It’s the first of a four-match series as both sides build towards the T20 World Cup. Join Taha Hashim for updates
Hello folks, it’s been a while! The Hundred’s all wrapped up and it’s time to get onto the next thing: the World Cup train. Sure, this is a four-match T20I series but every hit on the park for England’s men over the next few weeks will partly be about fine-tuning ahead of the 50-over show in India, beginning in October.
If you don’t want to get into the grander narrative and are just looking forward to what’s on offer today, well, that’ll do too. This is England’s first T20I on home soil since they won the World Cup last year; in fact, this is their first white-ball game anywhere since March. Yes, it really has been a while.
In the interim, some have caught the eye on the domestic circuit, in particular Gus Atkinson. The Surrey and Oval Invincibles quick is in an England squad for the very first time and he’s got wheels, an action not dissimilar to Jofra Archer and the love of the England selectors – he’s already landed a spot for the World Cup.
I’m all in on the Harry Brook story. He’s been left out of England’s ODI plans and at present isn’t in the 15 for the World Cup. But he’s also Harry Brook, capable of playing every shot going, with touches of genius in his straight biff down the ground. Any substantial scores in this series and the noise will grow over why he’s on the outer.
Anyway, I’m around for the rest of today. Drop me a line whenever you fancy and let’s talk World Cup XIs, Harry Brook, Gus Atkinson, whatever you like.
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