Eoin Morgan’s crucial 107 guided England to 339 for 6 in the first One-Day International against South Africa at Headingley on Wednesday (May 24).
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England will be among of the front-runners to clinch the ICC Champions Trophy this year after vastly improving their outfit in the limited overs format under skipper Eoin Morgan.
Nasser Hussain, like Pietersen a former England captain, defended Stokes´s recall to national training duty by saying: “The reason he got an IPL deal was because of how wonderful he has been for England. We can pick two or three different changes from our squad of 15 and it’s a very good position to be in”.
“When they tell you to turn up to a training camp you turn up to a training camp to prepare for a tournament that we have underachieved in for 20-30 years”. With Alex Hales and Jason Roy, they have some unsafe players who will be eager to gain form and carry that into the Champions Trophy. “But it’s important for us to focus on our job at hand”. He did return to the outfield and Morgan and coach Trevor Bayliss will hope that it is nothing too serious ahead of the Champions Trophy.
“The T20 tournament will make a big difference in keeping guys over there”, he said.
With all the time in the world to punish short balls from Adil Rashid and Woakes respectively, JP Duminy and David Miller both gave their wickets away cheaply by inexplicably picking out deep leg side fielders.
The Proteas have extended their condolences and sympathy to the victims and families of those affected by the bombing incident in Manchester. I will assess things then.
Facing South Africa can give England the ideal preparation for a tilt at the ICC Champions Trophy title next month, according to Joe Root.
Hashim Amla (73) and Faf du Plessis (67) top-scored for the tourists in the first instalment of a three-match series, but it was the removal of AB de Villiers (45) in the 38th over that signalled the end of the South African challenge – Chris Woakes (4-38) was instrumental in their downfall.
Amla believes South Africa’s blend of youth and experience can be a determining factor in the series.
The ICC has already put out a statement about security ahead of the Champions Trophy, which will be held in London, Birmingham and Cardiff from June 1-18, following the ODI series between England and South Africa.
“It was the best way we could have started, a very good day at the office and a pretty complete performance”, he said.
Since January 2016, the team has won 17 out of the 26 games played while losing just seven.
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It was bookended by Quinton de Kock skying Chris Woakes to short fine leg in the seventh over and Amla being trapped in front after misreading an inswinger from Mark Wood in the 25th.
