score and latest updates from the third T20
Good morning and welcome to the live broadcast of the third Bangladesh-England Twenty20 from Dhaka. This winter England have played a T20 series in Pakistan, the World Cup in Australia, bilateral ODIs against Australia in Australia, a Test series in Pakistan, ODIs and T20s in South Africa, a Test series in New Zealand and ODIs and T20s in Bangladesh. I was exhausted just reporting from London. God knows how the players must be feeling. Anyway, today they face the final curtain…until the IPL begins
The world champions are 2-0 down, which isn’t exactly unexpected given all the mitigating factors. Having won the world championship just five months ago, they’re in a completely different cycle, trying to prepare for their defense of the 50-over world championship by experimenting with top spots for their all-rounders Sam Curran and Moeen Ali. while the attractions of franchise cricket, the recently completed Test series in New Zealand and the limited number of central contracts available mean that many contenders for batting roles are elsewhere occupied.
Whilst it would be difficult to characterize this part of the tour as anything but a drag, there have been some achievements, most notably Jofra Archer’s form which should put a smile on the face of any cricket fanatic and not just England fans. The way he was used by Joe Root during the 2019/20 tour of New Zealand as a kind of turbo wagner, using a thoroughbred to pull the rag and bone cart, all but destroyed this generational talent. But England’s policy of wrapping him in cotton wool could still make him a viable three-format bowler, used in Tests for impact rather than the series as a whole.
While Archer ponders a bright future, Moeen could cut three to one in 2021. Moeen has already retired from Test cricket and although the over-50 World Cup in India this autumn is a clear priority, the 35-year-old has floated the idea of retiring from the format later.
“I don’t set myself many goals, but I want to play this World Cup, be a part of this World Cup and hopefully win this World Cup and then we’ll see,” he told talkSPORT 2 ahead of Tuesday’s series. End of T20 in Bangladesh.
“I’m not saying I will retire, or I’m not saying I won’t retire. Another seven or eight months at 35 is a lot. It might be a time where I think I’m done now and I might look up to Livingstone and Jacksy and I’m like, ‘You know what, my time’s up, I’d rather these guys get ready for the next World Cup make.
“I haven’t decided yet, but I have a kind of idea of what I want to try and do. It makes me really happy when I see players coming – whatever is best for us and the team and will make us champions, that’s more important and that’s really the bigger picture.”
Expanding on the appeal of continuing as a T20 specialist, Moeen added: “I think it’s more logical and just makes more sense. If I play well and play all franchise cricket – and play for England – I don’t see why not.
“Fifty overs gets harder as you get older, it’s not easy to play and it definitely makes sense for me to do it.” Rob Bagchi