Cricket news round-up – 15 May: England brush aside Pakistan as World Cup preparations reach another gear

England were almost disdainful in an impressive victory over Pakistan in the third ODI on Tuesday as they went up 2-0 in the series. Elsewhere, Shadab Khan has regained fitness for Pakistan, and will fly to London soon, and Mike Gatting talks up England as favourites for World Cup.

Brilliant England go up 2-0

England went 2-0 up after comfortably seeing off a seemingly impossible chase of 359 with 44.5 overs, after Pakistan were buoyed by Imam-ul-Haq’s century at the top.

Imam scored a 131-ball 151 and with Asif Ali scoring a half-century later, Pakistan managed to post 358/9 in 50 overs.

However, that was no match for England’s batsmen. With Jonny Bairstow hammering a 93-ball 128 and an opening stand of 159/1, the home side lorded the chase. By the end, they were 359/4, with Moeen Ali smashing a 36-ball 46.

Shadab Khan regains fitness for World Cup

Shadab Khan, whose presence at the 2019 World Cup was in doubt after he was struck down with hepatitis, has regained fitness and is expected to be named in Pakistan’s final World Cup squad. 

“We have good news about Shadab,” Sarfaraz Khan told Sky Sports. “He will be fit for the World Cup and we are excited to have him back.”

Shadab is expected to see a specialist in London for another check-up before taking the field for the World Cup warm-ups.

“I am delighted to know that the blood tests are negative and I can now return to competitive cricket,” Shadab Khan told PCB. “I was always very confident that I would fully recover from the viral infection and will be available for the World Cup.”

Peter Fulton to coach New Zealand after World Cup

Peter Fulton will be the New Zealand batting coach after World Cup 2019, New Zealand Cricket confirmed on Wednesday. 

Fulton, who has played 84 internationals games for New Zealand across formats, will take over from Craig McMillan, a former team-mate. His contract will lapse at the end of the World T20 next year.  

“Like many Kiwis, I’ve watched and admired the way the team’s gone about their business in recent years and so it’s pretty special to be invited back into the set-up,” Fulton said.

England the World Cup favourites for Mike Gatting

England are firm World Cup favourites for Mike Gatting, but he also talked up New Zealand as a team to watch out for at the premier event.

“England have the strongest side they have ever had, and the inclusion of the exciting Jofra Archer is only going to strengthen that. England will not have a better opportunity to win it,” Gatting told The Cricketer.

“I look at the squads and I do fancy New Zealand to do well though,” he added. “You can no longer call them dark horses as their players are so experienced.

“They play some great cricket, they always play as a team, and they are well led by Kane Williamson. Ross Taylor is also a fine batsman, and in Tim Southee and Trent Boult they have match-winning bowlers.”