The pace bowler picked up a side injury during his debut in Perth

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Dec-2023

Pace bowler Khurram Shahzad has been ruled out of the remainder of the Test series in Australia due to a rib stress fracture and abdominal muscle tear.Shahzad had reported side soreness while bowling on debut in the first Test in Perth and was sent for scans with those revealing the fracture in his left tenth rib. He won’t be able to feature in either Melbourne or Sydney.”PCB will now consult a specialist in Australia after which a final management protocol will be established for the player,” a statement said. “He will then return to the NCA in Lahore where he will continue his injury management and rehabilitation.”Shahzad had impressed in Perth where he removed Steven Smith twice in the match and claimed 3 for 45 in the second innings with the additional scalps of David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne.His absence adds to Pakistan’s growing bowling injury woes. Naseem Shah was ruled out of the tour with a long-term injury, while legspinner Abrar Ahmed missed the first Test with discomfort in his right leg. He is a significant doubt for the whole tour.His replacement Noman Ali, the left-arm spinner, sustained a finger injury according to head coach Mohammad Hafeez. Sajid Khan, flown in as cover, arrived too late to play the first Test, and is expected to take his place in the second with Pakistan seeking to play a specialist spinner.In terms of a like-for-like replacement for Shahzad, Pakistan have Hasan Ali and Mohammad Wasim Jnr in the squad.Pakistan will play a two-day game against a Victorian XI side at the Junction Oval starting December 22. It will not be a first-class game, allowing Pakistan to give a run to as many players as they need.Pakistan are 1-0 down in the series after being beaten by 360 runs in Perth. They have not won a Test in Australia since 1995.

 أصبح برشلونة مستعد لاتخاذ إجراء قوي ضد حارسه الألماني الدولي مارك تير شتيجن بعد رفضه التوقيع على التقرير الطبي الذي يسمح للنادي بإرساله لرابطة الليجا واعتماده من قبل اللجنة الطبية.

ويشعر رئيس برشلونة خوان لابورتا والمدير الرياضي ديكو بالاستياء من تير شتيجن مما دفع النادي للتفكير في تجريد الحارس الألماني من شارة القيادة.

أقرأ أيضاً.. أزمة متوقعة في برشلونة قبل لقاء كأس خوان جامبر بسبب تير شتيجن

وبحسب ما نشرته صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” على العكس من بعض المصادر التي أفادت بأن هانز فليك مدرب برشلونة بناء على طلب النادي قد جرد بالفعل تير شتيجن من شارة القيادة، فقد نفت المصادر أن يكون قد تم اتخاذ القرار بشكل رسمي.

وقد أكدت المصادر في النادي أن قرار سحب شارة القيادة بشكل رسمي من تير شتيجن سيناقش مع هانز فليك اليوم الخميس في المدينة الرياضية بالتزامن مع عودة الفريق إلى التدريبات بعد جولته في آسيا.

ولا يزال الحارس الألماني الدولي متمسك بقراره بعدم التوقيع على التقرير الطبي، وهذا ما سيسبب أضرار جسيمة للنادي مالياً ورياضياً.

ويعتقد نادي برشلونة أنه من غير المنطقي أن يبقى تير شتيجن قائداً للبلوجرانا حتى لو لدقيقة واحدة، والذي سيلقي كلمة للجماهير الأحد المقبل في لقاء كأس خوان جامبر على ملعب يوهان كرويف.

