Cricket news round-up – 9 June: England overpower Bangladesh; New Zealand dominate Afghanistan

England beat Bangladesh by 106 runs in Match 12 of the ICC World Cup; New Zealand win by seven wickets against Afghanistan to stay undefeated at the World Cup; Rashid Khan suffers concussion after copping a blow to the helmet; England confident of Buttler’s fitness for next game.

England maul Bangladesh

England got back to winning ways by defeating their 2015 World Cup tormentors Bangladesh by 106 runs in Cardiff. Jason Roy’s magnificent 153 off just 121 balls helped the hosts reach 386/6, their highest World Cup score, which also had significant contributions from Jos Buttler (64 off 44), Jonny Bairstow (51-ball 50), and a 9-ball 27 by Liam Plunkett at the death. None of the Bangladesh bowlers conceded at less than six runs per over.

In reply, Shakib Al Hasan led Bangladesh’s charge with a century of his own (121 off 119) but he found little support at the other end as Bangladesh lost their way in the chase and were eventually bowled out for 280. Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer picked up three wickets apiece for England. Mark Wood picked up two, and Adil Rashid and Plunkett returned with one wicket each.

New Zealand thrash Afghanistan

New Zealand’s pace-bowling duo of James Neesham and Lockie Ferguson shared nine Afghanistan wickets between them as the 2015 finalists beat the newest Test nation by 7 wickets. This is New Zealand’s second consecutive win at the World Cup; they had hammered Sri Lanka by 10 wickets in their opening clash. Neesham’s 5/31 and Ferguson’s 4/37 helped their team dismantle the Afghan batting line-up as a 66-run opening stand between Hazaratullah Zazai and Noor Ali Zadran was laid to waste and Afghanistan were bowled out for 172 runs. Hashmatullah Shahidi top scored with 59 off 99 balls.

Kane Williamson (79*) and Ross Taylor (48) led New Zealand’s riposte after they had lost both their openers inside the first 10 overs. The duo shared an 89-run third-wicket stand to put their side on the path to victory. Tom Latham (13*) helped Williamson finish the job.

Rashid Khan treated for concussion

Afghanistan leg spinner Rashid Khan is receiving treatment for concussion after he was hit on the helmet by New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson. The delivery dismissed Khan for a duck as the ball ricocheted off the helmet and hit the stumps, but Khan was immediately checked on by the team physio and later went through two concussion tests. He failed both those tests and was asked by the team management to sit out of the rest of the match as a precautionary measure. Afghanistan next play South Africa on 15 June.

England assured of Buttler’s fitness

England captain Eoin Morgan said that the team is confident wicket-keeper bat Jos Buttler will be fully fit for England’s next clash, against the West Indies on Friday. Buttler did not take field in the second innings of England’s match against Bangladesh on Saturday, 8 June after sustaining a hip injury. Morgan said that the move to not field Buttler in Bangladesh’s innings was precautionary and hoped that the Lancastrian will be fit for the West Indies game in just under a week’s time.

“There’s no serious concern at that moment,” Morgan said. “He’s going to be monitored over the next 48 hours, but at the moment it’s more precautionary than a situation where he is not able to do his job. I’m quite confident that it’s not a serious injury.”