England head coach Trevor Bayliss says wicketkeeper Jos Buttler will be fit for Friday’s Cricket World Cup clash against the West Indies.
The 28-year-old sustained a hip injury while batting in Saturday’s win against Bangladesh and he wasn’t able to take his place behind the stumps in the afternoon session.
Despite conflicting reports earlier in the week about the progress of his recuperation, Bayliss told reporters that Buttler will be wearing the gloves in Southampton.
“It was all a bit precautionary the other day,” Bayliss explained. “He could have kept, but it wasn’t sure whether he would have been able to sprint after a high catch. But he’ll be fine.”
Bayliss was also asked what he expected when England’s Barbados-born fast bowler Jofra Archer faces the Windies. “It will be like anyone who knows players in the other team – he’ll be after the bragging rights,” he replied.
Also hoping to be included in England’s team is Moeen Ali, who was dropped for the win against Bangladesh.
The spinner left the squad earlier in the week to attend the birth of his second child, but after the safe arrival of a daughter called Haadiya Moeen is back with his team-mates.
Aussies win in Taunton
A century from David Warner helped Australia beat Pakistan by 41 runs in Taunton on Wednesday.
The rain mercifully stayed away and the Aussies, batting first, made 307 thanks to Warner’s 107 and a hard-hitting 82 from captain Aaron Finch.
They could have scored a lot more but for Mohammad Amir, whose figures of 5-30 contributed to a late batting collapse.
Nonetheless the Australians’ total was still beyond Pakistan, who were all out for 266 with Imam-ul-Haq (53) the only batsman to make a half-century.
The win moves Australia level with New Zealand at the top of the table on six points, although they’ve played a game more than the Kiwis.
Pakistan languish in eighth and victory is imperative against India on Sunday.
Warner thanks wife
Warner’s ton was his first international century since serving out a year-long ban for his part in the ball-tampering scandal.
In his post-match interview the Aussie opener thanked his wife, Candice, for her support during his exile.
“My wife is my rock, she’s unbelievable,” he said. “She’s determined, disciplined, selfless. I hold a lot of credit to her. She got me out of bed a lot in those first 12 weeks, got me back running, training as hard as I could and preparing for the other formats I was playing in.”
‘Shameful’ ad stokes tensions
Indian cricket fans are outraged at a TV advert broadcast in Pakistan ahead of Sunday’s eagerly-anticipated match against India, reports BBC Sport.
The ad satirises an incident in February, when an Indian air force pilot was captured by Pakistan forces and paraded on TV. Refusing to answer questions from his interrogator, Abhinandan Varthaman became a hero in India and was eventually released as a “gesture of peace”.
Pakistan have spoofed the incident, using an actor resembling the pilot, who refuses to respond to questions about Sunday’s match.
Indian social media has reacted with fury, describing it as “insensitive” and “shameful”.
This week’s Cricket World Cup fixtures
All matches are live on Sky Sports:
- Thursday 13 June: India vs. New Zealand (10.30am)
- Friday 14 June: England vs. West Indies (10.30am)
- Saturday 15 June: Sri Lanka vs. Australia (10.30am); South Africa vs. Afghanistan (1.30pm)
- Sunday 16 June: India vs. Pakistan (10.30am)
- Monday 17 June: West Indies vs. Bangladesh (10.30am)
- Tuesday 18 June: England vs. Afghanistan (10.30am)
- Wednesday 19 June: New Zealand vs. South Africa (10.30am)
- Thursday 20 June: Australia vs. Bangladesh (10.
- 30am)
- Friday 21 June: England vs. Sri Lanka (10.30am)Saturday 22 June: India vs. Afghanistan (10.30am)
- See the full fixture list at cricketworldcup.com
