami was the inspiration for India. The in-form right-arm fast bowler picked up two key wickets in his third spell. That helped India claw back and curtail the run-flow. He set up Morgan with some fuller deliveries, before getting him with a well timed short ball. In the previous match, Mitchell Starc had dismissed Morgan on a similar note.
Magnificent from Shami!
Stokes scores fifty as England get past 300
Ben Stokes, who has been in prime form with the bat, joined hands with Root in the middle. Stokes was superb with his stroke-play and attacked Yuzvendra Chahal, who ended with figures of 0/88 in 10 overs. Root continued to be watchful. They stitched a 70-run stand. Shami came in and got Root, before Stokes scored his third successive fifty.
