England vs Afghanistan, ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 warm-up: Preview, predictions

The World Cup 2019 warm-up matches are not panning out the way they expected them to be. Afghanistan won their first match, against Pakistan. England, hosts, top-ranked, and favourites for the tournament, lost theirs, against Australia.

But even then there is little doubt that England will take field as favourites against Afghanistan at The Oval, especially if the conditions are similar to the India-New Zealand clash. England will not risk Mark Wood, but Liam Plunkett, Jofra Archer, Tom Curran, and Ben Stokes will get ample bowling practice in that case.

No England batsman went past 64 either, but all of them spent time in the middle, which is the purpose of warm-up matches anyway. They will probably reshuffle their batting order to ensure everyone gets a chance. England are also likely to rotate their spinners. Adil Rashid, who had not bowled at all against Australia, is likely to bowl his full quota.

Their spinners have got their practice. Afghanistan will now want to test their pacers – Dawlat Zadran, Hamid Hassan, Aftab Alam, and Gulbadin Naib. And while Mohammad Shahzad, who had suffered a cramp against Pakistan, should be back, the focus should be on trying out their middle order.

Head to head

England and Afghanistan have met only once, in the 2015 World Cup at Sydney. Afghanistan put up 111/7 in 36.2 overs. Set to chase 101 in 25 overs, England won by 9 wickets with 41 balls to spare.

England have also won both T20Is between the sides, in the 2012 and 2016 World T20.

Key players

James Vince (England): Will Vince be part of England’s World Cup starting XI if Eoin Morgan does not recover in time? It certainly seems so, for they sent him at three against Australia, and he top-scored with 64. Another decent show will definitely strengthen his cause. All eyes will be on him.

Dawlat Zadran (Afghanistan): Over years Dawlat has established himself as the spearhead of a spin-dependent Afghan attack. The time has come to prove his mettle against the big guns. His whippy, unorthodox action often corners batsmen for pace, and often helps him provided breakthroughs when used in short bursts. He is also a bonafide six-hitter.

Squads

England: Eoin Morgan (c), Jos Buttler (vc & wk), Jonny Bairstow (wk), Moeen Ali, Tom Curran, Jofra Archer, Liam Dawson, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.

Afghanistan: Gulbadin Naib (c), Rashid Khan (vc), Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Aftab Alam, Asghar Afghan, Dawlat Zadran, Hamid Hassan, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Hazratullah Zazai, Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Najibullah Zadran, Noor Ali Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Samiullah Shinwari.