The 27-year-old outperformed other contenders for the soon-to-be vacant opener’s job, in the tour game against Pakistan

AAP and ESPNcricinfo staff08-Dec-2023Matt Renshaw bolstered his chances of a Test recall with a controlled century in the tour game against Pakistan, adding more intrigue to the question of who replaces David Warner when he retires. The 27-year-old outperformed other contenders for the soon-to-be vacant Australia Test opener’s job with an unbeaten 136.The Prime Minister’s XI reached 367 for 4 in their first innings at stumps on days three at Manuka Oval, still 24 runs behind the tourists with the final day’s play almost certain to bring a draw.But Renshaw sealed honours in the so-called “bat-off” in this match among the leading Warner replacements, with openers Cameron Bancroft (53) and Marcus Harris (49) and allrounder Cameron Green (46) not making the most of their starts.He denied there was extra motivation for his classy knock, instead crediting his much-improved mindsight.”It’s just another game of cricket, all the other stuff takes care of itself,” Renshaw said. “Only a couple of years ago, I took a break from the game because of how much I was taking it seriously, that was a really big learning curve for me just to go ‘why am I playing this game’?”It’s not to play for Australia, obviously I want to and that’s the goal but at the end of the day, I’m going to try and enjoy myself.”Renshaw, who has played 14 Tests, adds Friday’s century to 348 Sheffield Shield runs this season at an average of 32, while Warner has previously endorsed him as the leading contender for his job.Outside of a 10-minute period where he hoisted Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed for two fours and a huge six, Renshaw played a particularly defensive innings at No. 3 that featured 337 balls. He did have a couple of moments of fortune when he survived a huge appeal for a gloved pull and later edged between the keeper and slip.”It was taking a lot out of me to keep grinding down,” he said. “There were some times where I felt like I couldn’t get the ball off the square.”My game has been transitioning really well this season [from] a couple of little conversations with batting coaches and myself just to work out what I’m trying to do.”Green played some nice shots early, but reached at a wide Faheem Ashraf delivery and was caught behind just as a big score beckoned. He could still play a part in replacing Warner when the opener retires after the Pakistan series, if any of Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh or Travis Head are moved up to open for the Test team.Bancroft perhaps entered the “bat-off” in pole position as the Shield’s top run-scorer this season, while Harris has regularly travelled with the Australian side as the spare batter.Spectators at Manuka Oval perhaps were given a preview of a future Australian leader, with 24-year-old Nathan McSweeney playing some exquisite square drives on the way to his 40. A brilliant diving catch from Mir Hamza denied him the chance for a statement score. McSweeney, who is captaining the PM’s XI, has been earmarked as a future leader after skippering Australia A earlier this year.Beau Webster slugged a monster six that was caught by a youngster in the crowd, a rare highlight in a dull late session.Pakistan had rested first-choice pace bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali and Mohammad Wasim, and spinner Abrar exited the tour match on Friday nursing what appeared to be an injured calf muscle.If they want a specialist spinner in Perth, they may need to pick 37-year-old Noman Ali who also sat out the tour match.

Jordan Henderson has opened up on his departure from Ajax after the Dutch club mutually agreed to terminate his contract, allowing the former Liverpool captain to return to the Premier League with Brentford. In a heartfelt message, Henderson reflected on his 'immense pride' in representing Ajax, thanking fans and teammates for their support during a turbulent 18 months.

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• Henderson signs for Brentford after Ajax contract terminated
• Ex-Liverpool captain reflects on "immense pride" at Ajax
• Midfielder expected to lead Brentford through transition season

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Henderson’s stint at Ajax has officially come to an end after the Eredivisie giants agreed to terminate his contract. The England midfielder is now set to return to the Premier League after brief spells in Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands. Henderson described his Ajax chapter as one filled with both challenges and pride.

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  WHAT HENDERSON SAID

  On Instagram, Henderson wrote: "I’ll always look back on these last 18 months with immense pride.

  "When I first arrived at Ajax, I instantly felt the stature and history of the club. Despite knowing they were going through a difficult period, it was obvious that Ajax is special — true European royalty, synonymous with playing football a certain way. That identity and those values will always endure.

  "My first six months were challenging in many ways. Nevertheless, we managed to secure European football, which was vitally important. A new chapter began with the arrival of Mr Farioli and his staff, and from that point on, I could feel and see the strength of the team growing week by week. To be challenging for the title until the final day, and to secure Champions League football — I don’t think anyone would have expected that before a ball was kicked last season.

