I’ve decided that I’m happy for England to throw the rest of the ODI series against the Windies if we get to see more of that wonderful celebration from Sheldon Cottrell each time he takes a wicket.
Cottrell, a private in the Jamaican army bowled his skiddy left-arm pace in such a way that he picked up 5-46 in the second match of the ODI series. Meaning we got to see his military salute celebration five times. It’s almost worth the Sky subscription in itself.
The Windies had set England 290 to go 2-0 up in the ODI series. Following a very stylish ton from Shimron Hetmyer who finished on 104 not out. The boy can bat.
Cottrell then pounded in removing Jonny Bairstow and Wednesday’s man-of-the-match Jason Roy early. Before returning to sort it all out again just as England look like they were going to chase it down.
After all, 290 is nothing. Especially if you compare to the 360 that England knock off at a canter in the first match.
It’s safe to say Roy made up for dropping Chris Gayle when he was in single figures. (The big-hitting opener eventually got going to smack a glorious ton). By plundering the ball over the ropes several times himself in his own magnificent century. Joe Root, who always looks so fresh when not weighed down by the Test captaincy, got to three figures as well. As England, momentarily, looked unbeatable.
Any thoughts of this ODI series being one-way traffic can be put on the shelf. And by the time you read this, there is every chance you’ll know the outcome of the third instalment.
With the World Cup starting in just under 100 days now, England seem to be in a position where all bar one position in the squad is nailed down. With Jofra Archer being available once this Windies series is over, will England gamble on bringing in another man who can whiz it down at 90+ mph. Or bring him in after the tournament?
Archer hasn’t actually played much 50 over stuff. He is very much a T20 travelling nomad. But he is very, very rapid and would be a very interesting option in Eoin Morgan’s squad.
If England do consider him as viable, that has to put the likes of David Willey, Tom Curran and maybe even fellow paceman Mark Wood under threat. Joe Denly is out there on this tour. But he can’t really be part of the World Cup squad, can he?
As Mark Butcher, a TV analyst that is growing on me says, maybe you can’t put Archer in the XI immediately. But having that kind of option in the squad could be the extra sauce England need.
Batting wise, England fire more often than not and there shouldn’t be too much concern about Friday’s failure to chase. Mind you, if it happens again on Monday…
