Englands new openers face different pressure
Home side have yet to lose an ODI in Wales capital
Hales part of English change of tack
Wales has always been a happy hunting ground for England at least as far as cricket is concerned. In one-day internationals, England have never lost there; in seven matches they have won four and three, rather ominously, have been no results. After the downpour at Bristol on Monday, which caused the first match of the series against India to be abandoned, another no-result in Cardiff would test the patience of cricketers, punters and preview writers.
England last played India here on 16 September 2011. It was a moonless night, starless and bible-black (except for the floodlights) and damn chilly as well. Initially needing 305 for victory, England won a Duckworth/Lewis run-chase with some comfort Jonny Bairstow making his debut and Ravi Bopara knocked off the runs. Neither will be anywhere near Cardiff on Wednesday. Bairstow has somehow disappeared from view completely as an international cricketer while the merits of Bopara, after his recent omission from the ODI squad are still hotly debated.
Continue reading... Reported by guardian.co.uk 2 hours ago.
Home side have yet to lose an ODI in Wales capital
Hales part of English change of tack
Wales has always been a happy hunting ground for England at least as far as cricket is concerned. In one-day internationals, England have never lost there; in seven matches they have won four and three, rather ominously, have been no results. After the downpour at Bristol on Monday, which caused the first match of the series against India to be abandoned, another no-result in Cardiff would test the patience of cricketers, punters and preview writers.
England last played India here on 16 September 2011. It was a moonless night, starless and bible-black (except for the floodlights) and damn chilly as well. Initially needing 305 for victory, England won a Duckworth/Lewis run-chase with some comfort Jonny Bairstow making his debut and Ravi Bopara knocked off the runs. Neither will be anywhere near Cardiff on Wednesday. Bairstow has somehow disappeared from view completely as an international cricketer while the merits of Bopara, after his recent omission from the ODI squad are still hotly debated.
Continue reading... Reported by guardian.co.uk 2 hours ago.