  "Unfortunately, we didn’t quite get over the line with the title, but I felt we achieved so much together. That was evident after the final game of the season — the whole stadium stayed to applaud and sing to the players and staff on the pitch. That was the moment I realised what we had achieved together, and how special our journey had been. Together.

  "Most importantly, we gave our incredible fans something to cheer for — something to get excited by. We gave supporters the chance to see the team they love giving everything on the pitch. That feeling is something I’ll always remember and take with me forever.

  "Thank you to the players, staff, fans, and everyone connected with Ajax. It was an honour to captain your club. I hope you could see that I gave everything every time I stepped onto the pitch. I’ll miss being with this group of players day to day, but I’ll always be watching and supporting them from afar.

  "I wish you all the very best of luck for the future, and I hope that this season John and the boys can go one step further. They deserve it — and so do the fans. Success will return, and soon.

  "I look forward to coming back with my family to the Arena in the future, as supporters ourselves. Ajax will always hold a special place in our hearts."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The 34-year-old Liverpool legend is now set to move to Brentford as part of a broader rebuild at the London club following the exits of Thomas Frank and Christian Norgaard, and the potential departures of Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo. Henderson’s leadership and experience are seen as crucial assets in a transitional season.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR HENDERSON?

  The former Liverpool star will link up with Brentford’s new head coach, Keith Andrews, as the Bees prepare for the 2025/26 campaign. He’s expected to play a leading role both on and off the pitch as the club looks to stabilise and push for a top-half finish. Meanwhile, Ajax fans will watch closely to see if Henderson’s prediction of a swift return to success comes true.

MatériaMais Notícias

Nesta quinta-feira, o Vasco pode sacramentar o retorno para a elite do futebol brasileiro. O Cruz-Maltino enfrenta o Sampaio Corrêa, às 21h45, em São Januário, pela 37ª rodada da Série B. Se vencer, garante o acesso matemático.

RelacionadasVascoCrias do Vasco destacam campanha na Série B e revelam ansiedade pelo acessoVasco26/10/2022Futebol NacionalProcesso de concessão do Maracanã é suspenso pelo Tribunal de Contas do Estado do RioFutebol Nacional26/10/2022VascoApesar das críticas, Série B atual do Vasco é semelhante às edições de 2014 e 2016Vasco25/10/2022

O Vasco terá o mesmo time que começou a partida contra o Criciúma, no último sábado, também em São Januário. Jorginho não vai poder contar com Raniel e Luiz Henrique, que estão suspensos preventivamente pelo STJD. Ambos foram expulsos na partida contra o Sport e denunciados pela procuradoria do tribunal.

+ Reta final da Série B; confira como estão os times na classificação

Já o Sampaio Corrêa terá o desfalque do goleiro Luiz Daniel, que se recupera de uma pancada no rosto. Matheus Inácio será o substituto. O técnico Léo Condé possui duas dúvidas, uma na defesa, outra no ataque, devido aos retornos de Paulo Sérgio e Pimentinha.

O Cruz-Maltino é o 3º colocado da Série B, com 59 pontos, enquanto o Sampaio Corrêa soma 52 e está na 8ª posição.

FICHA TÉCNICA
VASCO X SAMPAIO CORRÊA
Local: São Januário, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
Data e hora:Quinta-feira (27/10), às 21h45 (de Brasília)
Árbitro: Jean Pierre Goncalves Lima (RS)
Assistentes: Jose Eduardo Calza (RS) e Michael Stanislau (RS)
VAR: Daniel Nobre Bins (RS-Fifa)
Onde assistir:Globo, Premiere e em tempo real no LANCE!/Voz do Esporte.

VASCO (Técnico: Jorginho)
Thiago Rodrigues; Léo Matos, Anderson Conceição, Danilo Boza e Edimar; Yuri Lara, Andrey Santos, Marlon Gomes, Alex Teixeira e Figueiredo; Eguinaldo.

