Cricket news round-up – 7 June: Australia fight to beat West Indies, Shahzad ruled out

Australia beat West Indies in perhaps the most intensely fought match in the 2019 World Cup, at Trent Bridge; not too far away, the West Indian Women were trounced by their English counterparts at Grace Road. In other news, Mohammad Shahzad has been ruled out of the World Cup, and ICC requested BCCI to ask MS Dhoni to remove his army insignia from his glove.

Coulter-Nile helps Australia win topsy-turvy match

West Indies seemed to have got it right when they put Australia in and their fast bowlers soon bounced out the top order. It seemed a no-contest at 38/4.

But Steven Smith (73 in 103) dug deep, adding 41 with Marcus Stoinis, then another 68 with Alex Carey (45 in 55). Then came the decisive stand, of 102 in 82 balls, with Nathan Coulter-Nile (92 in 60).

Coulter-Nile hit out savagely once Smith fell, and Australia eventually reached 288. The bowling figures of the fast bowlers fell apart as Australia went for the kill in the slog overs. Oshane Thomas (10-0-63-2) and Sheldon Cottrell (9-0-56-2), who had bowled magnificently first up, finished with ordinary figures.

Chris Gayle (21 in 17) had two decisions overturned before falling prey to a third, that too immediately after a massive no-ball had not been called. Shai Hope (68 in 105) replicated Smith’s role, allowing Nicholas Pooran (40 in 36) and Jason Holder (51 in 57) to flex their muscles.

Russell (15 in 11) went for an unnecessary hoick, and from 190/4 in the 35th over, West Indies finished with 273/9. Mitchell Starc finished with 5/46 and Coulter-Nile with 2/41.

Shahzad out, Khil in

Mohammad Shahzad’s dodgy knee has ruled him out of the World Cup. Shahzad had not delivered in his two matches, but as Afghanistan’s leading run scorer (and most dangerous big hitter), his presence will be missed – not to speak of his other role behind the stumps.

Shahzad will be replaced by Ikram Ali Khil, a teenager with just a Test and 2 ODIs under his belt.

England Women trounce West Indies

A third-wicket stand of 146 between Amy Jones (91 in 99) and Heather Knight (94 in 94), followed by some lower-order hitting, helped England Women post 318/9 at Leicester. Hayley Matthews took 4/57.

West Indies Women were blown away for 110 in response, Sophie Ecclestone (3/30) and Laura Marsh (3/30) doing most of the damage. Chedean Nation (42*) was the only one to put up any resistance.

Dhoni to do away with Balidaan insignia?

MS Dhoni had donned an Indian Army insignia in the match against South Africa. The particular insignia, Balidaan (sacrifice), is not supposed to be used by anyone barring paramilitary commandos.

However, ICC has requested BCCI to request Dhoni to do away with the insignia on the grounds that it sends out a political message – something cricketers’ apparel are not supposed to feature as per ICC norms.