Nepal took the field against England in Mumbai with an attitude of nothing to lose situation. England decided to bat first and while they started aggressively as we know, Nepal chipped away at the wickets to keep England run rate under manageable levels. Sher Malla first picked up a wicket and then Jos Buttler threw his wicket away and latest Tom Banton just after powerplay.
England made 57/2 in 6 overs and then Banton threw his wicket away as well to Sandeep Lamichhane. So, England are well-placed as they have a deep batting line-up but Nepal has some moments in the sun which they will cherish going forward. Buttler hit Karan KC for a boundary in the first over but Nepal struck in the first ball of the second over.
Debutant Sher Malla removes Philip Salt for a low score
England were 5/0 in one over when Sher Malla the debutant was given the ball to bowl the second over and he struck in the first over. Salt was dismissed for 1 off 2 balls as the bowler began his career with a wicket. Malla hurled the ball from over the wicket a fuller side of good length delivery. The ball drifted inwards and finished at the leg stump line. Salt unleashed an overzealous shot and looked to pummel it leg side but the ball went up in the air off a top edge towards short fine leg where Lamichhane took the catch as the bowler fell while celebrating.
Jacob Bethell came in and hammered the short ball past point for a boundary and then sent the ball over midwicket for the maximum. Bethell again pulled the ball past short fine leg for a boundary. Karan KC was dispatched by Jos Buttler as the short arm pull went away to the midwicket fence. Dipendra Singh Airee came to the bowling crease as Buttler was looking good by slamming consecutive boundaries through covers and mid-off.
Nandan Yadav removes Jos Buttler as the keeper batter gave his wicket awayÂ
Jos Buttler came out all guns blazing and the wicket of Salt did not affect him as he went on his merry ways and it looked like he would be unstoppable. He was off to an absolute flier and we all thought he had the responsibility to take the side through. But there was a twist waiting in the tale for all to see. Nandan Yadav came to the attack as Buttler slapped him away past backward point for a boundary and looked in cruise control.
England were 43/1 in 4.2 overs and looked in control when Buttler was dismissed as he played a loose shot against Nandan Yadav. Nandan picked his first wicket and after being hit for a boundary celebrated as revenge was best served hot and fresh. Nandan bowled short and wide outside off-stump and the ball generated a little bit of extra bounce and took the top edge of the bat as the batter looked to stab it to the off-side. He got the outside edge through to the keeper who made no mistake.
Nandan Yadav with the big wicket while Buttler walked back for 26 off 17 balls with 5 fours to his name. Once again a start, but could not quite carry on as he threw his wicket away. An irresponsible shot from the senior batter out there in the middle. But he had to go and England were in a spot of bother inside powerplay. Tom Banton came to the crease next.
Sher Malla returned to the attack for the final over of powerplay as Bethell took care of him by pummelling the bowler for the maximum over midwicket as the 50 came up for England in 5.3 overs. Bethell then crisply timed it through the point region for a boundary. Malla put down Banton a tough chance of his own bowling. England were 57/2 in 6 overs at the end of powerplay with Bethell on 27* off 13 balls while Banton was with him on 2* off 4 balls.
Sandeep Lamichhane removes Tom Banton cheaply straight after the powerplay
England were 57/2 in 6 overs when Sandeep Lamichhane came into the attack and removed Tom Banton for 2 off 5 balls. Sandeep ran in from over the wicket and hurled it on a length that did not get the ball to spin big and evaded the bat. Banton looked for the premeditated reverse sweep and got pinged in the pads. Huge appeal and the finger went up as well. Banton challenged the decision and on replays it showed three reds as the ball went and hit the leg stump.
Captain Harry Brook came out to bat next and started in his own fashion with a reverse sweep for a boundary. England were in a spot of bother but Bethell and Brook joined in and was taking the game away from Nepal. The bowlers were now being taken to the cleaners. England now have aced the middle phase and have taken their score to 120/3 in 13 overs as Bethell has completed his fifty and Brook was looking good. The duo have counter attacked and now Nepal is feeling the pinch.
What Lies Ahead
Nepal did well to get three wickets and peg England back. But Jacob Bethell and Harry Brook the captain are taking the game away from Nepal now. England are looking good now as both batters look well set at the moment. Nepal will need wickets at the death phase to come back in the game. But England have wrestled back the initiative a lot.
Let’s see how the innings pans from here.
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