'A whole army': Cummins credits team culture as Australia eye Test Mace at Lord's
As Australia prepares for a shot at winning back-to-back World Test Championship (WTC) titles, skipper Pat Cummins believes it's not just individual brilliance but collective resilience that has defined his side's success over the last two years.
With the final set to take place at the historic Lord's Cricket Ground against South Africa, Cummins is clear-eyed about what's brought his team this far: trust, composure, and a belief in shared responsibility.
'It takes a whole army really,' Cummins told cricket.com.au, acknowledging the efforts of not just the 15-plus players who have featured in this WTC cycle, but also the backroom staff. 'There's a real trust and calmness in the group that comes from having success over the last couple of years.'
"You need players across different conditions, different injuries, and the pleasing thing as well is we've had quite a few debutants in this cycle who have stepped up and really made a name for themselves. There's a real trust and calmness in the group that comes from having success over the last couple of years. The Christchurch victory, with Alex Carey getting 98 not out, we had no right to win that match, but we found a way. And last summer, the MCG was one of the great Test matches – late on day five, out of nowhere, we found a way of winning.
"When the moments get tense yeah there's a real want for players to stand up and a real trust from others that they will."
Australia's unbeaten run in Test series over this cycle includes away victories in Sri Lanka and New Zealand, the retention of the Ashes in England, and home series wins against Pakistan and India. These results have set up a golden chance to make history: no team has yet defended the WTC mace.
While Cummins ranks the 2023 ODI World Cup win in India as his 'number one' achievement, he places the WTC title just behind: 'The mace means a lot. It shows you've been the best over years, across conditions. It's something we can point to now and be proud of for a long time.'
The sense of unity and quiet confidence extends through the squad. Beau Webster, who played a pivotal role in Australia's qualification during the home series against India, spoke of the belief within the dressing room. 'The cattle we've got – it's pretty amazing. We've got a strong record at Lord's, and everyone's going in confident.'
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England vs West Indies Live Score, 3rd T20I from Rose Bowl, Southampton
02:55 IST:All smiles in the England camp as Harry Brook makes his way to collect the trophy and joins his teammates for the photographs. That brings the curtain down on West Indies' tour of England. The Men in Maroon now head to Ireland for the T20I leg of their trip, with the first of three matches scheduled for 12th June. England, meanwhile, will turn their focus to red ball cricket as they prepare for a five-match Test series at home against India starting on 20th June. But before all that, the spotlight shifts to the biggest stage in Test cricket. Australia are set to face South Africa in the World Test Championship Final at the Lord's Cricket Ground, starting Wednesday, 11th June. The first ball will be bowled at 9.30 am GMT, and we will be with you early for all the build-up. Until then, take care and goodbye. 02:52 IST:The captain of England, Harry Brook says he is very pleased with the performance and mentions that having Liam Dawson and Adil Rashid operating in the middle overs brings great control and balance to the side. He praises Luke Wood and Brydon Carse for their efforts with the ball. While he admits it has been a challenge, he adds that it has also been a very rewarding experience. He appreciates the depth in the batting unit, noting that it gives the players at the top the freedom to play with intent. Shares that he will be preparing as well as possible for the Test series against India and acknowledges that there is still plenty for him to learn in his role as captain. 02:51 IST:Shai Hope, the captain of West Indies, says that it is about grasping the crucial moments. Adds that they haven't been able to put up a complete performance and that is why they are falling short in games. Mentions that they need to reduce the dot balls, as they know that they have a few power-hitters but they also have to find other ways to score some runs. Says that there is a lot of areas to improve and he is looking forward to the Ireland series. 02:49 IST:Jos Buttler is the PLAYER OF THE SERIES for scoring 165 runs across the 3 games. He says he really enjoyed the series and there is a lot of confidence in the group. Mentions that they played positive cricket and now have the results to show for it. Shares that for him, it is about constantly finding ways to improve. Having played for a while now, he states it's about using that experience and doing what the situation demands. 02:52 IST:Ben Duckett is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his scintillating knock of 84 runs from 46 balls. Duckett says that it was obviously a great pitch to bat on and the ball didn't do much. Adds that Jamie Smith batted brilliantly and took the pressure off him. Mentions that he has batted a lot with Smith in Tests and he is a terrific player and it is great to bat alongside him. Says that in T20Is, he tries a few expansive shots but also sticks to his basics and backs his strengths. 02:43 IST:Time for the presentation ceremony... 02:38 IST:Earlier, after being asked to bat first, Jamie Smith and Ben Duckett set the tone for England with a 120-run opening stand. Contributions from Harry Brook and Jacob Bethell provided the finishing touches as the hosts posted 248, their second-highest total in T20 Internationals. The tourists did manage to regain some control in the second half of the innings, but the damage had already been done, and they couldn't close it out the way they would have hoped. 02:39 IST:West Indies had a mountain to climb, and their chase got off to a shaky start with both openers dismissed inside the first five overs. Shimron Hetmyer and Shai Hope offered flashes of promise, but neither managed to convert their starts into meaningful contributions. That left Rovman Powell with too much to do on his own, and the big overs didn't come frequently enough for West Indies to stay in the hunt. Luke Wood, Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson combined effectively for England, slipping in quiet overs that steadily pushed up the required run rate. Despite Powell's efforts, the visitors fell well short. 02:33 IST:England complete the clean sweep! First in the ODIs and now in the T20Is, it has been a bright start to Harry Brook's white ball captaincy tenure. This win was set up by the batters and the bowlers followed through to wrap up a commanding victory. As for the West Indies, it is a sixth straight defeat across formats and a disappointing end to a winless tour. 02:31 IST:19.6: Brydon Carse to Rovman Powell, Brydon Carse bowls this full again, on off, Rovman Powell knocks it to long off for one. ENGLAND WIN BY 37 RUNS! 02:31 IST:19.5: Brydon Carse to Rovman Powell, Pitched up and around off, Rovman Powell drills it to long off and comes back for the second run. 02:30 IST:19.5: Brydon Carse to Rovman Powell, BOWLED'EM? Or is it? Brydon Carse almost had the last laugh, but he has overstepped again. This is a good yorker, on middle. Rovman Powell backs away to carve it away, but is late to put his bat down as the ball goes under his bat to rattle the stumps. As soon as he starts to walk back, the umpire calls him back as this is a No Ball. Disappointment for Carse, but another Free Hit is coming up. 02:29 IST:19.4: Brydon Carse to Rovman Powell, FOUR! Much more in control! Brydon Carse bowls this short again and on middle. Rovman Powell is expecting that and steps back early. He swivels and hammers it to the deep square leg fence for another boundary. 02:28 IST:19.3: Brydon Carse to Rovman Powell, FOUR! Balls flying everywhere! Back of a length and on off, cross-seam delivery, Rovman Powell has a wild swing at it. Gets a top edge that goes over the keeper's head for four more runs. 200 up! 02:27 IST:19.2: Brydon Carse to Rovman Powell, FOUR! Streaky! Tries the yorker but just misses it, on middle, angling in. Rovman Powell tries to flick but loses his bottom hand. The ball goes off the leading edge and flies over short third for a boundary. 02:27 IST:19.1: Brydon Carse to Rovman Powell, SIX! Up, up and away! Brydon Carse goes fuller but angling into the pads. Rovman Powell picks it up, brings his wrists into play and whips it over the deep square leg fence for a biggie. 