Morgan: Vince and Moeen are in. The wicket looks really good, with the weather that’s been around everyone at OT has done a magnificent job getting things ready.
Gulbadin Naib also wanted to bat, calling this an “Asian condition wicket”. They have made three changes, dropping Hazratullah Zazai, Hamid Hassan and Aftab Alam, with Najibullah Zadran, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Dawlat Zadran coming in. “Slightly disappointed with the batting, guys are trying to do well and put a good total on the board,” adds Naib, who according to the team sheet will be opening alongside Noor Ali Zadran! Afghanistan rolling the dice here, it seems.
Watch Afg v Eng cricket highlights videos today – 24th match, ICC Cricket World Cup from Old Trafford, Manchester (England) Tuesday, 18-6-2019.
England win the toss and will bat first.
Afghanistan team
1 Noor Ali Zadran, 2 Gulbadin Naib (capt), 3 Rahmat Shah, 4 Hashmatullah Shahidi, 5 Asghar Afghan, 6 Najibullah Zadran, 7 Mohammad Nabi, 8 Ikram Alikhil (wk), 9 Rashid Khan, 10 Mujeeb Ur Rahman, 11 Dawlat Zadran.
England team
1 Jonny Bairstow, 2 James Vince, 3 Joe Root, 4 Eoin Morgan (capt), 5 Ben Stokes, 6 Jos Buttler (wk), 7 Moeen Ali, 8 Chris Woakes, 9 Adil Rashid, 10 Jofra Archer, 11 Mark Wood.
England v Afghanistan Icc Cricket World Cup 2019 Highlights
ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Points Table
After the same strip served up 336 runs for India against Pakistan on Sunday, the straw colour of the surface augurs well for further big hitting, and the hint of footmarks augurs the return of two spinners to England’s attack. Judging by what he’d seen on Sunday, Morgan anticipated good carry for the quicks, allied to a bit of turn. The weather promises an overcast start and the potential for showers in the afternoon, and the eve of the game featured steady rain as well. Another bowl-first day would seem to be in prospect.
Roy’s absence has been confirmed after his hamstring tear against West Indies – he will miss the Sri Lanka match as well, with James Vince set to slot straight in at the top of the order. Morgan’s fitness was also under a cloud after he suffered a back spasm, but he was moving freely in the nets on the eve of the game and may yet feature. Liam Plunkett missed training with a stomach complaint but is not thought to be a serious concern.
After his unexpected absence against South Africa, Najibullah seems sure to slot back into Afghanistan’s middle order … though who knows what the management is thinking at present. Asghar Afghan didn’t exactly justify his recall with a five-ball duck against South Africa and may be the man to make way once again. The prospect of spin may bring Mujeeb Ur Rahman back into the reckoning.
Match Timings: 10.30 start, First Session 10.30-14.00 Interval 14.00-14.30, Second Session 14.30-18.00
Umpires – Paul Reiffel, Joel Wilson
TV Umpires – Marais Erasmus
Match Referee – Ranjan Madugalle
Reserve Umpire – Bruce Oxenford
Match number – ODI no. 4163
