Key events
WICKET! Ravindra b Azmatullah 32 (New Zealand 109-1)
Even poetry is crap more often than it’s good and Ravindra won’t want to see this again, hoiking fresh air over the square-leg fence as a length ball rattles his timber.
21st over: New Zealand 109-1 (Young 54, Ravindra 32) Azmatullah into the attack; he avoids beginning the over with a boundary ceded.
20th over: New Zealand 109-1 (Young 54, Ravindra 32) What I like about Ravindra is his composure and all-purposeness: he’s not remotely fazed by any situation, and doesn’t spray the heavy artillery unless it’s necessary – he’s got hands and wrists too. This time, Rashid opens his over with a wide – he’s got to sort that discipline, and soon – then two to midwicket and one to mid on complete the scoring for the over. It’s been a while since Afghanistan threatened a wicket; the partnership is 79 off 82.
“I beleive Deepak Puri (or rather his father) is probably referring to food from the north of the subcontinent not all of South Asia,” writes Rishabh. “But other than that I agree with him. Perpetual lurker, first-time messager. Really enjoy the OBO!”
On which point, another recommendation with apologies for those not in London: I’m told the chops in the Lahore Kebab House, found in Stepney Green, are sensational and unmissable.
19th over: New Zealand 105-1 (Young 54, Ravindra 29) We see footage of Netherlands beating South Africa, and what a buzz that was. What we’re seeing, I think, is what we’re seeing in football too – there are more good players knocking about than ever before, so everyone has them – and in cricket, you can’t just chuck on expensive and talented subs until you win anyway. Meantime, another over opens with a boundary, the ravishing Ravindra ramming over cover for four and raising his team’s hunnert in the process, then two singles and a leg bye follow; Afghanistan need a wicket, like the sunshine.
18th over: New Zealand 98-1 (Young 54, Ravindra 23) Again, Rashid begins with a four-ball, Young thrashing a cut through backward point for a boundary and a very fine fifty – off 57 deliveries. Two singles follow and the rate is climbing, now at 5.44.
17th over: New Zealand 92-1 (Young 49, Ravindra 22) Naveen continues and I daresay Hashmatullah wants him racing through as many cheap overs as possible. And he’s doing a decent job, ceding four from five, as Watto explains that Nabi is so difficult to face because his arm-speed stays the same regardless of the pace on the ball. But then Ravindra, who’s just taken two to midwicket, absolutely cleanses – chleanses, even – a drive, in the air and to the right of a flying extra for four. His poise at the crease is terrifying.
“It’s looking increasingly likely that the final will be between Netherlands and Afghanistan,” notes Kim Thonger, “and in that circumstance, how does one choose between two underdogs? I’m inclined to cheer for the Netherlands purely on the basis of their orange clothing, which will clash marvellously with the flushed faces of all the embarrassed supporters of Tier 1 nations, who booked their hospitality packages months ago.”
16th over: New Zealand 84-1 (Young 48, Ravindra 15) Rashid Khan into the attack, which signals a key period of the match; if he can’t make something happen, his team are struggling. And his loosener is poor, short and wide, so Young cuts hard and Farooqi misses with his dive at short third. He’s hurt too, I daresay pride more than body, so we take drinks while he’s treated then five dots follow; decent comeback from the bowler.
“My Indian father is one of the best cooks of Indian food on the planet,” writes Deepak Puri. “I’m maybe bigging him up a tad, but only a tad and he says Pakistan is the place to go if you want the best South Asian food. Not so sure it’s the best on the drinks front though.”
I guess this is reason enough to recommend two of my favourite dishes in London, both vegetarian: the aloo chat and beetroot chops pao at Gymkhana. More generally, if anyone’s got good lamb dhansak orr lamb biryani recipes, I’d be glad to meet them, because I tried making both a while ago, and totally disgraced them, myself and the human race.
15th over: New Zealand 80-1 (Young 44, Ravindra 15) Three singles, then Young, determined to take his chance in the absence of Williamson, prances down, turns a length ball into a slot ball, and demolishes another six over the bowler’s head. Ten off the over and NZ are turning it up; Afghanistan need something here.
“To paraphrase slightly,” writes Geoff Wignall, “surely shaving is an act of vanity in itself? (Personally, and like many others, I just take the hair clippers to my beard from time to time, without attachments and on minimum setting; more often in summer.)”
For me it’s an act of marriage preservation and comfort, but in general I’d say that it’s the beard which is seen as accoutrement and personality, not the face.
14th over: New Zealand 70-1 (Young 36, Ravindra 13) Naveen needs to send down a tight one here, Afghanistan can’t let NZ build momentum, and they’ll not be displeased with the five runs this over yields. But the “1” in the wickets column is a problem for them because it gives NZ scope to get into them later on and this partnership is already 40 off 45.
13th over: New Zealand 65-1 (Young 34, Ravindra 10) Ravindra looks to go big, down on one knee with the mow set to go, but he gloves it and they run one … then Young skips down to mash six over the bowler’s head! What a sound that made, so satisfying, and when he quickly gets down the other end, Ravindra invites himself to the party, twinkling down before his long levers dispatch six more over long on. Fifteen from the over, and NZ needed that.
