Cricket news round-up – 26 May: New Zealand, Australia win warm-ups, injury concerns for teams

Cricket news round-up – 26 May: New Zealand, Australia win warm-ups, injury concerns for teams

Steven Smith England Australia World Cup warmup

New Zealand thrashed India in their warm-up match, while Australia won a close encounter in theirs, against England. Somerset won the Royal London One-Day Cup title.

India felled

The Indian top order collapsed after they elected to bat at The Oval. Ravindra Jadeja’s 54 was the only score of note as they were bowled out for 179 in 39.2 overs, first against Trent Boult (4/33), then against Jimmy Neesham (3/26).

Skipper Kane Williamson (67) and Ross Taylor (71) led the chase for the Kiwis. New Zealand finished the job in the 38th over.

Australia win a close thriller

Australia set a huge target of 297/9 as Steven Smith (116) and David Warner (43) both found form in front of a semi-hostile crowd at Rose Bowl. Liam Plunkett took 4/69.

England’s progress was halted by wickets at regular intervals. James Vince (64), skipper Jos Buttler (52), Chris Woakes (40) all got runs but neither went on to score big. At one point they needed 23 in 17 balls with 3 wickets in hand, but Stoinis ran out Woakes and got Plunkett.

England required 15 runs from the last over, but Stoinis scalped Plunkett with the first ball and finally a run out on the third ball finished the chase for England. Australia won the match by 12 runs.

World Cup updates

Mark Wood couldn’t finish the run up during his fourth over against England and left field. An ECB statement later revealed that he will have a “precautionary scan”.

Vijay Shankar did not appear for the New Zealand match. According to reports, he has not sustained a fracture but the injuries will take some time to heal. He will not be available for the Bangladesh match either.

In a new policy, PCB has mentioned that wives and families of Pakistan cricketers will be allowed to join them during World Cup only after the Australia match, on June 12 at Taunton.

Royal London One-Day Cup final

Somerset, who had finished third in their group, won the Royal London One-Day Cup comfortably. Hampshire were without Liam Dawson and James Vince, both of whom are in England’s World Cup squad.

Skipper Sam Northeast’s 56 and James Fuller’s unbeaten 55 helped Hampshire put up 244/8 against Jamie Overton (3/48), Tom Abell (2/19), and Josh Davey (2/28).

Tom Banton (69) and Azhar Ali (45) added 112 in response. James Hildreth (69*) ensured there was no collapse as Somerset chased the total down with 39 balls in hand. Fidel Edwards took 3/69.