02:27 IST:19.1: Brydon Carse to Rovman Powell, Fuller and around off, Rovman Powell drives it to sweeper covers. Well, the umpire signals that it is a No Ball for overstepping. Free Hit up next... 02:25 IST:18.6: Adil Rashid to Akeal Hosein, don't see this too often in T20Is! A googly, full and on off, turns away, Akeal Hosein decides to leave it alone. Looks at Rashid and smiles. 02:24 IST:18.5: Adil Rashid to Rovman Powell, Quicker, short and on leg, Rovman Powell backs away to work it away but misses as the ball goes off his pads to short third. A leg bye is taken. 02:23 IST:18.5: Adil Rashid to Rovman Powell, Slows it up, full but down the leg side, Rovman Powell lets it go. Wided. 02:23 IST:18.4: Adil Rashid to Rovman Powell, Flighted, full and on off, Rovman Powell pushes it to sweeper covers for a couple of more runs. 02:28 IST:18.3: Adil Rashid to Rovman Powell, SIX! Just over! Another short ball, on middle, Rovman Powell rocks back and heaves it away. The ball flies hard and flat towards deep mid-wicket. Jacob Bethell runs to his righ, leaps and gets his hands on it but the momentum takes the ball over the ropes for a biggie. 02:22 IST:18.2: Adil Rashid to Rovman Powell, FIFTY FOR POWELL! A bright spot in an otherwise disappointing performance from the team. His 9th in T20Is and he is continuing his good form here. Short again and on middle, Rovman Powell backs away and punches it through covers for a brace. 02:21 IST:18.1: Adil Rashid to Rovman Powell, Floated, short and on middle, turns away, Rovman Powell pulls it away to deep mid-wicket but denies the single. 02:20 IST:17.6: Luke Wood to Rovman Powell, Change of pace, touch fuller and on off, Rovman Powell pushes it through covers for one. Luke Wood finishes a nice spell with figures of 4-0-31-3. 02:20 IST:17.5: Luke Wood to Akeal Hosein, Good length and on middle, Akeal Hosein nudges it to square leg for one. 02:19 IST:Akeal Hosein is in next. 02:19 IST:17.4: Luke Wood to Gudakesh Motie, OUT! TAKEN! Luke Wood with the double strike in the over! He bangs this into the pitch again, but pace on this time. Gudakesh Motie stays back and looks to pull but the ball gets big on him. It goes off the top edge towards long on where Will Jacks runs forward a bit to his right and takes a fine sliding catch. England are just 2 wickets away from the whitewash! 02:17 IST:17.3: Luke Wood to Rovman Powell, Back of a length and on off, slower again, Rovman Powell goes through his pull early and cue-ends it towards mid off for a run. 02:17 IST:17.2: Luke Wood to Gudakesh Motie, Slower one, full and on middle, dipping in, Gudakesh Motie drills it to long on for a single. 02:17 IST:Gudakesh Motie walks out to bat. 02:16 IST:17.1: Luke Wood to Jason Holder, OUT! TAKEN! Luke Wood gets his second wicket here! He lands this short of a length and into the body of the batter. Jason Holder tries to pull it away but gets a bit cramped up and only manages a top edge. The ball goes high in the air towards deep square leg where Brydon Carse moves a bit to his left and takes the catch. That's the end of Holder's nice little cameo. 02:14 IST:16.6: Liam Dawson to Rovman Powell, Ouch! Flighted, full and on middle, Rovman Powell goes for the slog but gets it from the toe-end of the bat. The ball skids across the pitch and hits Holder on the other end. 02:13 IST:16.5: Liam Dawson to Jason Holder, Quicker, short and on middle, Jason Holder swats it towards long on for one. 02:13 IST:16.4: Liam Dawson to Jason Holder, SIX! Into the crowd! Drops it short and around off. Jason Holder rocks back to heave it away but gets nowhere near the ball. However, he uses his long handle to connect and dispatches it over the wide long on fence for a biggie. 02:12 IST:16.3: Liam Dawson to Rovman Powell, Floated, full and on middle, Rovman Powell uses his feet to take it on the full and knocks it to long on for a single. 02:11 IST:16.2: Liam Dawson to Rovman Powell, Shorter in length and outside off, Rovman Powell cuts it hard but finds point. 02:11 IST:16.1: Liam Dawson to Rovman Powell, Beaten! Tossed up, full and on off, turns away, Rovman Powell goes down for the slog sweep but fails to connect. 02:10 IST:15.6: Brydon Carse to Rovman Powell, Hard length and on off, Rovman Powell dabs it to point for one. 85 needed in 24. 02:09 IST:15.5: Brydon Carse to Rovman Powell, SIX! Going, going, gone! Brydon Carse digs it into the pitch, on middle, does not bounce that much. Rovman Powell picks up the length early, rocks back and pulls it with disdain over the deep square leg fence for half a dozen more. 02:09 IST:15.4: Brydon Carse to Rovman Powell, Swing and a miss! Short of a length and on off, Rovman Powell has wild swing at it but misses. 02:08 IST:15.3: Brydon Carse to Rovman Powell, Hits the length hard, on middle, angling in, Rovman Powell gets cramped up for room and blocks it out. 02:07 IST:15.2: Brydon Carse to Rovman Powell, FOUR! Sheer power! Rovman Powell is putting on a show! Pitched up and just around off, Powell backs away a bit, gets under it and thumps it between mid off and extra covers for another boundary. 02:06 IST:15.1: Brydon Carse to Rovman Powell, FOUR! Powered away! Back of a length and outside off, Rovman Powell stands tall and smacks it over extra covers for a boundary. 150 up for WI! 02:05 IST:14.6: Jacob Bethell to Jason Holder, Quicker, short and on off, Jason Holder winds up for the scoop, but adjusts and paddles it through square leg for a brace. 02:04 IST:14.5: Jacob Bethell to Jason Holder, SIX! Just over! Flighted, full and on middle, Jason Holder takes it on and slogs it towards the long on fence again. Will Jacks thinks he is in the game, leaps up and gets fingertips on it, but only to parry it over for a six. 02:04 IST:14.4: Jacob Bethell to Rovman Powell, Short and on off, Rovman Powell punches it through covers for a run. 02:03 IST:14.3: Jacob Bethell to Rovman Powell, FOUR! Nicely done! Flatter, short and around off, Rovman Powell shuffles across and scoops it over the keeper's head for a boundary. 02:04 IST:14.2: Jacob Bethell to Jason Holder, Put down! A terrific effort, though! Floated, full and on middle, Jason Holder uses his feet and lofts it flat and aerially towards long on. Will Jacks once again runs forward, puts a dive in and gets both hands on the ball just as the ball dies in, but it just spills out. A single taken. 02:03 IST:Halt! A slight hold-up in play as a man in the crowd took a tumble while going for the catch and needs help to get back up on his feet. We are all good to go now. 02:01 IST:14.1: Jacob Bethell to Jason Holder, SIX! Gets hold of this one! Tossed up, full and on middle, in the slot as well. Jason Holder just takes his front foot out of the way and dispatches it over the long on fence for a biggie. 01:59 IST:13.6: Liam Dawson to Jason Holder, Uppish but safe! Short again and on middle, Jason Holder looks to pull but mistimes it high in the air towards long on. Ben Duckett comes running forward, slides in but the ball still drops well in front of him. They cross. 01:59 IST:13.5: Liam Dawson to Rovman Powell, Goes short and on leg, Rovman Powell heaves it to deep mid-wicket for one. 02:00 IST:13.4: Liam Dawson to Rovman Powell, Darts this one full and on middle, Rovman Powell drills it hard down the pitch. Liam Dawson gets down on his follow-through and takes another blow to his left hand. Painful! 02:00 IST:13.3: Liam Dawson to Jason Holder, DROPPED! A very tough chance! Floated up, full and on off, Holder crunches it straight back towards the bowler. Dawson tries to take it near his left knee but the ball is hit extremely hard and it clips him on the fingertips and goes behind. They cross. 01:57 IST:13.2: Liam Dawson to Jason Holder, Fuller, on off, Jason Holder blocks that one back to the bowler. 01:57 IST:13.1: Liam Dawson to Jason Holder, Quicker, on the pads, Jason Holder looks to flick but misses it on the inside edge and wears it on the front pad. 01:56 IST:13.1: Liam Dawson to Jason Holder, FIVE WIDES! Starts with a full ball, down the leg side. Jason Holder gets in a position to paddle but misses it. Jos Buttler behind the wicket fails to gather it, and it runs away for a boundary. 01:56 IST:12.6: Adil Rashid to Jason Holder, Goes short and on off, Jason Holder punches it through covers for one. Just 2 runs and a wicket off the over! 01:55 IST:Jason Holder walks out to bat. 01:54 IST:12.5: Adil Rashid to Romario Shepherd, OUT! TAKEN! A blinder at short covers! Adil Rashid tosses it up nicely, full and on off, turns away a bit. Romario Shepherd, against his instincts, makes room and tries to push it but is way too early into the shot as the ball loops in above his eyes. He only manages to chip it towards short covers where Harry Brook puts in a full-length dive forward to take a spectacular catch inches above the ground. Windies six down now! 01:53 IST:12.4: Adil Rashid to Romario Shepherd, Just short! Slows it up, shortish and on middle, Romario Shepherd stays back and knocks it down the pitch. It goes uppishly but falls just in front of Rashid. 