England batsmen finally got an opportunity to flex their muscles on a good pitch at the 2019 World Cup and they made it count after Jonny Bairstow’s brilliant ton laid the foundation of a mammoth 337-7 in Birmingham on Sunday.
Jason Roy returned despite being not 100 per cent fit and he teamed up with Bairstow to star in a 160-run opening stand inside 23 overs. The hosts lost their way in the middle but recovered thanks to a breathtaking 79 from 54 balls from Ben Stokes.
India’s wrist spinners Kuldeep Yadav (1-72) and Yuzvendra Chahal (0-88) were taken to the cleaners while Mohammed Shami’s five wickets cost 69 runs. The only Indian bowler who held his own against a rampant England batting was Jaspritr Bumrah who gave away just 44 runs from his 10 overs and got the wicket of Stokes.
ANALYSIS
Overs: 10
Maiden: 1
Runs: 44
Wickets: 1
Economy: 4.4
30-SECOND REPORT
It was masterclass on how to bowl in good batting conditions from Bumrah. Even the set batsmen couldn’t line him up as Bumrah conceded just three boundaries in total and finished the innings by giving away just three in the 50th. His yorkers, slower balls and bouncers were on the money and he didn’t deviate from his plans even as Shami leaked full toss after full toss from the other end. Gold class stuff.
GOT RIGHT
Bumrah didn’t try anything fancy on a true batting pitch. Just fast and straight with a few slower ones against the tailenders. To concede just three boundaries when the opposition has amassed nearly 350 is other worldly. Shame he didn’t get economical support from the other end.
GOT WRONG
In excellent batting conditions, you really can’t ask for anything more while bowling first. When things aren’t going your way, it takes a huge effort to cut your losses and Bumrah ensured that India weren’t chasing 370, which was a distinct possibility.
RATING: 9/10
You will rarely see such control throughout 10 overs from a bowler while the opposition is decimating the rest of the attack. It showed what class bowler Bumrah is and also that England played him smartly – not taking many risks against him and getting the runs from the other end.