17 hours ago
11
Key events
We’ve got ten minutes before play begins here at Lord’s. Enough time to have a read of these lovely tributes to the great Sir Garfield Sobers who passed away this week.
He was a cavalier in an era when there were so many roundheads on the international circuit. The great West Indies’ sides of his time not only won their fair share of games but they played with a joyous freedom rarely matched by their opponents and this was so often due to the presence of Sobers.
His century in the first innings of the famous tied Test in Brisbane in 1960 set the tone for that epic series. By the time he toured England for a second time in 1963, he was the linchpin of Frank Worrell’s side. When he returned in 1966 as captain, his own staggering performances ensured not just victory, but victory with style and grace.”
Teams:
India: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (c), Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Axar Patel, Gurnoor Brar, Prince Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna
England: Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Josh Tongue
Arshdeep Singh and Prince Yadav also return for India.
England win the toss and will bat first. No Bumrah for India!
Harry Brook gets the rub of the coin and decides to have first use of a custard cream coloured surface. Josh Tongue is back in for England and India have made three changes - the big news is Jasprit Bumrah is ruled out.
“Jasprit Bumrah had an impact injury on his left knee while fielding in the second ODI in Cardiff. He was not available for selection for the third ODI due to reactive swelling in his left knee.”
Preamble
Hello and welcome to THE DECIDER.
Lord’s is positively thronging this morning as India and England fans stream in on a sunny Sunday morning with this bilateral ODI series on the line. No seriously, this is a pivotal match for both sides. India are facing the very real prospect of heading home tail well and truly ensconced between legs without a series win on this tour of Ireland and England to their name.
Whisper it, but this could also be Rohit Sharma’s last ever ODI. There are rumblings, rumblings sir. Though the BCCI aren’t having any of that, dismissing any speculation the big man is about to hang up his bat.
England’s ODI powers have been on the wane over the last few years but a series win here for Harry Brook’s men would provide a welcome shot in the arm as they build up towards the World Cup next year.
Plenty to get stuck into then, the toss and teams are imminent and play starts at 11am. Join us!