01:52 IST:12.3: Adil Rashid to Romario Shepherd, Tossed up, leg break, on middle and off. Romario Shepherd lunges forward and drives it to cover. 01:52 IST:12.2: Adil Rashid to Romario Shepherd, Floated, on the leg stump, Romario Shepherd gets on the backfoot and tucks it to short fine leg. 01:52 IST:12.1: Adil Rashid to Rovman Powell, Tossed up, on the leg stump, Rovman Powell plays it with the soft hands towards square leg for a single. 01:51 IST:11.6: Brydon Carse to Romario Shepherd, Short again by Brydon, outside off, Romario Shepherd swings across but does not connect. 01:51 IST:Romario Shepherd comes out to the middle now. 01:50 IST:11.5: Brydon Carse to Shai Hope, OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Brydon Carse has his revenge! Brydon spots Hope backing away and follows him with a short-of-a-good-length delivery. Hope hops and tries to turn it away with a closed bat face. Closes the bat face early and gets a top edge that goes straight up behind the wicket. The keeper, Jos Buttler takes a few steps in front and does the rest. 01:50 IST:11.4: Brydon Carse to Shai Hope, Banged into the wicket, slightly away from the batter, Shai Hope attempts the reverse scoop again but fails to connect. 01:50 IST:11.3: Brydon Carse to Shai Hope, FOUR! Brydon Carse rolls his finger on that one, pitches it on the good length, on the stumps. Shai Hope backs away and clears his front leg to slap it over extra cover for a boundary. 01:50 IST:11.2: Brydon Carse to Shai Hope, FOUR! Innovation pays off yet again for Hope! At pace, on a length, on off, Hope uses the pace again by setting up for the reverse scoop and executes it nicely over short third for a boundary. 01:50 IST:11.2: Brydon Carse to Shai Hope, Four! 01:46 IST:11.1: Brydon Carse to Shai Hope, SIX! Innovative shot from Shai Hope! Brydon Carse starts from over the wicket and lands it a bit short of length, on the stumps. Shai Hope gets in the position and reverse scoops it over third man for six. 01:45 IST:10.6: Liam Dawson to Shai Hope, Fired in, full and on off, Shai pushes it in front of cover for a quick run. 01:44 IST:10.5: Liam Dawson to Shai Hope, FOUR! In the gap! Slower through the air, shorter, around off, Shai waits for it before slamming it over extra cover. Jacob Bethell puts in a valiant dive at long off to his left but in vain. 01:44 IST:10.4: Liam Dawson to Shai Hope, Speared in, flat and short, on off, Hope goes back and plays it back to Dawson. 01:43 IST:10.3: Liam Dawson to Shai Hope, Flatter, on the stumps, Shai Hope goes for the reverse sweep but hits it straight to the sliding backward point fielder. 01:43 IST:10.2: Liam Dawson to Shai Hope, Fuller, on the leg stump, Shai Hope gets on the backfoot and punches it past extra cover. Brydon Carse runs to his right from deep cover, dives and cuts it off to a couple of runs. 01:42 IST:10.1: Liam Dawson to Rovman Powell, Starts with a full ball, on middle and off, Rovman Powell makes room for himself and drives it to long off for a single. 01:42 IST:Drinks! Despite losing 4 wickets, West Indies are scoring almost at 10s. On any other day, this would have been great, but not here, as the Windies now need to score almost 15 runs per over to chase this target down. However, this is also a great opportunity for the middle order to show their qualities with the T20 World Cup next year. England will be hoping that they can quickly wrap things up here and complete the clean sweep. Also, Liam Dawson to bowl after the break. 01:41 IST:9.6: Adil Rashid to Rovman Powell, Full toss, on the middle and leg, Rovman Powell flicks it to deep mid wicket for a single. 01:39 IST:9.5: Adil Rashid to Rovman Powell, Tossed up, on off, Rovman Powell lunges forward and defends it back to the bowler. 01:38 IST:9.4: Adil Rashid to Rovman Powell, FOUR! Nicely done! The length is pulled back by Rashid but offers width on off. Rovman feasts on it as he stays back and cuts it through point for a boundary. 01:38 IST:9.3: Adil Rashid to Rovman Powell, FOUR! Brute force! Looped up, full again, on off, Rovman Powell smashes it back past the bowler. Adil Rashid tries to take it to his left but the ball flies past him even before he can get his hands up. 01:37 IST:9.2: Adil Rashid to Rovman Powell, SIX! Muscled into the stands! A bit too full from Adil. Right in the wheelhouse, on off, Powell winds up and smokes it over long on for a biggie. 01:37 IST:9.1: Adil Rashid to Rovman Powell, Starts on a short length, on middle and leg, Rovman Powell uses his feet and chips it to short mid wicket. Powell takes off for a run and is sent back by Shai Hope in time. 01:36 IST:8.6: Jacob Bethell to Rovman Powell, Fuller, on the pads, Rovman Powell tucks it to long on for a single. 01:36 IST:8.5: Jacob Bethell to Rovman Powell, FOUR! Lovely shot! Fuller and quicker, outside off, Rovman collapses his back knee and drives it square of the wicket to the left of deep cover for a boundary. 01:35 IST:8.4: Jacob Bethell to Rovman Powell, Fired in on the pads, Rovman Powell goes for the full-blooded sweep but misses on the inside edge. 01:34 IST:8.3: Jacob Bethell to Shai Hope, Pushed through, short and on off, Hope lofts it back over the bowler's head for a single. Bethell loses his footing on the follow-through. 01:34 IST:8.2: Jacob Bethell to Rovman Powell, Short and on off, cut in front of backward point for a single by Rovman. 01:33 IST:8.1: Jacob Bethell to Shai Hope, Short and on off, punched past cover for a single by Hope. 01:33 IST:7.6: Adil Rashid to Rovman Powell, Flatter, on the pads, Rovman Powell punches it from the backfoot to mid-wicket. 01:32 IST:7.5: Adil Rashid to Shai Hope, Shortish, leg break, Shai Hope works it to mid-wicket for a single. 01:32 IST:7.4: Adil Rashid to Rovman Powell, Tossed up, wide outside off, Rovman Powell guides that one through cover for a single. 01:32 IST:7.3: Adil Rashid to Rovman Powell, Fuller, on the leg, Rovman Powell defends. 01:35 IST:7.2: Adil Rashid to Rovman Powell, A loud shout for LBW but turned down! This looks close but England decide against the review. Loopy delivery that drops on the batter, on off, Rovman is beaten by turn as he presents a straight bat to block. The ball spins past the bat to catch him on the back thigh. It rolls past the keeper for a couple of leg byes. Ball Tracking shows that the ball was bouncing over the off stump, so, a wise decision not to go for the review. 01:30 IST:Rovman Powell walks out to bat now. 01:30 IST:7.1: Adil Rashid to Sherfane Rutherford, OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Adil Rashid makes an impact straight away! Tossed up from over the wicket, on a nagging length. This turns into the batter and Sherfane Rutherford tries to hit it with the spin. Gets down on a knee for the slog sweep but does not get enough distance to clear the ropes. It is hit towards the longer part of the ground and Luke Wood takes a simple catch at deep backward square leg. 01:29 IST:More spin as Adil Rashid has been introduced into the attack now. 01:28 IST:6.6: Jacob Bethell to Sherfane Rutherford, Tossed up, outside off, Sherfane Rutherford dabs it to backward point for a single. 01:27 IST:6.5: Jacob Bethell to Sherfane Rutherford, Fuller, outside off, Sherfane Rutherford guides it to short third and takes off for a single but is sent back by Shai Hope. 01:27 IST:6.4: Jacob Bethell to Sherfane Rutherford, Quicker and fuller, drifting into the batter, Sherfane Rutherford punches it to extra cover. 01:28 IST:Well, good news for the West Indies as Sherfane Rutherford has come out to bat after his injury scare in the first innings. 01:27 IST:6.3: Jacob Bethell to Shimron Hetmyer, OUT! TAKEN! Jacob Bethell can do no wrong tonight! Shimron Hetmyer's promising stay has been cut short. Pushed across the left-hander from around the wicket by Bethell, on a nagging length, Shimron gets down on a knee for the slog sweep. Ends up dragging it a lot straighter and picks out the man at long on to absolute perfection. Ben Duckett makes no mistake. 01:27 IST:6.3: Jacob Bethell to Shimron Hetmyer, OUT! c Ben Duckett b Jacob Bethell. 01:25 IST:6.2: Jacob Bethell to Shai Hope, Fuller, on off, Shai Hope makes room for himself and works it to covers for a single. 01:23 IST:6.1: Jacob Bethell to Shai Hope, Tossed up, on the off stump, Shai Hope drives that one past covers for a brace. 01:23 IST:Jacob Bethell replaces Liam Dawson. 01:23 IST:5.6: Luke Wood to Shimron Hetmyer, SIX! That has gone many a mile! Attacking the stumps, on a length, Hetmyer puts on the dancing shoes and thumps it way over deep mid-wicket for six more. West Indies end the Powerplay at 66/2! 