Cricket news round-up – 13 June: Australia beat Pakistan; Buttler, Moeen to return to action

Australia beat Pakistan in the 2019 World Cup match at Taunton by 41 runs, Jos Buttler has reported fit in the England camp, and Moeen Ali is all set to return.

Australia win battle of nerves

Australia seemed set to pile up 350 after Aaron Finch (82 in 84 balls) and David Warner (107 in 111) added 146 for the opening stand in 133 balls. Thanks to some sloppy catching, they reached 223/2 in the 34th over, ready for the final onslaught.

But at this stage Mohammad Amir (5/30) produced arguably the finest spell of the tournament so far. Australia were bowled out for 307, the last 4 wickets falling for 8 in 17 balls.

The Pakistan chase was set up by Imam-ul-Haq (53 in 75), who held one end up as Babar Azam (30 in 28) and Mohammad Hafeez (46 in 49) went after the bowling. Then a collapse followed, leaving Pakistan reeling at 160/6.

This time Sarfraz Ahmed (40 in 48) dropped anchor as Hasan Ali (32 in 15) and Wahab Riaz (45 in 39) took Pakistan to 264. Then they lost 3 for 2 in 9 balls to concede the match.

England boosted by Buttler, Moeen returns

Jos Buttler, who had sustained a thigh injury against Bangladesh and had not taken field to keep wickets, returned to the nets at Southampton.

“He’ll be back and able to practice fully,” told England coach Trevor Bayliss to ESPNCricinfo. “It was a bit precautionary the other day. He could have kept. We just weren’t really sure if he would have been able to sprint after a high catch.”

Moeen had missed the Bangladesh match to be present at the birth of his second child, Haadiya. He will return as well for Thursday’s match against West Indies.

County Championship Division 1 roundup

Yorkshire were 58/1 at Guildford at stumps after taking the last two Surrey wickets quickly in a day when 28 overs were possible. Steven Patterson took 5/81 and Ben Coad 3/71 in Surrey’s 313.

No play was possible on Day Three at Canterbury. However, the match is set up so tantalisingly (Kent 139 and 24/2, Somerset 169) that a result is still possible.

County Championship Division 2 roundup

Play finally got underway at Grace Road after two days of rain. However, only 11 overs were bowled, and Middlesex reduced Leicestershire to 36/3 by stumps.

Worcestershire reduced Lancashire to 32/3 at New Road before Liam Livingstone (53*) helped them reach 110/3 by stumps. Lancashire now lead by 12.

No play was possible at Chester-le-Street. While the match is headed for a draw, Northamptonshire have whisked out a 1-run lead over Durham.