12th over: New Zealand 50-1 (Young 27, Ravindra 2) Ravindra gets away off his 13th ball, one into the covers, then Young flicks to midwicket and they sprint two. Two more singles follow, and this is pretty old skool so far, NZ limiting risk to keep wicket in hand.
“A full beard keeps you warm in winter and soaks up the sweat in summer,” says John Starbuck who hasn’t shaved since 1969. “A small, Van Dyke style doesn’t do either but advertises you as a vain ‘un.”
Surely having a beard is itself an act of vanity? Also, sweat and hair doesn’t seem like a marriage I want consummated on my face when already hot and bothered, but guess I’m speaking out of relative ignorance and perhaps the experience is more affirming than I fear.
11th over: New Zealand 45-1 (Young 24, Ravindra 0) Nabi into the attack and Young takes a quick one into the on side, giving the bowler four balls at the still-scoreless Ravindra. He pinches a leg bye after the second, though – but with the rate now down to 4.09, Afghanistan will be relatively happy with where this match is at.
10th over: New Zealand 43-1 (Young 23, Ravindra 0) There was some dispute as to whether the drop was off a bump– words that only make sense in cricketing context, though perhaps we could stretch to DJing – but further replays show the ball went straight to hand. Anyhow, Naveen replaces Farooqi and Young turns him away behind square on the on side for a single, the only run off the over, and the longer Ravindra stays on nowt, the edgier he might get.
9th over: New Zealand 42-1 (Young 22, Ravindra 0) On the rope, we see Williamson rehearsing a shot, beard all over the show, so a question for beard-havers: is it not itchy and hot to walk about with a kitten on your face when it’s sunny like this? Back in the middle, Mujeeb drops wide and short so Young cuts him to the fence, then after a single, Ravindra, yet to score, stretches down, turns to square leg, and Hashmatulla dives … but mistimes his grab, directing ball into ground via wrist. That’s another dreadful error I’m afraid, and I fear it won’t go unpunished.
8th over: New Zealand 37-1 (Young 17, Ravindra 0) Afghanistan will know, though, that this is a partnership they must soon break if they’re to win here. And Farooqi almost diddles Young with the first ball of his fourth over, slanting it in and cramping the batter, who edges over the stumps … then collars a pull for four. Sport is brutal and we love it! A two follows, then a single, and this is really nicely balanced – but you sense it won’t take much for NZ to pull away.
7th over: New Zealand 30-1 (Young 10, Ravindra 0) I said Afghanistan needed that, not because NZ were getting away from them but because they were setting up the match while chances to set them back were getting missed. In comms, Smith was vocalising his surprise they didn’t bat and exert scoreboard pressure, which makes sense, but on the other hand, they’ve made three serious wicket-taking opportunities, so the call was, so far, a sound one; it’s just not been backed up with competence in the field.
WICKET! Conway lbw b Mujeeb 20 (New Zealand 30-1)
A bit of extra pace pinned Conway on the crease and I’m surprised this wasn’t giving out on pitch; the ball was smashing leg, and the batter knew it, starting the long trudge back as soon as he’d seen the first replay. Afghanistan needed that.
6th over: New Zealand 30-0 (Conway 20, Young 10) Gorgeous shot from Comway, floating back, rising onto tippy-toes and stroking four through cover. But then, after a dot, he spirits a quicker, straighter one into the pad that looks close, very close. The appeal is rejected, but Afghanistan review…
6th over: New Zealand 26-0 (Conway 16, Young 10) Conway flicks off the pads when Farooqi strays straight but only gets one off what was a four-ball. Young then takes a single into the on side, and this is a steady start from NZ.
5th over: New Zealand 23-0 (Conway 14, Young 9) What’s this new thing of interrupting an over with some kind of informative guff, as though it’s finished? Let’s watch the match, then impart colour-info at changeover, please. Anyway, three dots, then Young twinkles down to lift Mujeeb over his head for six, then two more dots, and Afghanistan could use something here.
4th over: New Zealand 17-0 (Conway 14, Young 3) A change at slip, Nabi in for Rahmat, while in comms, Shane Watson notes that when he fielded there, every catch felt like a goodun because they’re all difficult. Meantime, Young nudges to extra and sets off, Gurbaz running in … but he can’t pick up cleanly! If he had, that could well have been out, and perhaps the margins are going against Afghanistan today, a sense intensified when Conway steps down to one-hand a lovely drive through extra for four. New Zealand could be in trouble but instead they’re cruising.
3rd over: New Zealand 12-0 (Conway 10, Young 2) Mujeeb strays to leg and Conway doesn’t need asking twice, onto it in a trice and sending four racing down through finest leg. Two twos follow – Ian Smith notes the second of them was ambled, telling us it’s hot hot hot out there – then two singles. Ten off the over, and NZ will feel they’re away now.
