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Over-by-over updates from Old Trafford, 6pm BST start
Pope out for four months with dislocated shoulder
One-off women’s tournament brings new opportunities
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6.25pm BST
5th over: England 25-1 (Banton 11, Malan 12) Shaheen follows Imad, changing to the Statham End. And there’s England’s second boundary, pulled away by Malan off his tummy, into the gap behing square. Neatly struck. But just two singles from the four remaining opportunities, making six from it. One over left with the field up.
John Starbuck is upset about my discussion of the Welsh connection with bat v ball earlier on. Sorry, John. He’s also angry at TMS for playing the ground noise between overs. “And if we’ve got to hear it, your music appreciation thoughts.” It’s been white noise to me but I’ll pay attention over the next couple of overs and assess.
6.19pm BST
4th over: England 19-1 (Banton 10, Malan 7) Shaheen wants to go again but he’s sent away: it’s Mohammad Amir’s turn. Banton takes a couple of balls to find the gap, getting one down the ground, Malan then turning a further two to midwicket. The only further single he gets isn’t without risk, a clip landing about five metres away from the man at deep backward square. This is Pakistan’s power play so far. Continue reading...