01:21 IST:5.5: Luke Wood to Shimron Hetmyer, SIX! Excellent shot! Angling into the pads, on a length, Shimron Hetmyer walks inside the line of the ball and picks it up over deep fine leg for a six. 01:21 IST:5.4: Luke Wood to Shai Hope, Leg bye! Shai Hope shows his cards too early as he backs away. Wood spots that and follows him with a slower one, on a nagging length. Hope misses the flick and a leg bye is taken as the ball goes off the pads to short third. 01:20 IST:5.3: Luke Wood to Shimron Hetmyer, On off, on a back of a length, nudged to mid-wicket for one more by Shimron. 01:19 IST:5.2: Luke Wood to Shimron Hetmyer, FOUR! Streaky but they all count! On a shortish length, on off, Shimron Hetmyer swings for the pull but gets a top edge that sails over the leaping the keeper, Jos Buttler for a boundary. 01:19 IST:5.1: Luke Wood to Shai Hope, On a nagging length, on middle, Hope works it to mid-wicket and crosses over. 01:18 IST:4.6: Liam Dawson to Shimron Hetmyer, SIX! A shot of authority! Dawson lands it on a nagging length, on middle. Shimron Hetmyer gets down on a knee and clobbers it flat and to the left of the man at deep mid-wicket for a six. 01:17 IST:4.5: Liam Dawson to Shai Hope, Full and on off, driven past cover for a single by Shai. 01:17 IST:4.4: Liam Dawson to Shimron Hetmyer, Not that far away from going to hand! Pushed across the left-hander, on a nagging length, Hetmyer looks to play it on the rise. Slices it towards extra cover where Harry Brook runs to his left but the ball falls out of his reach. They cross. 01:17 IST:4.3: Liam Dawson to Shimron Hetmyer, Shorter and quicker, on off, Shimron Hetmyer goes on the back foot and tucks it in the vacant mid-wicket region for a couple of runs. 01:16 IST:Shimron Hetmyer comes out to the middle now. 01:17 IST:4.2: Liam Dawson to Evin Lewis, OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Liam Dawson strikes with his second ball! Nicely slowed down by Dawson and the length is kept away from the batter. Evin is lured into the big shot and is beaten in the flight. He is nowhere near the pitch of the ball but still goes through with the swing. Skies it straight up towards deep mid-wicket where Ben Duckett settles under the skier and snaffles it with ease. 01:17 IST:4.1: Liam Dawson to Shai Hope, Leg bye! Speared in at the pads, Hope misses the tickle. The ball brushes his pads and rolls fine of short fine leg for a leg bye. 01:13 IST:3.6: Will Jacks to Shai Hope, Short and on middle, Shai punches it to long on and takes a single. 01:12 IST:3.5: Will Jacks to Shai Hope, Darted away from around the wicket, flat and short, Shai Hope goes for the cut but gets beaten on the outside edge. 01:12 IST:3.4: Will Jacks to Shai Hope, SIX! Clean strike! Pushed across the right-hander, on the fuller side, Hope plants his front foot across and gets down on a knee. Nails the slog sweep over deep square leg for six more. 01:11 IST:3.3: Will Jacks to Evin Lewis, Short and on the pads, flicked through mid-wicket for a single by Lewis. 01:10 IST:3.2: Will Jacks to Shai Hope, From around the wicket now, short and on off, Hope eases it to long on for a single. 01:10 IST:3.1: Will Jacks to Shai Hope, SIX! Will Jacks is greeted with a biggie! Fractionally short, on off, Hope is quick to get deep in his crease, opens his front hip and powers it over mid off for half a dozen. 01:09 IST:2.6: Luke Wood to Shai Hope, On a back of a length, on middle, Shai hops back and nudges it wide of mid-wicket for one. 01:08 IST:2.5: Luke Wood to Shai Hope, Takes pace off and serves it on a length, on off, Hope pushes it back to Wood. 01:07 IST:2.4: Luke Wood to Evin Lewis, Drags the length back, on middle and leg, helped twoards short fine leg for a single by Evin. 01:07 IST:2.3: Luke Wood to Shai Hope, On middle and leg, on a good length, Shai Hope turns it through square leg for a single to get off the mark. 01:07 IST:Shai Hope walks out to bat at number 3. 01:06 IST:2.2: Luke Wood to Johnson Charles, OUT! TAKEN! 'Catch it' is the cry and Jamie Smith answers the call with a sharp grab! Wood keeps it full, on middle and leg, Johnson Charles clears his front leg and heaves it away on the leg side. Gets it off the inner half of the bat and ends up hitting it flat towards square leg where Smith takes it over his head. 01:04 IST:2.1: Luke Wood to Johnson Charles, Wood attacks the stumps, very full, Johnson Charles digs it out in front of cover. 01:04 IST:1.6: Brydon Carse to Johnson Charles, Banged in short, over middle, pulled through mid-wicket for a single by JC. 01:04 IST:1.5: Brydon Carse to Johnson Charles, Very full, on off, Johnson Charles squeezes it out down the deck. 01:04 IST:1.4: Brydon Carse to Johnson Charles, FOUR! Johnson Charles makes the Free Hit count! Pitched up, on off and middle, Johnson gets under the ball and pumps it over mid off for a boundary. 01:04 IST:1.4: Brydon Carse to Johnson Charles, NO BALL! This zips through and Brydon Carse gets a good lift off the deck, over middle, Johnson Charles swings to take the short ball on but misses. Given as NO BALL for it being the second bouncer of the over. Free Hit to follow. 01:01 IST:1.3: Brydon Carse to Johnson Charles, FOUR! Johnson Charles finally connects and he is off the mark! Into the wicket by Carse, following the batter. Charles picks up the length early and pulls it behind square on the leg side for a boundary. 01:00 IST:1.2: Brydon Carse to Johnson Charles, Lands it on a back of a length, angling in, on middle and leg, Johnson Charles gets the front leg out of the way and swings to heave it away but misses as the ball sneaks under his bat. 01:00 IST:1.1: Brydon Carse to Evin Lewis, On a hard length, on off, Evin tucks it in front of short fine leg and gets to the other end quickly. 01:00 IST:Brydon Carse to share the attack now. 00:59 IST:0.6: Luke Wood to Johnson Charles, Wood spots JC backing away and he follows him. Charles has a hoick across the line but fails to connect and wears it on the pads. 00:58 IST:0.5: Luke Wood to Johnson Charles, The length is pulled back now, on middle and leg, Johnson Charles dabs it towards cover-point. 00:57 IST:0.4: Luke Wood to Johnson Charles, Swing and a miss! Tailing back in, fuller than the previous one. Johnson backs away to go down the ground but the ball beats him on the inside edge. 00:57 IST:0.3: Luke Wood to Johnson Charles, Shaping back into the right-hander, on the fuller side, Charles clears his front leg and swings across the line. Gets beaten on the inside edge and wears it on the back pad. 02:53 IST:0.2: Luke Wood to Evin Lewis, Leg bye! On a back of a length, on the pads, Lewis misses out as he looks to nudge it away. Gets it off the pads and a leg bye is taken as the ball rolls towards square leg. 02:53 IST:0.1: Luke Wood to Evin Lewis, SIX! Evin Lewis and West Indies are on their way! Wood strays on the pads from over the wicket, on a length. Easy pickings for Lewis as he picks it up and over deep backward square leg for a six. 01:00 IST:We are back for the chase! The players are already out in the middle now. Evin Lewis and Johnson Charles are the two openers for the West Indies. Luke Wood to start proceedings with the ball. Here we go... 00:54 IST:... THE RUN CHASE ... 01:04 IST:Not much went right for the Windies with the ball, as they were taken apart with ease. Their pace attack lacked penetration and struggled for control, allowing England's batters to dominate from the outset. The spin duo of Akeal Hosein and Gudakesh Motie did manage to pick up a wicket each, but by then the damage was well underway. A surprising move saw Sherfane Rutherford thrown into the attack, and he provided a rare bright spot by dismissing Buttler early, perhaps preventing an even steeper climb. However, in a disappointing turn of events, he picked up a hamstring injury, and we are unsure whether he will come out to bat or not, which would be a big loss if he cannot. Now, it's time for the Windies to flex their Caribbean muscle with the bat. If there's any team that can pull off a chase of this magnitude, it's them. Stick around for what promises to be a thrilling pursuit. 00:58 IST:Already 2-0 up in the series, England showed no signs of easing off. Their openers, Ben Duckett and Jamie Smith, came out firing on all cylinders, showing no mercy to the bowlers. Boundaries rained in every direction as they stormed to 83 runs in the Powerplay. Both openers brought up rapid half-centuries and shared a blistering 120-run stand for the first wicket. At the 10-over mark, they were cruising at 135/1- their highest-ever score at that stage in a T20I. Duckett fell short of a well-earned century, departing for a scintillating 84 off just 46 balls, but the momentum never dipped. Jos Buttler, Harry Brook, and Jacob Bethell - the Triple B's each chipped in with explosive cameos. Brook and Bethell combined brilliantly to add 70 more runs, propelling England close to that imposing 250-run mark. 01:02 IST:Be it Tests, ODIs, or T20Is, England's batting philosophy rests on a single, ruthless credo - relentless aggression. Losing a wicket barely ruffles them as each incoming batter brandishes the same fearless intent, and that collective mindset makes them a formidable outfit. Every player understands his role, embraces risk, and more often than not reaps the rewards. Tonight was yet another masterclass, as they blazed their way to 248, England's second-highest total in this format. 