2nd over: New Zealand 2-0 (Conway 1, Young 1) It’s pace from the other end with Farooqi, who also bowled nicely in Delhi. He runs in hard and sends down three pretty straight ones that come in, then finds a bit of extra bounce, persuading one to leave Young, who edges … and Rahmat drops a dolly at slip! He had to move left and turn hands a little, but he’s there to pouch those and didn’t, hard hands failing to accept a ball that came at them quickly. Maiden.
Meanwhile, talking of who’d win a cricketing nations food and drink-off, here’s Bazbaas.
1st over: New Zealand 2-0 (Conway 1, Young 1) Mujeeb bowled beautifully against England and he’s off to a good start here, opening with four dots – Conway tries cutting the second but misses. But a drive to mid on earns one, then Young turns around the corner for another – but the drift Mujeeb found won’t have been lost on him.
Righto, we’re good to go, Mujeeb with the ball.
Afghanistan’s comes to a decent crescendo but.
Anthem time. Can Italy start taking cricket seriously please.
Here come the teams…
Which cricketing nation has the best food and drink? Off the top of my head, I’m going for an India v West Indies final, but South Africa are also in the mix.
Devon Conway’s a decent footballer – I didn’t know that – and he chose cricket because the matches last longer. Smart rationale. And Rachin Ravindra’s a big fan of him as a bloke – it’s really sweet seeing what good mates they are.
I’m looking forward to seeing how Lockie Ferguson goes today. If he’s firing, he gives this side a different dimension and, as I type, Simon Doull says there might be enough pace in the track for NZ to go short. He also suggests that batting first is a decent option, and isn’t expecting much dew given the head of the day, which makes me wonder if Hashmatullah’s call to field was the right one; I thought he’d want to get in the match by setting a target, but I guess he trusts his bowlers to get their strangle on.
Which is to say that Afghanistan are unchanged, while New Zealand bring in Will Young for the injured Kane Williamson – who Latham hopes will be available later in the competition.
Teams!
Afghanistan: 1 Rahmanullah Gurbaz, 2 Ibrahim Zadran, 3 Rahmat Shah, 4 Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), 5 Azmatullah Omarzai, 6 Mohammad Nabi, 7 Ikram Alikhil (wk), 8 Rashid Khan, 9 Mujeeb Ur Rahman, 10 Naveen-ul-Haq, 11 Fazalhaq Farooqi.
New Zealand: 1 Devon Conway, 2 Will Young, 3 Rachin Ravindra, 4 Tom Latham (capt, wk), 5 Daryl Mitchell, 6 Glenn Phillips, 7 Mark Chapman, 8 Mitchell Santner, 9 Mark Henry, 10 Lockie Ferguson, 11 Trent Boult.
Tom Latham wasn’t sure what to do but intimates he’d have bowled too. However, he’s happy with the chance to set a target, wants his players to focus on themselves, and keep things simple.
Afghanistan win the toss and field!
Hashmatullah explains that the spin factor in the first dig and dew factor in the second motivated the tactic. But though they celebrated after beating England, that match is gone and now they need to win another.
It’s proper hot in Chennai today, so no risk of rain, and here comes the toss…
I mean obviously India are looking good, but it’s rare in any tournament to see the side that plays best in the group stages to go on and win it. I guess you’d back them to win home serieseseses against any of the sides in the competition, but once the semis get going – and really, I’m missing quarters – there’s no margin for error and lots of nails players able to alter the flow of a match.
Who’s going to win this competition, then? Adams, Adamly, Adamowlski, Adamson, Adler, Anderson…
Preamble
They couldn’t could they? Surely not … but they might!
On the face of things, Afghanistan’s undressing of England was up there with the biggest shocks in World Cup history, the holders defeated by a side from a war-torn land, playing in just their third such competition, operating on the tiniest of budgets.
The reality, though, is a little different. It’s true that England aren’t currently at it – both today’s teams know that – but it’s also the case that Afghanistan are a serious side, especially in subcontinental conditions. Rahmanullah Garbaz is an incendiary talent, while Hashmatullah Shahidi and Azmatullah Omarzai are also dangerous; if one or more of them hit today, we’ll be in for a game.
Moreover, while it’s true that England were put under pressure by Afghanistan’s batters, it was their bowlers who seized the match, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan taking eight wickets between them for an average economy-rate of 3.89. These boys can play, and with Chennai likely to offer them more assistance than did Delhi, they’ll be a proper threat here.
The problem they have is that New Zealand, on a run of seven straight wins, are the least flaky sports team that ever was, the chances of them having their pants pulled down almost zero. We can safely say that, whatever happens, Ian Smith will not be reporting “the barest of arses” eight hours hence.
Which is to say that if Afghanistan are going to win, they’ll have to take that victory for themselves – and New Zealand are beatable. Without Kane Williamson, their batting looks a little light, and on a track likely to give us a relatively low-scoring game, his absence could be a problem, with their attack solid rather than deadly. If Afghanistan can up the pressure, whether by competitive target or early wickets, this will be close.
Play: 3pm local, 9.30am BST
