After the meltdown by England’s footballers in Atlanta, the national mood was never going to be significantly improved by their cricketers. Nevertheless, a hard-fought four-wicket victory over India in Cardiff was a boost for Harry Brook’s side and set up a series decider at Lord’s on Sunday.
Not that they did it easily. Set just 234 on a curious surface on which the ball stopped at times and only the technicians prospered – Virat Kohli had earlier purred to 65 from 66 balls – they slipped to 94 for four inside the 20th over. But thanks to Joe Root’s classy unbeaten 99, a one-all scoreline was secured with 35 balls to spare.
