Published: Sep 06, 2016, 02:50 PM (IST)
Edited: Sep 06, 2016, 07:46 PM (IST)
After slaying Pakistan in the five-One Day International Series (ODI), England will hope to round off a memorable home season before embarking on a gruelling tour to the subcontinent. Hosts take on visitors in a one-off Twenty20 International (T20I) game at Old Trafford, Manchester. Pakistan after winning the final match of the ODI series will be on a certain high but would not want to underestimate ICC World Twenty20 (WT20I) runners-up England. England’s determination to bounce back with vengeance is known well known to the cricketing arena. Skipper Eoin Morgan would be disappointed to have missed out on a series whitewash but none the less will be happy with teams’ overall show. There are a number of changes in the English side with as many as five players returning in the shortest format of the game. Vishal Mehra analyses about Eoin Morgan’s side along with a few conundrums their team management might face against ICC World Twenty20 (T20I) 2009 champions. Full Cricket Scorecard, Pakistan vs England, One-off T20I at Old Trafford
Batting a plenty: One of the major reason for England’s resurgence in the limited-overs cricket has been their fearless approach to batting. Moving away from Test cricket style of play, Jason Roy, Alex Hales, Sam Billings and Jos Buttler have brought in the much-needed aggression into their batting. Hales has never been consistent but showed his potential in the 3rd ODI with a career best 171 runs. Thus, T20 game fits his style of batting perfectly. Hales’ partner in crime Roy will want to finish Pakistan series with a bang with another rollicking innings as seen in few ODIs.
Coming in next is the knight of England cricket across format, Root. Root has been in scintillating form in Tests and ODIs. Root is making a comeback in T20 team after missing a one-off match against Sri Lanka. Skipper Morgan has hit a good patch in the ODI series and will want to make the best of home conditions. Given the kind of belligerently form England’s batsmen have been in the past coupled with a substandard bowling outfit of Pakistan one can be assured of a few records being knocked off left, right and centre.
All-rounders galore: Another reason why England have done so well are their pack of all-rounders who have provided flexibility. Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, David Willey and Liam Plunkett have proven their worth with runs and wickets. Stokes who was carted in the WT20I final by Carlos Braithwaite makes a return after a long layout in the T20 format. Scars of the 4 sixes may still haunt him but Stokes himself has admitted that things of the past are to be learned from.
Moeen has been an unrated player with his efforts hardly getting noticed as compared to his famed compatriots. Moeen will again turn up as an underrated cricketer but will like to make most of the opportunity in hand. Plunkett has shown why he can be utilized as a pinch hitter with some vital cameos in the series against Sri Lanka. Willey who played just two matches in the ODI series displayed his skills with the ball who can use the long handle to good effect apart from his handy bowling. With a number of utility players like Buttler and Billings, England have a super agile and swift fielding side which only adds to the teams’ strength. ALSO READ: Moeen Ali: Misbah-ul-Haq is respected by all the English players
Paper-thin bowling unit: With no James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Steven Finn and Chris Woakes, the attack looks a bit thin on paper. Introduction of Mark Wood, who is just one T20 old, will seek to make death bowling more lethal. Chris Jordan who is also a handy T20I player got some chances in the middle of the ODIs and will look to continue his impeccable performance. Plunkett was good with the ball in the ODIs and will look to use the new ball to good effect. Newcomer Tymal Mills who made his debut against Sri Lanka has the pace and bounce to demolish any batting line-up and can be a force to reckon with.
In Plunkett, Mills and Wood England have a bowling line-up who can hit 90 kmph consistently. Adil Rashid was economical in the ODI series and is likely to get the nod after Liam Dawson was dropped from the side. Rashid alongside Ali forms a formidable spinning duo who can trigger a collapse of any batting side if taken lightly. England with the likes of Stokes, Willey, Ali have all-rounders who can turn the tide in their team’s favour with the ball.
Morgan and coach Trevor Bayliss have problems of plenty when it comes to team selection with a number of players awaiting a chance to shine on international stage. England management might have to strangle a few budding careers for the time being and put their best foot forward. With Pakistan being known as a volatile side in the shortest format, England must not take them lightly and weigh out all the options they have on offer to pull out another series in their favour.
(Vishal Mehra is a reporter at CricketCountry, who enjoys his weekly dose of anime, and plays cricket once a white moon. His twitter handle is @capturethecatch )
