Main events
England loses the toss again
“A pleasant and beautiful evening here in Chennai,” says Ravi Shastri. Not for Jos Buttler, who fouled out for the second time out of two. Suryakumar Yadav has no hesitation in making England first again. “I would have liked to do the same thing,” says Butler, looking as gentle as ever. “Same game plan, just execute it better.”
Preamble
Afternoon everyone and welcome to the second match in the T20 series. The question is: Will it be the second mismatch? On Wednesday, at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Brendon McCullum’s New England capitulated to SKY’s New India, losing by seven overs.
Varun Chakravarthy, someone completely unknown outside India, has cracked England’s middle order with his own spectacles. Another lesser-known name, Abhishek Sharma, then helped himself to a 79 off 34 balls with eight sixes. McCullum’s big idea – to pick a line-up of pacemen – backfired as Jos Atkinson, Mark Wood and Jimmy Overton bowled 35 balls and took none for 73. Jofra Archer and Jos Buttler were both excellent, but we already knew that. Harry Brook, the new vice-captain, said afterwards that it was Smog that won it.
Today in Chennai the air should be clearer. We will see if the minds of the English fighters are as well. Most English teams that go to India end up being tortured by spinners. It’s just that they usually win the match first.
England have said Brydon Cars will come in for the red-faced Atkinson but are a doubt over Jacob Bethell, who could make way for Jimmy Smith. Play starts at 1.30pm GMT and I’ll be back just after 1pm with the draw and teams.
For England supporters, there is another embarrassment in Australia to think about. But at least you can enjoy Tanya Aldred’s form of phrase.