The Black Caps were once the inspiration, now they are the last obstacle standing between a daring England and the World CupAs it was in the beginning, so shall it be in the end. Four years on from the start of English cricket’s great white‑ball paradigm shift, Eoin Morgan’s band of buccaneers return to Lord’s on Sunday for the World Cup final. In the process they find themselves facing the most poignant of opposition.Through that period of revamp and clearing out it is New Zealand who have been a significant constant for this new model England. First as an inspiration, then as a yardstick of progress and now as the final obstacle in the path of this brilliantly planned and...
Following failure in 1975, England assumed the cricket world would be small enough to conquer eventually. They’re still waiting but now have their best chance yetJune 1975. On Monday the 2nd it snowed: a full inch at Buxton, wreaking havoc with Derbyshire v Lancashire; flurries outside my bedroom in Northamptonshire; the odd flake at Lord’s.By the Thursday the weather had perked up and the people of Britain felt cheery enough to vote Yes to staying in the Common Market. On the Saturday cricket’s first World Cup began. The June sun shone, the crowds poured in and the nation was transfixed until West Indies beat Australia in a gloriously theatrical final at Lord’s a fortnight later. No one knew the old...
For England to have a fast bowler that menacing is unusual, for them to have a wrist spinner that deadly is almost unprecedented as Australia found to their cost in the semi-finalSome strange daydream, this, a child’s idea of what an England win might look like, or a revenge fantasy perhaps, cooked up by despondent English fans in their lowest moments. By the middle of the afternoon, the thousands at Edgbaston seemed almost drunk with happiness watching it come true in front of them.From the top of the pavilion, where their victory songs echoed around the rafters, you could see the heavy weather circling Birmingham. The Met Office had put out a weather warning and, judging by the smudges away...
England’s most destructive opener made quick work of Mitchell Starc and co and was unlucky with his dismissalTen minutes after the end of this ultimately rather brutal eight‑wicket semi-final defeat of Australia Adil Rashid was down by the boundary signing autographs for a throng of England fans. As he posed for another selfie Jason Roy appeared behind him, wrapped him in a bear hug and carried him off up the stairs, both feet off the ground, to the safety of the England dressing room.It was that kind of day. With England batting second on a clammy afternoon, and starting to thrum up through the gears at 25 without loss, Roy had already begun to do extraordinary things. Related: England thrash...
Everything has fallen into place for Aaron Finch’s side and history only adds to their serenity before the semi-finalAustralia are a team who should look rattled. They are playing the hosts and favourites in a semi‑final at a supposed fortress. Awaiting in the World Cup final at Lord’s are New Zealand, who should have beaten them at the same venue a couple of weeks ago but for a rearguard from the first drop, Usman Khawaja. Now Khawaja is gone with a hamstring strain and, Shaun Marsh, who was his backup, has a broken wrist from a training mishap. Marcus Stoinis has more torn muscles than a butcher’s shop but the all-rounder is supposedly going to play. The squad have two...