00:44 IST:19.6: Jason Holder to Harry Brook, Lowish full toss, angling in at the pads, Harry Brook gets low and swats it to the right of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs. England finish with 248 on the board! 00:43 IST:19.5: Jason Holder to Harry Brook, SIX! Extraordinary shot from Harry Brook! On a shortish length, on off, Brook backs away and sets up a strong base. Flat bats it down the ground over long off for a biggie. 00:42 IST:19.4: Jason Holder to Harry Brook, On a back of a length, outside off, Brook slices it wide of point for a couple of runs. 00:41 IST:19.3: Jason Holder to Jacob Bethell, Lands it full, on off, smashed down the ground to long off for a single by Bethell. 00:40 IST:19.3: Jason Holder to Jacob Bethell, Wide! Takes pace off and pulls the length back but this is beyond the guideline. 00:40 IST:19.2: Jason Holder to Jacob Bethell, Looks for the yorker again but this comes out as a low full toss, outside off, Bethell walks across to swipe it away but misses. 01:23 IST:19.1: Jason Holder to Jacob Bethell, Nails the wide yorker on off, Jacob misses as he looks to squeeze it out. 00:38 IST:18.6: Alzarri Joseph to Jacob Bethell, Full again, angling across, Bethell slices it away to deep point for one. 00:38 IST:18.6: Alzarri Joseph to Jacob Bethell, Wide! Joseph goes searching for the wide yorker but sprays it beyond the guideline. 00:37 IST:18.5: Alzarri Joseph to Jacob Bethell, SIX! Not the cleanest of hits but it will do nicely for Jacob Bethell! That in-between length from Joseph, outside off, Jacob takes a step closer to the line of the ball and pumps it over long on for a six. 00:36 IST:18.4: Alzarri Joseph to Harry Brook, On a hard length, on off, steered to deep backward point for a single. That brings up the 50-run stand between these two batters. 00:35 IST:18.3: Alzarri Joseph to Harry Brook, SIX! Harry Brook finally connects! Joseph bangs it in short at pace, around the right shoulder of the batter. Brook gets low enough to get under the ball and scoops it over the keeper's head for a six. 00:34 IST:18.2: Alzarri Joseph to Harry Brook, A good short ball from Joseph that keeps climbing onto the batter, Harry Brook looks to hook it away but misses. 00:34 IST:18.1: Alzarri Joseph to Harry Brook, On a nagging length, outside off, Harry Brook gives himself too much room and swings for the hills but does not connect. 00:33 IST:17.6: Jason Holder to Jacob Bethell, FOUR! Clever, very clever! Another slower one from Holder, on the fuller side, outside off, Bethell brings out the reverse paddle and plays it fine of the man at short third for a boundary. 00:33 IST:17.5: Jason Holder to Jacob Bethell, Excellent effort from Rovman Powell! Pace off and into the surface, on middle, Jacob Bethell flat bats it down the ground towards long on. Powell sprints to his right near the fence and makes the stop with his right boot, saving a couple of runs for his side. 00:31 IST:17.4: Jason Holder to Jacob Bethell, Executes the yorker to absolute perfection from around the wicket, Jacob Bethell hurriedly gets his bat down but misses as the ball goes through his legs. 00:31 IST:17.3: Jason Holder to Harry Brook, Holder pulls his length back and keeps it outside off, Harry walks across to scoop it over short fine leg but the ball gets big on him. Miscues it in front of square leg for one. 00:31 IST:17.2: Jason Holder to Harry Brook, Very full, on off, jammed back to the bowler by Brook. 00:30 IST:Halt! It looks like Sherfane Rutherford has done some damage to his hammy and is looking a bit in pain. He is actually walking off the field with the physio. West Indies will be hoping that it is nothing serious and he can come out to bat later in the game. 00:31 IST:17.1: Jason Holder to Jacob Bethell, Miscued but Jacob Bethell gets away with it! Holder comes from around the wicket and keeps it near the tramline on off, on a back of a length. Jacob reaches out and slices it over point where Johnson Charles turns around and goes after it. Sherfane Rutherford in the deep does not commit to the catch and jogs in to pick it up eventually. Suddenly, Rutherford pulls up and it seems to be a hamstring issue. 00:29 IST:Jason Holder comes back into the attack now. He has conceded 23 runs in his 2 overs. 00:27 IST:16.6: Gudakesh Motie to Jacob Bethell, Low full toss fired in, drilled down to long on for a single. 22 runs off Motie's final over. 00:26 IST:16.5: Gudakesh Motie to Jacob Bethell, SIX! Make that a hat-trick of sixes! Motie changes his angle of attack as he comes from around the wicket and pushes it through, on a nagging length, on middle, Jacob hops back in the crease and pulls it towards deep mid-wicket. Gets it over the leaping fielder in the deep for six more. 00:26 IST:16.4: Gudakesh Motie to Jacob Bethell, SIX! Back-to-back sixes for Jacob Bethell! This time, Motie gets the length wrong. A bit too short and it is slower. It sits up to be hit and Bethell slaps it back over the bowler's head for a six. 00:24 IST:16.3: Gudakesh Motie to Jacob Bethell, SIX! Beautifully picked up! Gudakesh Motie errs in line as this is far too straight, on the pads, on a length. Jacob makes use of the angle and swipes it over backward square leg for a six. 00:24 IST:16.2: Gudakesh Motie to Harry Brook, Flat and short, on off, Brook slices it over point for a single. 00:23 IST:16.2: Gudakesh Motie to Harry Brook, Wide! Tries to sneak it just inside the wide tramline on off, does Motie but he fails to do so. Harry Brook makes the leave. 00:23 IST:16.1: Gudakesh Motie to Jacob Bethell, Full and on off, driven to cover for a single. 00:23 IST:Gudakesh Motie (3-0-22-1) to bowl out now. 00:22 IST:15.6: Alzarri Joseph to Harry Brook, A sharp and quick bumper at the batter, Harry Brook gets a bit low and looks to ramp it over the keeper by using the pace but misses. 00:21 IST:15.5: Alzarri Joseph to Harry Brook, Big swing and a miss! On a back of a good length, Brook backs away and heaves across the line but gets beaten by the bounce generated by Joseph. 00:20 IST:15.5: Alzarri Joseph to Harry Brook, FIVE WIDES! Alzarri Joseph tries to follow Harry Brook again but gets the line wrong. Sprays it well down leg. Brook swings but fails to get any bat on it and the flying Shai Hope stands no chance. 00:20 IST:15.4: Alzarri Joseph to Harry Brook, A well-directed bumper, tucking the batter up for room, around the right shoulder, Harry Brook gets it off the splice as he goes for the pull. It lands in front of deep square leg and the batters run two. 00:19 IST:15.3: Alzarri Joseph to Jacob Bethell, Angling away, on a hard length, cut away to deep backward point for a single. 00:19 IST:15.2: Alzarri Joseph to Harry Brook, Was that a chance? Given as runs by the umpire, so that's the answer to the question. A tough chance, though. Joseph spots Brook backing away and follows him. On a hard length, Harry looks to whip it away on the leg side. Gets it off the gloves and it goes behind where Shai Hope flings himself to his left but the ball clips him on the fingertips and drops down. A single taken. 00:19 IST:England have a great platform, but can they reach the 250-run mark? 00:17 IST:15.1: Alzarri Joseph to Harry Brook, FOUR! Innovative and mighty effective! On a back of a length, outside off, Harry Brook walks across his stumps quickly and scoops it over short fine leg. Falls over on his back after completing the shot but the result is all that counts. 00:16 IST:14.6: Akeal Hosein to Jacob Bethell, Nails the yorker at the toes, Jacob Bethell squeezes it out towards short fine leg. Bethell wants a single but Brook sends him back. 00:16 IST:Jacob Bethell comes out to the middle now. 00:15 IST:14.5: Akeal Hosein to Ben Duckett, OUT! CLEANED HIM UP! Clever bowling from Akeal Hosein! Hosein pushes it through, on a fullish length in the line of the leg stump on seeing Ben Duckett making the move towards the off side. Duckett gets down on a knee for the sweep but misses. The ball sneaks past him to clatter into the leg pole. End of a fine knock from Ben. He falls for 84 (46) and England are now 178/3. 00:13 IST:14.4: Akeal Hosein to Harry Brook, Tossed up, on middle and leg, Brook skips down the track and lofts it on the bounce to long on for one. 00:12 IST:14.3: Akeal Hosein to Ben Duckett, Chance? Lowish full toss, on off, Ben Duckett gets low to smash it down the ground. Duckett manages to get enough elevation to clear Akeal Hosein. The ball sails over the head of Akeal for a couple of runs. 00:12 IST:14.2: Akeal Hosein to Ben Duckett, Very full, on middle, Ben Duckett jams it out in the vacant mid-wicket region and comes charging back for the second run. 00:11 IST:14.1: Akeal Hosein to Harry Brook, Speared in, full and on the pads, Brook works it away to wide long on for a run. 00:10 IST:13.6: Sherfane Rutherford to Harry Brook, Nails the yorker at the base of the off stump. Brook hurriedly gets his bat down and slips a bit in the process. Squeezes it to point for one. 00:09 IST:13.5: Sherfane Rutherford to Harry Brook, FOUR! Nicely done! On a hard length, at pace, on middle, Brook backs away and opens the bat face. Uses the pace to steer it wide of backward point for a boundary. 00:08 IST:13.4: Sherfane Rutherford to Ben Duckett, Full, pace off, wide outside off, Ben Duckett drives it to covers for a single. 00:08 IST:13.4: Sherfane Rutherford to Ben Duckett, Fuller, well wide outside off, Ben Duckett cannot reach it, and WIDE called. 00:07 IST:13.4: Sherfane Rutherford to Ben Duckett, Slower one, down the leg-side, Ben Duckett tries to scoop but misses it. WIDED! 00:07 IST:13.3: Sherfane Rutherford to Ben Duckett, FOUR! Pace off delivery from Sherfane Rutherford, short length, outside off, Ben Duckett cuts it nicely behind deep backward point. Evin Lewis once again dives but does not manage to stop the ball. 00:06 IST:13.2: Sherfane Rutherford to Ben Duckett, Short, angling away from the batter, Ben Duckett cuts it to deep point where Evin Lewis dives to stop the ball. Two runs taken. 00:06 IST:13.1: Sherfane Rutherford to Ben Duckett, Starts with fuller, wide outside off, Ben Duckett drags that one straight to the extra cover fielder. 00:05 IST:12.6: Gudakesh Motie to Harry Brook, Shorter and quicker, on off, Harry Brook cuts it straight to backward point. Back-to-back quiet overs for West Indies! 00:04 IST:12.5: Gudakesh Motie to Ben Duckett, Very full, on the pads, turned away in front of square on the leg side for another single. 00:04 IST:12.4: Gudakesh Motie to Harry Brook, Short and on middle, punched to long on for one more by Harry. 00:03 IST:12.3: Gudakesh Motie to Ben Duckett, Motie tries to push it through but ends up bowling a full toss, flat batted down to long on for a run by Ben. 00:03 IST:12.2: Gudakesh Motie to Harry Brook, On the pads, Brook works it to deep mid-wicket and gets off the mark with a single. 00:02 IST:12.1: Gudakesh Motie to Ben Duckett, Full and on the pads, Ben flicks it to deep backward square leg for one. 00:03 IST:Harry Brook is the next man in. Also, Gudakesh Motie replaces Akeal Hosein. 00:02 IST:11.6: Sherfane Rutherford to Jos Buttler, OUT! CAUGHT! The introduction of Sherfane Rutherford has paid off for the West Indies. Full length, wide outside off, Jos Buttler shuffles across the off stump and goes aerial over covers but doesn't get the distance. Shimron Hetmyer, standing at deep cover, runs in off the ropes and takes a good catch to remove Buttler. Six runs and the big wicket of Buttler in that over. 00:00 IST:11.5: Sherfane Rutherford to Ben Duckett, Full length, just outside off, Ben Duckett drives that one through covers for a single. 23:59 IST:11.4: Sherfane Rutherford to Jos Buttler, Takes pace off and it is on the fuller side, outside off, Jos Buttler swings too early and mishits it to long on for a run. 23:58 IST:11.3: Sherfane Rutherford to Ben Duckett, On a nagging length, around off, Duckett flays it to deep backward point for one. 23:58 IST:11.2: Sherfane Rutherford to Jos Buttler, Another one from Rutherford kept away from the batter, Jos reaches out and cuts it to deep point for one. It would have been a wide had Buttler left it. 23:58 IST:11.2: Sherfane Rutherford to Jos Buttler, Wide! Sprayed beyond the wide guideline on off. Jos lets it be. 150 up for England! 23:57 IST:11.1: Sherfane Rutherford to Ben Duckett, Pushed across the left-hander, on a length, Duckett slices it to deep point for a single. 23:56 IST:10.6: Akeal Hosein to Jos Buttler, SIX! Jos on the charge! Fuller, sliding on the leg stump, Jos Buttler skips down the track using his feet, and smashes it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum. 13 runs from the over. 23:55 IST:10.5: Akeal Hosein to Ben Duckett, Fuller, outside-off, Ben Duckett sweeps it to square leg for a single. 23:54 IST:10.4: Akeal Hosein to Ben Duckett, FOUR! Akeal Hosein drops that one short, outside off, Ben Duckett sees the length and pulls that one towards deep mid-wicket. The fielder there runs to his right to stop that one, but can't get to the ball as it races to the fence for a four. 23:53 IST:10.3: Akeal Hosein to Jos Buttler, Fuller, on the leg stump, Jos Buttler clips it to mid-wicket for a single. 23:53 IST:10.2: Akeal Hosein to Ben Duckett, Shortish, outside off, Ben Duckett works it to long on for a single. 23:52 IST:10.1: Akeal Hosein to Ben Duckett, Lands it short, on the off stump, Ben Duckett hits this one straight to the cover fielder. 23:54 IST:DRINKS BREAK! What a start this has been from England. They have laid the perfect platform for a huge total, and 200 now looks almost inevitable. The only question is how much further they can push. West Indies will be keen to regroup during this break. Their bowling has lacked consistency in line and length, but they will be looking to tighten up and claw back some control. Shai Hope turns to Akeal Hosein. 2-0-24-0 so far for Akeal. 23:52 IST:9.6: Alzarri Joseph to Jos Buttler, FOUR! Not where he intended it to go, but they all count! Joseph follows the batter and serves this full and outside off. Jos Buttler shuffles across for the scoop but gets cramped up as the ball goes off the top edge towards the third man fence for a boundary. Simon Doull informs on air that this is England's best 10-over score in T20Is. 23:47 IST:9.5: Alzarri Joseph to Jos Buttler, SIX! That is outta here! Alzarri Joseph hits the length hard and on middle, angling in a bit. Jos Buttler moves across to get inside the line of the ball and shovels it over the fine leg fence for a biggie. 23:46 IST:9.4: Alzarri Joseph to Ben Duckett, Good length, wide outside off, Ben Duckett reaches out for it and cuts it to point for a single. 23:46 IST:9.3: Alzarri Joseph to Jos Buttler, Short, outside off. the ball gets big on Jos Buttler and he fends it to mid-wicket for a run. 23:45 IST:9.2: Alzarri Joseph to Ben Duckett, A bit fuller from the previous delivery, wide outside off, Ben Duckett throws his hands to it and plays it to cover for a single. 23:44 IST:9.1: Alzarri Joseph to Jos Buttler, Starts from over the wicket, back of a length, angling into the batter, Jos Buttler hits it to deep backward square leg for a single. 23:42 IST:8.6: Gudakesh Motie to Jos Buttler, Fuller, sliding on the pads, Jos Buttler guides it towards long on for a single. 8 runs and a wicket from the over! 23:43 IST:Jos Buttler is in at number 3. 23:41 IST:8.5: Gudakesh Motie to Jamie Smith, OUT! TAKEN IN THE DEEP! Gudakesh Motie finally gets the first breakthrough for West Indies. Something to cheer about for the visitors. This one is dragged back, on middle. Jamie Smith rocks and looks to smash it over mid-wicket, but just fails to get the distance on this one as he hits it from the bottom half of the bat. It goes high in the air towards deep mid-wicket, where Shimron Hetmyer settles under it near the ropes and pouches it safely. Smith departs after a smashing 60 off 26, and the huge 120-run opening stand is broken now. 23:40 IST:8.4: Gudakesh Motie to Ben Duckett, Slows it down, full and on off, swept through square leg for a single. 23:40 IST:8.3: Gudakesh Motie to Ben Duckett, Fired in, very full, at the stumps, Duckett drills it down the ground where Romario Shepherd sprints and slides to his right at long on and cuts it off. Another couple of runs. 23:43 IST:8.2: Gudakesh Motie to Ben Duckett, Tossed up, full and on off, Ben sweeps it to the right of deep backward square leg for another brace. 23:43 IST:8.1: Gudakesh Motie to Ben Duckett, From over the wicket, fuller, outside off. Ben Duckett comes down the track and tucks it wide of long on for a couple. 23:43 IST:7.6: Romario Shepherd to Jamie Smith, DROPPED! Shimron Hetmyer has put it down, and how costly will it be for the West Indies? Fuller, wide outside off, Jamie Smith goes hard after it as he looks to loft it over extra cover, but doesn't get the connection right. Shimron Hetmyer looks to take it over his head but the ball bursts through his hands. Two runs taken. 23:37 IST:7.5: Romario Shepherd to Jamie Smith, SIX MORE! Best of the lot! Bangs this one hard into the surface, outside off. Jamie Smith stays in his crease and leg side of the ball. He extends his arms to reach out for it and slaps it over the deep extra cover fence for the third six in the over. Nothing is bothering these two! 23:42 IST:7.4: Romario Shepherd to Jamie Smith, SIX! FIFTY FOR SMITH! A fiery half-century from the youngster. He gets to his maiden T20I fifty in just 23 balls, and this is looking really threatening for the Windies. Goes fuller and on middle, angling in a bit. This is in the slot and Smith does not miss out as he tonks it over the long on fence again for half a dozen more. Also, 100 up for England! 23:35 IST:7.3: Romario Shepherd to Jamie Smith, Romario Shepherd goes fuller, wide outside off. Jamie Smith reaches out for it but doesn't get any bat onto it. 23:34 IST:7.2: Romario Shepherd to Jamie Smith, SIX! Stand and deliver! Short of a length and just around off, Jamie Smith just stands tall, gets right on top of the bounce and swats it over the long on fence for a biggie. Jason Holder is there but he had no chance. 23:33 IST:7.1: Romario Shepherd to Ben Duckett, Starts from over the wicket, on back of a length, on the leg stump. Ben Duckett pulls it to deep backward square leg for a single. 23:34 IST:Alzarri Joseph is back on the field. Romario Shepherd is back into the attack. Went for 18 runs in his first and only over so far. 23:32 IST:6.6: Gudakesh Motie to Jamie Smith, Fuller, outside off. Jamie Smith comes down the track and hits it back to the bowler. 23:31 IST:6.5: Gudakesh Motie to Jamie Smith, SIX! Clears the fence! Jamie Smith is not holding back either! Flighted, full and on leg. Smith goes down on one knee and heaves it away. He does not get it from the middle of the bat and the fielder at deep mid-wicket thinks he is in the game. However, the wind takes it sailing over his head for a biggie. 23:31 IST:6.4: Gudakesh Motie to Jamie Smith, Almost a yorker, outside off, Jamie Smith looks to squeeze it but doesn't get any connection. 23:30 IST:6.3: Gudakesh Motie to Ben Duckett, Fuller, outside off. Ben Duckett gets down on a knee and sweeps it to square leg for one. 23:30 IST:6.2: Gudakesh Motie to Jamie Smith, Switches to around the wicket, shortish, on the stumps. Jamie Smith works from the back foot to long on for a single. 23:29 IST:6.1: Gudakesh Motie to Ben Duckett, Starts from over the wicket, fuller, on the off stump, Ben Duckett tucks it to mid on for a single. 23:28 IST:5.6: Jason Holder to Ben Duckett, FIFTY FOR DUCKETT! This has been a scintillating knock from him as he gets to it in just 20 balls. It is also the joint 4th fastest for an English batter in this format. A slower low full toss, on middle, Ben Duckett knocks it towards mid on for one. England are 83 for no loss at the end of the Powerplay! 23:27 IST:5.5: Jason Holder to Ben Duckett, FOUR! Top shot! Jason Holder bangs this one into the pitch, on off. Ben Duckett stays leg side of the ball, rides the bounce and ramps it over short third for four more runs. 23:26 IST:5.4: Jason Holder to Ben Duckett, Gets the yorker right this time, on off, Ben Duckett makes room but only manages to dig it out to the off side. 23:27 IST:Alzarri Joseph has gone off the field to receive treatment for his right thumb. Roston Chase is on the park as his substitute. 23:26 IST:5.3: Jason Holder to Ben Duckett, FOUR! Easy pickings! Short of a length and just outside off, Ben Duckett backs away a bit, frees his arms and crunches it over point for another boundary. 23:25 IST:5.2: Jason Holder to Jamie Smith, Pitched up and on middle, Jamie Smith flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single. 23:24 IST:5.1: Jason Holder to Jamie Smith, FOUR! Class written all over it! Fuller one and on middle, Jamie Smith presents the full face of the bat and plays a fabulous on drive as the ball races to the long on fence for a boundary. 23:24 IST:4.6: Alzarri Joseph to Ben Duckett, FOUR! SMASHED! Save your heads! Good length and on middle, Ben Duckett backs away and flat-bats it really hard down the pitch. Alzarri Joseph on his follow-through, gets his right thumb on it, but it just does not stick. It evades the umpire and races to the fence for another boundary. Maybe half a chance, but a tough one. 18 runs off the over. 23:22 IST:4.5: Alzarri Joseph to Ben Duckett, FOUR! Superb batting! Alzarri Joseph goes for the yorker, outside off. Ben Duckett shuffles across early, takes it on the full and scoops it towards the fine leg fence for another boundary. 23:22 IST:4.4: Alzarri Joseph to Ben Duckett, Falls short! Hits the length hard again, on middle, Ben Duckett mistimes his pull as the ball drops just in front of mid-wicket. 23:21 IST:4.3: Alzarri Joseph to Ben Duckett, FOUR! Lovely shot! Short of a length and on the sixth stump line. Ben Duckett lets it come to him, opens the face of the bat and uses the pace to steer it through point for a boundary. 23:20 IST:4.2: Alzarri Joseph to Ben Duckett, Back of a length and around off, Ben Duckett stabs it towards extra covers. 23:20 IST:4.1: Alzarri Joseph to Ben Duckett, SIX! Welcome to the game, Alzarri Joseph! He bangs this one into the pitch, on middle, sits up nicely for the batter. Ben Duckett stands tall, gets on top of it and whacks it over the deep square leg fence for a flat six. 23:19 IST:3.6: Romario Shepherd to Jamie Smith, FOUR! 50 up for England in no time! A slower one, full and on middle, Jamie Smith gets deceived by the lack of pace but still manages to lift it well over mid on for four more runs. 23:18 IST:3.5: Romario Shepherd to Jamie Smith, SIX! BOOM! Romario Shepherd sticks to shorter length and on middle. Jamie Smith picks up the length early and pulls it nicely over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie. 23:17 IST:3.4: Romario Shepherd to Jamie Smith, Short of a length and around off, Jamie Smith tries to go over covers again, but this time slices it a bit. He just gets it over the fielder for a brace. 23:17 IST:3.3: Romario Shepherd to Jamie Smith, FOUR! Threads the gap beautifully! Romario Shepherd goes a bit fuller and around middle. Jamie Smith gives himself some room to access the off side and carves it between cover and extra cover for a boundary. 23:16 IST:3.2: Romario Shepherd to Ben Duckett, Hits the length hard but down the leg, Ben Duckett helps it towards fine leg for a run. 23:15 IST:3.1: Romario Shepherd to Jamie Smith, Back of a length and on middle, Jamie Smith flat-bats it wide of mid on for a single. 23:14 IST:2.6: Akeal Hosein to Ben Duckett, Fires one full and on middle, Ben Duckett gets low and swipes it to mid-wicket. 17 runs off the over! 02:54 IST:2.5: Akeal Hosein to Ben Duckett, FOUR! Excellent use of the feet! Flatter, full and just outside off. Ben Duckett dances down the track, extends his arms to reach for it and thumps it past the bowler for four more runs. 02:54 IST:2.4: Akeal Hosein to Ben Duckett, SIX! Incredible shot! He is playing with the field now! There was a deep backward square leg before Duckett hit the first boundary in this over. This one is tossed up, full and around off. Ben Duckett goes down across well and slog-sweeps it powerfully over the same region for a biggie. 02:54 IST:2.3: Akeal Hosein to Ben Duckett, In the Flighted, full and on middle, Ben Duckett skips down the track and lofts it but fails to get a hold of this one. The ball goes up in the air and well over mid on as Evin Lewis chases after it and flicks it back just in time to keep it down to two. 02:54 IST:2.2: Akeal Hosein to Ben Duckett, FOUR! Nicely played! Floated, full and on middle, Ben Duckett crouches a bit low but keeps his front leg out of the way, and slogs it to the deep mid-wicket fence for a boundary. 02:54 IST:2.1: Akeal Hosein to Jamie Smith, Quicker one, low full toss around off, Jamie Smith tries to drive it but gets an inside edge towards square leg for a single. 02:54 IST:1.6: Jason Holder to Jamie Smith, Short of a length and on middle, angling in, Jamie Smith gets a bit hurried and mistimes his pull shot towards deep square leg for one. 02:54 IST:1.5: Jason Holder to Jamie Smith, FOUR! Up and over! Pitched up and just on off. Jamie Smith gets right underneath it and with the full flow of the bat lofts it well over mid on for his first boundary. 02:54 IST:1.4: Jason Holder to Ben Duckett, On a length and on leg, Ben Duckett nudges it through square leg for a run. 02:54 IST:1.3: Jason Holder to Jamie Smith, Pulls his length back a bit, on off, Jamie Smith drives it on the up towards sweeper covers for a single. 02:54 IST:1.2: Jason Holder to Jamie Smith, Touch fuller and around off, Jamie Smith pushes it nicely through covers for a couple of runs. 02:54 IST:1.1: Jason Holder to Jamie Smith, Jason Holder begins with a good-length delivery, on off, shaping in a bit, Jamie Smith blocks it down the pitch. 23:04 IST:Who will bowl from the other end? It will be Jason Holder. 02:55 IST:0.6: Akeal Hosein to Ben Duckett, FOUR! Unorthodox but effective! Akeal Hosein gives this one a little bit more flight, full and on middle and leg. Ben Duckett has already decided to go for the switch-hit early. He gets into a good position and smacks it over extra covers for the first boundary of the game. 02:55 IST:0.5: Akeal Hosein to Jamie Smith, Pushed through quicker, short and on middle, nips back in sharply as this is the arm ball, Jamie Smith moves back and flicks it off the inside half of the bat through mid-wicket for another run. 02:55 IST:0.4: Akeal Hosein to Ben Duckett, Darts this one full and on middle, Ben Duckett drills it to long on for a run. 02:55 IST:0.3: Akeal Hosein to Ben Duckett, Flighted, full and on middle and off, drifts away, Ben Duckett knocks it down the pitch. 02:55 IST:0.2: Akeal Hosein to Jamie Smith, England and Jamie Smith are underway! Tossed up, full and on middle, Jamie Smith tucks it wide of mid on for a single. 02:55 IST:0.1: Akeal Hosein to Jamie Smith, Akeal Hosein starts with a floated delivery, full and on off, Jamie Smith strides out and pushes it to short covers. 23:01 IST:We are all set to get going. Shai Hope leads his troops out to the middle. Out walk the two English openers, Jamie Smith and Ben Duckett. West Indies are starting with spin in the form of Akeal Hosein. Smith to face. Let's play... 22:36 IST:England (Unchanged Playing XI) - Jamie Smith, Ben Duckett, Jos Buttler (WK), Harry Brook (C), Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Brydon Carse, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood. 22:36 IST:West Indies (Playing XI) - Evin Lewis, Johnson Charles, Shimron Hetmyer (In place of Roston Chase), Shai Hope (C/WK), Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd, Jason Holder, Gudakesh Motie, Alzarri Joseph, Akeal Hosein. 22:34 IST:TOSS - West Indies have won the toss and elected to BOWL first.
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
South Africa vs Australia, WTC final: Lord's, London – Pitch report, weather forecast, AI predictions and more
South Africa will lock horns with Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) final on Wednesday day (June 11). The clash will be played at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground in London. While the defending champions Australia will want to reclaim the title, South Africa will seek to clinch their first WTC trophy. The deck at the Lord's will help the pacers in the beginning, however, it is expected to be on the drier side as the game progresses and therefore will assist the spinners. If the batters manage to put runs on the board in the initial overs without losing wickets, then the pitch will be favourable for them to register a good total. According to AccuWeather, the temperature in London will hover around 20 degrees Celsius at the beginning of the game and will increase to 23 degrees Celsius by the end. The sky is expected to be partly sunny throughout the match duration and there is a negligible chance of rain. Total matches played: 147 Matches won by batting first: 53 Matches won by batting second: 43 Highest team total: 729/6 by Australia vs England Lowest team total: 38/10 by Ireland vs England Highest total successfully chased: 344/1 by West Indies vs England Lowest total defended: 62/10 by England vs Australia Matches ending in a draw: 4 Matches ending in a draw: 15 Matches won by South Africa: 26 Matches won by Australia: 54 Matches ended in a draw: 21 Australia and South Africa have faced each other thrice in neutral Tests, with all three played in 1912. Australia won two of those Tests at Manchester and Lord's. The third at Nottingham ended in a draw. Australia will win the 2025 WTC Final against South Africa. Steve Smith is likely to score the most runs and Pat Cummins will take the most wickets. Australia's experience at the Lord's and current form gives them an edge. Smith's recent five centuries and Cummins' 6/45 in Sydney back their dominance, despite South Africa's strong pace attack. Australia are favourites to win the WTC Final 2025 at Lord's, thanks to their experienced pace attack and strong batting depth. Steve Smith is likely to score the most runs, given his stellar record in English conditions. Pat Cummins is expected to take the most wickets, exploiting Lord's swing-friendly pitch. South Africa may fight hard, but Australia's balance and familiarity with the venue give them a clear edge.
India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
WTC final 2025: Australia aim to defend their crown as South Africa chase history at Lord's
London [UK] June 10 (ANI): The stage is set at Lord's for what promises to be a gripping ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final as reigning champions Australia prepare to defend their title against a determined South African side eager to make history. This will be Australia's second consecutive appearance in a WTC final, having won the 2023 edition against India, while for South Africa, it marks their first-ever shot at Test cricket's ultimate prize. The match brings together two sides with outstanding records at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground, often referred to as the 'Home of Cricket.' Australia have played 23 Tests at the venue, winning 12, losing just two, and drawing nine. South Africa, since their return to international cricket in 1991, have won five of their seven Tests at Lord's, drawn one, and lost only once, back in 2017. In their last appearance at the venue in 2022, the Proteas stunned England with an emphatic innings victory inside three days. With both sides enjoying strong histories at the ground, the final has fittingly been dubbed a clash between the 'Lords of Lord's.' There is plenty at stake for both teams. A win for Australia would make them the first team to successfully defend the WTC title, adding to their 2023 triumph. It would also earn captain Pat Cummins his third ICC trophy in under two years, having already led his side to WTC and World Cup glory in 2023, both times defeating India in the finals. For South Africa, this match represents a golden opportunity to shed the long-standing 'chokers' tag and lift their first major ICC title since the 1998 Champions Trophy, then known as the ICC KnockOut. South Africa's road to the final has been marked by consistency and dominance. They topped the WTC standings with a points percentage of 69.44, having notched up impressive victories against West Indies, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. Australia, who finished second with a points percentage of 67.54, had a more diverse campaign, registering 13 wins, four losses, and two draws from 19 matches. Their path included a 2-2 draw in the Ashes against England, a 3-0 whitewash of Pakistan, a 1-1 draw against West Indies, a 2-0 away win in New Zealand, a 3-1 triumph over India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and a 2-0 win in Sri Lanka. Among the many subplots to this final, the battle between Steve Smith and Kagiso Rabada stands out as potentially match-defining. In 15 innings where they have faced off, Smith has scored 128 runs off Rabada's bowling at an average of 48.85 and a strike rate of 32.00. The South African quick has dismissed him four times and kept him quiet with 207 dot balls, despite conceding 16 fours and two sixes. Rabada's record at Lord's adds to the intrigue; he averages just 19.38 at the venue with 13 wickets in two Tests, including a five-wicket haul. Only Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc have comparable numbers at the ground. Smith, however, is no less dominant at Lord's, having scored 525 runs in five Tests at an average of 58.33, with two centuries and two fifties. His most recent innings at the ground was a brilliant 110 against England during the 2023 Ashes. Australia captain Pat Cummins, speaking ahead of the final, emphasised the importance of embracing pressure situations. 'With some success, you just want to experience more of it, and that means when the going gets tough or the pressure is on, you embrace that. You take it on. You want to be the match-winner. Hopefully you don't get overwhelmed by big moments,' he said, as quoted from ESPNcricinfo. South African skipper Temba Bavuma confirmed that Lungi Ngidi will play ahead of Dane Paterson, pointing to the added pace and bounce Ngidi brings to the table. 'We've seen what Patto (Paterson) did for us at the end of last season. But from a tactical point of view, there's a little bit more pace from Lungi. He is taller as well,' Bavuma said. Australia playing 11: 1. Usman Khawaja, 2. Marnus Labuschagne, 3. Cameron Green, 4. Steve Smith, 5. Travis Head, 6. Beau Webster, 7. Alex Carey (wk), 8. Pat Cummins (c), 9. Mitchell Starc, 10. Nathan Lyon, 11. Josh Hazlewood. South Africa playing XI: Temba Bavuma (c), Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verrynne, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi. (ANI)
