5th over: West Indies 20-0 (Gayle 7, Lewis 13) Mujeeb is cut for four by Lewis, a beautifully played shot. He’s had a frustrating World Cup, mainly because of injury: his scores have been 1, 2, 70, 0 and 13*.
4th over: West Indies 15-0 (Gayle 7, Lewis 8) A typical Gayle over: dot, dot, dot, four, dot, dot.
“I think that South Africa vs Australia is going to be a huge deal from England’s point of view,” says Don Wilson. “If we’re going to win this thing, we’re going to have to beat both India and Australia. As it stands we will have to play India at Edgbaston and hopefully Australia at Lord’s. I feel our chances would be better if that situation were reversed. Hence, for once in my life I will be rooting for a Saffer victory.”
Agreed. Which is why Australia will beat South Africa with ease. And as you were re: Bangladesh batting first, I understand it now. I knew GCSE maths would come in handy one day.
3rd over: West Indies 11-0 (Gayle 3, Lewis 8) Apologies, we’re having a few technical problems. Lewis, who has started aggressively, clatters Mujeeb to the cover boundary.
In other news, can anyone explain why Pakistan are definitely out if Bangladesh bat first tomorrow? I sort of get it, except I don’t. I only got a B at GCSE maths.
2nd over: West Indies 6-0 (Gayle 2, Lewis 4) It’s the right-arm seamer Dawlat Zadran from the other end, and Lewis gets off the mark by working a boundary to fine leg.
1st over: West Indies 1-0 (Gayle 1, Lewis 0) The mystery offspinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman will, as usual, take the new ball. It’s a good over to Gayle, who has a few sighters before taking a slow single off the last delivery.
“I don’t think we need any more talk of ‘dead rubbers’,” writes
Barry Hearn
“A final hammering for South Africa by Australia would prompt some serious discussion at Cricket South Africa about funding and international wages. Another India win against Sri Lanka could see them once again overtake England in the ICC rankings [it wouldn’t – ed, but a win in the semi-final would]. A Bangladesh victory over Pakistan would cement their place as a modern-day force of the subcontinent. And as you mention in the preamble, an Afghanistan win today would be an historic upset to be talked about for years to come. I also got great odds on an Afghanistan win today so that will keep me entertained if nothing else!”
The teams
Afghanistan Gulbadin (c), Rahman, Ikram, Afghan, Nabi, Najibullah, Shinwari, Rashid, Mujeeb, Dawlat, Shirzad.
West Indies Gayle, Lewis, Hope (wk), Hetmyer, Pooran, Holder (c), Brathwaite, Allen, Roach, Cottrell, Thomas.
West Indies have won the toss and will bat first
No surprise there: they’ve often been a shambles when batting second. Gulbadin Naib says he would also have batted first.
Preamble
Morning and welcome to live coverage of Afghanistan v West Indies from Headingley. Let’s be honest, even Barry Hearn would struggle to sell this one. It’s tenth vs ninth, a Dodo-dead rubber. And yet, this could turn out to be one of the most memorable games of the tournament.
Afghanistan are chasing their first World Cup win against a fellow Test-playing nation. When that happens, be it today or in 2023, it will be a landmark in their development – one to sit alongside historic victories like Sri Lanka v India in 1979, Zimbabwe v Australia in 1983 and Bangladesh v Pakistan in 1999.
They should have beaten India and Pakistan in the last two weeks, so they must have a chance against a West Indies side who have seen off strong competition to claim the prize for the World Cup’s biggest letdown.
Afghanistan have a good ODI record against the Windies, too, with three wins in four completed games. That includes a drawn series in the Caribbean two years ago, when Rashid Khan took 10 for 44 in two matches, and two victories at last year’s World Cup Qualifier.
This is also Chris Gayle’s last World Cup appearance, and it might be his last for the West Indies. So there’s that, too. See, this sales lark is easy.
The match starts at 10.30am.
Updated