​Desfalques:Luiz Henrique e Raniel (suspensos); Riquelme e Gabriel Dias (lesionados).
Pendurados: Thiago Rodrigues, Anderson Conceição, Danilo Boza, Quintero, Edimar, Matheus Barbosa, Andrey Santos, Nenê e Eguinaldo.

SAMPAIO CORRÊA (Técnico: Léo Condé)
Matheus Inácio; Mateusinho, Alan Godói, Joécio (Paulo Sérgio) e Pará; André Luiz, Ferreira e Rafael Vila; Nádson (Lucas Araújo/Eloir/Pimentinha), Gabriel Poveda e Ygor Catatau.

Desfalques: Luiz Daniel (lesionado).
Pendurados:Alan Godói, Ferreira, Pará, Gabriel Poveda e Renatinho

Viktor Gyokeres believes he is one of football's top strikers, saying he sits at the 'same table' as Harry Kane, Robert Lewandowksi and Erling Haaland.

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Striker was speaking exclusively with L'equipeGyokeres: "You haven't seen the best of me yet"Transfer saga with Arsenal rumbles onFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Sporting CP transfer recently sat down for an exclusive interview with . Towards the end of the interview, Gyokeres was asked where he would rank himself in the pantheon of great strikers operating in the sport today. The 27-year-old said he belonged at the very top, alongside Kane, Lewandowski and Haaland.

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Gyokeres is currently embroiled in the longest-running transfer saga of the summer. He is reportedly considering sitting out Sporting's pre-season plans to force a move to Arsenal. The two clubs have not reached an agreement over a transfer fee, with Sporting asking for at least £70m ($85m) to part company with the 27-year-old. In the same interview, Gyokeres revealed he is excited to return to English football and finally have his shot at the Premier League. While on the books at Brighton, the Swede never made a first-team appearance, while all 110 of his games for Coventry City were played in the Championship.

WHAT GYOKERES SAID

Gyokeres was asked where he would currently rank himself alongside Kane, Lewandowski and Haaland. He said, "I'm definitely one of them. It's hard to classify me, but yes, I'm at the same table as them now. They are extraordinary players, at the top level for many years, who have proven much more than I have.

"For my part, I have to show that I am capable of maintaining these performances season after season. What I managed to do at Sporting, I am convinced I can achieve anywhere. You haven't seen the best Gyökeres yet."

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR GYOKERES?

With Sporting reporting for pre-season training in the next couple of days, we will see how hard Gyokeres is pushing for his desired transfer. Although it has been reported that the Swede may once again entertain offers from Manchester United, all signs suggest he is committed to a move to north London.

Christian Mosquera has reportedly made his intentions clear to Valencia that he wants to join Arsenal. The Spanish centre-back has already agreed personal terms with the Gunners, as per earlier reports, and a new round of talks is scheduled for next week between the two clubs as Mikel Arteta's side aim to finalise a summer deal for the highly rated 19-year-old.

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Mosquera tells Valencia he wants Arsenal moveGunners to reopen talks with €20m bid plannedDefender agreed personal terms weeks agoFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Per , Mosquera has informed Valencia he does not plan to renew his contract and has his heart set on a move to Arsenal. The Gunners have had two bids rejected so far, with the most recent one worth €15 million (£12.9 million/$17.6 million), but are preparing to return to the table. With personal terms already agreed, only a transfer fee remains to be settled as Valencia rate their centre-back at €20 million (£17.3 million/$23.3 million).

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Mosquera’s current deal expires in under a year and Valencia are resigned to losing the talented Spaniard this summer. Arsenal and Arteta see the 19-year-old as both a long-term option and quality backup for William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes. Talks are reportedly progressing well, with Arsenal ready to meet Valencia's €20m valuation.

TELL ME MORE

The Gunners have been tracking Mosquera for weeks and accelerated their pursuit after the defender rejected Valencia's contract offer. Mosquera's decision not to renew his contract now gives Arsenal the upper hand in negotiations heading into next week.

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(C)Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR MOSQUERA?

Arsenal are now expected to table an improved bid closer to Valencia’s asking price. Talks between the two clubs are set to resume next week, with a deal considered likely. If successful, Mosquera would become the Gunners’ fifth summer signing.

Bangladesh fold for 100 in pursuit of 317 in series decider

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Dec-2023

South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits forged a record-breaking partnership to give their side a series victory in Benoni. After losing the first ODI by 119 runs, South Africa bounced back strongly to end 2023 on a high.After opting to bat on Saturday in Benoni, Wolvaardt struck up a 243-run stand for the first wicket with Brits, the highest for South Africa in Women’s ODIs. South Africa finished with 316 for 4 – their third-highest total in Women’s ODIs. In response, Bangladesh folded for 100 in 31.1 overs.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Wolvaardt notched up her fifth ODI century – and second this year – while Brits got to her first ton in the format. The pair looked good for more but Marufa Akter separated South Africa’s openers when she bowled Wolvaardt for 126 off 134 balls in the 43rd over. In the next over, Ritu Moni had Brits stumped for 118 off 124 balls, before Anneke Bosch (28* off 19) and Sune Luus (34 off 17) provided the final flourish, powering the hosts to a formidable total.Rabeya was the pick of the bowlers for Bangladesh, coming away with 2 for 49 in her ten overs. Bangladesh, though, never really got going in the chase, with Moni being the only batter to pass 20. She top-scored for them with 33 off 67 balls, including four fours.Marizanne Kapp struck twice in the first powerplay before she injured her ankle in the 11th over. Having stepped on a sprinkler cover at midwicket, she didn’t return to the field. Ayabonga Khaka and Nadine de Klerk shared six wickets between them to hasten Bangladesh’s collapse. Bangladesh left 18.5 overs unused in their innings, suffering a 216-run defeat.

The board meeting is set to be held on Tuesday, in Ahmedabad, two days after the 2023 ODI World Cup final

Tristan Lavalette17-Nov-2023Sri Lanka Cricket’s suspension, the future of ODI cricket and a revival of a high-performance programme aimed at the top Associates and some Full Members are all set to be on the agenda at the upcoming ICC board meeting in Ahmedabad.The quarterly meetings, the last of the year, begin on Saturday with various committees before the ICC board meeting set for Tuesday, two days after the 2023 ODI World Cup final. While some of the big-ticket items have been effectively finalised, such as the revenue distribution model for the 2024-27 cycle of events and cricket’s entry into the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, there remain a number of talking points.Sri Lanka Cricket’s board suspensionSLC’s suspension last week is set to dominate the ICC board meeting. Possible conditions over the suspension will be debated as well as whether Sri Lanka continue to remain hosts of the men’s under-19 World Cup in January and February.The ICC’s deputy chair Imran Khwaja is likely to be an influential voice having been engaged to look into potential political interference for a while. He investigated the matter in May during a fact-finding mission to Sri Lanka.Related

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Qualification pathway for 14-team 2027 men's ODI World Cup approved

The future of ODI cricketTwo days after the ODI World Cup final, possible discussions around the future of the 50-overs format are on the cards. There will be at least two boards pushing for the revival of the recently-scrapped 13-team ODI Super League. With a new qualification pathway already approved for a 14-team 2027 men’s ODI World Cup, the Super League, if it does return, could only do so from 2028.Zimbabwe – co-hosts of the 2027 ODI World Cup along with South Africa and Namibia – are advocating for an analysis to be conducted over the current World Cup to gauge its global popularity.”This World Cup came at the same time as the rugby World Cup, so it would be a good opportunity to compare the audience and measure our global impact as a sport,” Zimbabwe Cricket chair Tavengwa Mukuhlani said.”It felt like the Rugby World Cup was more popular, especially in countries where both sports are popular. I don’t think the problem is with the ODI format… there aren’t enough teams in the World Cup, even 14 isn’t enough. And there won’t be context without the Super League.”We need ODI cricket, we can’t afford to not have it. It is still a money-maker for us and many countries.”High-performance programme revivalThe ICC’s high-performance programme is set for a revival, having been scrapped late last decade, after running for 15 years. The programme was aimed at top Associate nations and included player development pathways and specialised administrative structures to help professionalise those deemed close to Full Member status.The new programme, in a point of difference, will involve Full Members Ireland, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and possibly others. It has been resurrected as the ICC look to establish development programmes through funds from its next four-year commercial cycle. Funding from the programme is hoped to encourage more fixtures between these countries, including A tours and women’s cricket matches.An as yet unspecified amount has been mooted, taken from the ICC’s overall revenues, to be divided among these boards. But specific details, including the countries involved and total funding allocated, will be revealed at the meeting.Cricket has been included in the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028•AFP via Getty ImagesFunding from revenue distribution model set aside to create reservesSome of the funds allocated to members in the new distribution model will be diverted into a retained surplus fund totalling US$100 million a year, which will be invested and distributed back to members at a later time.The interest accrued will be distributed according to the contribution by the member in what is seen as a prudent financial measure with uncertainty over what type of media rights deal will be struck for the cycle of 2028-31. Full Members will contribute US$ 88.8 million to this fund – of which the BCCI will put US$ 38.5 million – annually and the Associates US$11.2 million.But not everyone is satisfied with the arrangement. With plans to build a cricket stadium in Dublin, Ireland want to receive its full US$18 million a year allocation. Around US$3 million a year of their funding is earmarked for the surplus fund and so too Afghanistan and Zimbabwe.”We need funding to do that [build infrastructure],” Cricket Ireland high-performance director Richard Holdsworth said. “To withhold what it looks like to be about US$12 million over four years….maybe that’s for the members to make the right decisions as to whether they stick money into reserves or spend it all now.”For us, we’ve got a lot of things to invest in and we need to do that now. We can’t wait four years.”Cricket at the OlympicsAfter returning to the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games recently, T20 cricket was last month officially confirmed as an Olympic sport for the 2028 Los Angeles Games. The board will formalise cricket’s inclusion and there is expected to be discussion over possible qualification pathways.Some boards hope that more than six teams per gender can be included in subsequent Olympics after Los Angeles.

Whoever said “don’t answer back” had never been overlooked for a big pay cheque, or found the belligerence of Phil Salt. Responding to his IPL auction snub and resuming where his unbeaten century in the third match had kept England alive in this series, Salt thrashed a 57-ball 119 to set West Indies an eye-watering target of 268 if they wanted to end it now. They couldn’t, falling to a 75-run defeat in Taruouba as England drew level at 2-2, setting up a decider at the same ground on Thursday.After losing the toss and admitting he would have liked to chase too, England captain Jos Buttler combined with Salt for a second century opening stand in a row to set England off towards 267 for 3, the second-highest score by a Full Member nation in T20Is. Salt reached his century off just 48 balls en route to England’s highest individual T20I score. He found willing partners after Buttler fell for 55 in Will Jacks and Liam Livingstone, who reached an unbeaten half-century.In an entertaining match yielding 33 sixes, the third-most in men’s T20Is, Andre Russell scored five of them and Nicholas Pooran four but even combined they couldn’t better Salt’s 10. Their side was bowled out inside 16 overs, with Reece Topley taking three wickets and Sam Curran and Rehan Ahmed two apiece.

England’s opening salvo

England milked 12 runs off T20I debutant Matthew Forde in the first over. All but one of them went to Salt, who cleared the rope at long-on and followed that immediately with a drive through mid-off for four. Buttler joined in with a superb reverse-swept six off Akeal Hosein then a sweep for four next ball before Forde conceded 22 runs off the fifth over so that by the end of the powerplay England were flying at 68 without loss.It compounded West Indies’ bowling woes in the powerplay. They have taken only one wicket inside the first six overs of England’s innings so far this series, with Salt and Buttler racking up opening stands of 77, 9, 115 and 117. Salt brought up his fifty off just 23 balls with back-to-back fours off Russell. Of all England’s power hitting during their union, Buttler’s effortless 83-metre six over extra cover off Gudakesh Motie looked like being the shot of the day until it was followed straight away by another maximum, despatched even deeper into the stands at long-on to bring up his half-century off 26 deliveries. Buttler perished a short time later when he picked out Rovman Powell at long-on off the bowling of Jason Holder but he had helped put his side in an excellent position after 9.5 overs.

Salt the seasoned centurion

Salt picked up where he left off with an unbeaten 109 off 56 balls in the previous game, and then some. After Buttler went, Salt simply carried on, launching three sixes in a row off the start of Sherfane Rutherford’s solitary over. Jacks kept tempo with his partner, taking England past the 150-mark with a reverse sweep for four and nonchalant six over backward square leg off Hosein as he and Salt muscled their stand to 55 off just 19 balls. It ended on 56 just three balls later when Jacks was pinned lbw by Hosein after a nine-ball 24. When Salt brought up his century he tore off his helmet and launched a scream skywards, becoming only the second man from a Full Member nation – and third in all – to register back-to-back hundreds in T20Is.As if West Indies’ early bowling troubles weren’t enough, their death bowling has also been a problem and, as Livingstone met Forde with a triumvirate of sixes in the 18th over, that hadn’t changed. It took Russell nailing his yorker with a hint of reverse swing to remove Salt, bowled through his legs as he tried to slog-sweep, but not before he had taken England past their previous best total in the format of 241 for 3, scored against New Zealand in 2019. Livingstone pounced on a Holder full toss to reach what was only his second 50-plus score in 37 T20Is with a swept four through square leg and he rubbed it in when Holder’s yorker flew off his outside edge through third man for one more boundary.

Hits keep coming

Brandon King was reportedly taken for X-rays after being struck on the knee by the ball while fielding early in England’s innings, but he reappeared to open the batting only to fall first ball to an understandably attacking mindset. Looking to cut a Moeen Ali delivery, he managed only a top edge which found the hands of a leaping Topley at short third. Pooran proceeded to smash 20 off the last four balls of the over, culminating in a mammoth 93m six over deep midwicket. Topley conceded 12 runs off the next over before he had Kyle Mayers held second grab at midwicket by Chris Woakes, who had woken to the news that he’d been picked up by Punjab Kings in the IPL auction. Woakes was then smashed for 16 runs off three balls at the end of his first over, Pooran dishing out some Jacks-style hitting at No. 3 as West Indies raced to 58 for 2 after just four overs. But Pooran fell for an impressive 39 off 15 when Harry Brook took a wonderful catch, running in from long-on and diving forwards to hold on to one struck high in the air off Curran.Salt and Buttler teamed up in more ways than one, with the former taking the wicketkeeping gloves to give his captain “a different perspective from the field”, Buttler later told broadcasters. Salt stayed in the action with a simple catch to remove Shai Hope off Woakes. By the end of the powerplay, West Indies were 87 for 4 with Rutherford looking set to let loose. He did with three consecutive fours in Rehan’s first over to take West Indies to the 100-mark in the seventh.

Task too tall

Adil Rashid entered the attack in the eighth over and his fifth ball accounted for Powell, a peach that deceived the West Indies skipper and crashed into off stump. Rehan saw two balls in three sent over the fence at deep midwicket, first by Russell, then Rutherford. But Rehan responded with two wickets in as many deliveries, Rutherford lbw and Holder caught by Jacks at deep midwicket for a first-ball duck. By the halfway point of the innings, West Indies were seven down.England returned to seam with Curran removing Hosein and Buttler, fielding at cover, taking a simple catch off the bowling of Topley to dismiss Forde, who had made his international debut when West Indies sealed a 2-1 victory in the ODI leg of England’s visit. Russell maintained his defiance, smashing a 108-metre six off Topley to move within one boundary of his fifty and passing the mark when Brook misfielded just inside the rope at long-off but when he holed out to Brook next ball, it was all over.