It was a good day for England. They won the first T20 of their series with India. It was a performance that makes the number one ranked side in the format one of the favourites for the next T20 World Cup scheduled for October and November this year.
I don't think you will find anyone in the England camp to admit
it publicly. It will take something special for anyone to break into this
squad, which sounds like bad news for Alex Hales. The Nottinghamshire opener
lost the senior players' trust in the run-up to the 2019 World Cup and has been
trying to regain his place ever since.
Hales's problem is that Jason Roy is just as effective at
the top of the order on his day. With England also opening the batting with Jos
Buttler, spaces are at a premium. England could even bat Jonny Bairstow in that
place as well.
It was a welcome return of form for Bairstow today after his
red-ball struggles. With the game as good as won by the time the Yorkshire
wicketkeeper-batsman came to the middle, he could free his arms and take the
attack to the bowling. Bairstow finished with 26 not out from 17 balls as
England won by eight wickets with 29 balls to spare.
In T20 terms, that is about as comprehensive a victory you
can get. Much of the win was built on England's bowling. There is genuine pace
in Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, good death bowling for Chris Jordan, and Adil
Rashid's spin giving England's attack real match winners.
What is even better for England is they have other options
in the bowlers they use. David Willey and Chris Woakes are useful options, and
Moeen Ali is a handy second spinner.
England will expect India to come back at them for the rest
of the series, and it will be an actual test of England's chances to bring back
another T20 World Cup. It won't be easy for the ODI World Champions to hold
both trophy's, but Eion Morgan's side will give it their best to achieve it.
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