World Cup 2019: England plays down 500 talk as its quicks eye Pakistan

England has twice posted world record highest score in a ODI match at Trent Bridge.

Published : Jun 02, 2019 19:57 IST , London

Jofra Archer shone with the ball in England's win against South Africa in the World Cup opener.
Jofra Archer shone with the ball in England's win against South Africa in the World Cup opener.
lightbox-info

Jofra Archer shone with the ball in England's win against South Africa in the World Cup opener.

England may change a winning World Cup side by recalling fast bowler Mark Wood when it faces Pakistan at Trent Bridge on Monday.

The ground is renowned as a batsman’s paradise, with England having twice set the world record for the highest score in a one-day international — 444 for three against Pakistan in 2016 and last year’s 481 for six — on the very pitch that will be used for Monday’s match at Trent Bridge.

READ | Pakistan pummelled by wonderful Windies

But Pakistan’s batsmen had anything but an easy ride in Nottingham as they succumbed to a bouncer barrage from the West Indies that saw them slump to 105 all out and a comprehensive defeat in their opening match of the World Cup on Friday.

England, which launched its quest to win the World Cup for the first time with a 104-run rout of South Africa at the Oval in which fast bowler Jofra Archer starred may now, in the light of Pakistan’s problems against short-pitched bowling, unleash Wood in partnership with the Sussex speedster.

‘Roughed Pakistan up’

“We’re aware of what went on yesterday,” England assistant coach Graham Thorpe said Saturday. “It was interesting viewing.

“The West Indies bowled very well, they looked like they roughed Pakistan up,” the former England batsman added.

FULL WORLD CUP COVERAGE

“I think it (drafting Wood) will be discussed, to be honest.

zaman-afpjpg
Pakistan batsmen were bounced out by West Indies pacer on Friday. PHOTO: AFP

Wood has bowled a mere 13.1 overs since the start of the season amid fears his longstanding left ankle injury could flare up again.

But his ability, in common with Archer, to top speeds of 90 mph meant England thought he was worth the risk at the World Cup.

England has risen to the top of the ODI rankings since its woeful first-round exit at the 2015 edition mainly as a result of piling on the runs.

But it showed it was more than ‘flat-track bullies’ with a score of 311 for eight on an awkward surface at the Oval before an attack led by Archer overwhelmed the Proteas.

READ | All-round Stokes, Archer power England to victory in World Cup opener

Scoring 500 in an ODI was once viewed as impossible but, given its recent record-breaking exploits, England could go close if it bats first at Trent Bridge on Monday.

“It has generally always been a good pitch so we are looking forward to it,” said Thorpe.

“We didn’t quite unlock the door in terms of our batting at the Oval, being able to let go because we kept losing wickets at crucial times so we had to keep trying to put on those mini-partnerships again and that was really good.

england-481jpg
England posted world record ODI score last year at Trent Bridge. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
 

“It’s the same thing coming here against Pakistan: if we get into a good position, we’ll try to score as many as we can. But at the same time if it doesn’t happen, you’ve got to put a competitive score on the board to put the opposition under pressure.”

Pakistan, which has lost its last 11 ODIs -- including a recent 4-0 series defeat by England -- is braced for short-pitched stuff with Wahab Riaz defiantly insisting: “If people want to bowl us bouncers, then we will have no problems with that.”

Monday’s match will also be an important test for what World Cup organisers insist will be improved procedures after thousands of frustrated fans were left queuing for hours on Friday, in some cases missing the entire Pakistan innings, as they waited to collect their match tickets.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment