England captain Jos Buttler has praised Jonny Bairstow's "mature innings" after their impressive eight-wicket victory over West Indies at the T20 World Cup.
England successfully chased down their target of 181 with 15 balls to spare thanks to dominant batting from Phil Salt and Jonny Bairstow.
Salt scored 87 not out, including a 30-run over, while Bairstow's 48 not out saw them over the line after losing two wickets to get off to a winning start in the Super 8s.
After mixed results in the group stage, Buttler was pleased with the commanding performance of his team, praising the batters for their smart display.
"That was a really good performance from us," Buttler said at the post-match presentation. "We planned really well. We've been practising well and executed both with the bat and ball and deserved to win.
"I thought we bowled really well to restrict such a powerful batting line-up, such great six-hitters especially. [It was a] decent score, and you had to play well to chase it down.
"I thought we were very smart with the bat. Guys were very calculated when they took their options on. The Bairstow and Salt partnership was so good. Jonny came in with great intent and took the momentum straight back. Salty tucked in behind him for a bit and when he got that one big over, he broke the back of it.
"[Bairstow] is a class player, he has been for a really long time. That's what we decided to do, you just keep backing class players.
"He hasn't had many opportunities but today was an incredibly impressive innings. A really mature, senior player's innings. With a lot of power, he scored at a great gear when the game was just in the balance.
"A lot of people say you learn when you lose, but I truly believe you learn when you win as well. [It is] important to reflect on what we did well today. We had a good performance, put that to bed and focus on the next performance."
England's opening game was washed out against Scotland before they lost to Australia in the second, but back-to-back wins against Oman and Namibia were enough for them to qualify for the Super 8s.
Salt, on the back of his best run-tally in the tournament so far, is confident England have found their footing as they prepare to face South Africa on Friday.
"Tournament cricket, in my experience, is all about having the confidence and momentum at the same time - and having a little bit of luck here and there," Salt said.
"If we can just keep building on that game by game, we'll be in a pretty good spot."
Afghanistan claim South Africa scalp as Farooqi and Ghazanfar share seven wickets
Afghanistan took another giant step in ODI cricket after crushing South Africa in a six-wicket victory with 24 overs to spare on Wednesday.
Fazalhaq Farooqi led the way with figures of 4-35, ably supported by Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar's 3-20 and Rashid Khan taking 2-30, as Jonathan Trott's side bowled South Africa out for just 106 in Sharjah.
Wiaan Mulder offered some brief resistance with 52, though only three other Proteas batters managed double figures, and that underwhelming total left Afghanistan with a routine chase.
Though Bjorn Fortuin impressed with an economical 2-22, Azmatullah Omarzai's unbeaten 25 and Gulbadin Naib finishing 34 not out helped Afghanistan to their first-ever win over South Africa with ease.
Data Debrief: ODI world takes note
This victory marked a maiden win for Afghanistan over South Africa and their third-biggest victory in terms of balls to spare against a Test-playing nation.
It comes as no surprise, though, as Afghanistan have beaten England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Australia in white-ball internationals in the last 11 months.
A transformative period under coach Trott has been underpinned by star Khan, though it was team-mates Farooqi and Ghazanfar who impressed here.
Indeed, Ghazanfar bowled 47 dot balls from his 10-over spell, removing Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne and Jason Smith, while Farooqi provided a dominant opening up top against a poor Proteas.
Windies legend Brian Lara fancies TKR's chances to lift fifth CPL title
West Indies legend Brian Lara believes Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) can justify favouritism in this year's Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 tournament provided the team’s pedigree and cohesiveness stand out among their rivals.
Lara’s views came during the launch of his book on Tuesday and ahead of the Trinbago Knight Riders’ almighty clash with reigning champions Guyana Amazon Warriors at the Queen's Park Oval on Wednesday.
While noting that the Twin Island Republic’s franchise boasts a deep squad of high-quality players, which makes them favourites, Lara pointed out that it is their performances that will account for whether or not they take home the title this season.
“I think obviously TKR will stand up as favourites every time,” Lara declared.
“When you look at the quality of players in the team, you would think they should go on to win. But again, in the past, we've seen the team that plays better win. It's not how many superstars you have,” he added.
With three wins and one loss so far this campaign, Trinbago Knight Riders currently sit fourth on six points, four points behind leaders Barbados Royals, who have played two games more. St Lucia Kings on eight points and Guyana Amazon Warriors on six points occupy the other playoff positions.
Antigua and Barbuda Falcons (four points) and St Kitts and Nevis Patriots (two points) are fifth and sixth, respectively.
Being the only franchise to win the tournament four times—2015 as Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel, 2017, 2018, and 2020—Lara is of no doubt that Trinbago Knight Riders can add to their tally.
However, he stressed that it will take more than just talk and quality on paper.
“What we're hoping for with TKR is that togetherness. Individuals may win you a match, but teams win tournaments,” Lara reasoned.
“I'm hoping captain Kieron Pollard will keep the guys together; they work hard, be humble, and get the victory that's necessary,” he noted.
With both the Trinbago Knight Riders and the Guyana Amazon Warriors showing some degree of consistency so far this season, Wednesday’s clash is expected to be a humdinger to kickstart the former’s home leg of fixtures.
England all-rounder Chris Jordan will bolster the Knight Riders bowling attack as he replaces the injured American Ali Khan.
But the Amazon Warriors have also strengthened their bowling attack with the inclusion of Australian leg spinner Nathan Sowter, who temporarily replaces captain Imran Tahir, recovering from an injury.
Mendis continues meteoric rise with fourth Test ton against New Zealand
Kamindu Mendis continued his phenomenal start in Test cricket, hitting his fourth red-ball ton as Sri Lanka ended the day 302-7 versus New Zealand at the Galle International Stadium.
Mendis struck 114 runs from 173 deliveries before being caught by Daryl Mitchell, with the tourists picking up two late wickets to keep themselves in with a chance.
Sri Lanka got off to a poor start with the losses of Dimuth Karunaratne (two) and Pathum Nissanka (27) to Will O'Rourke inside the first six overs.
New Zealand's persistence continued to pay off after lunch as they grabbed a further three wickets, only for Mendis to come to the crease and steady the ship.
He formed a steady partnership alongside Kusal Mendis, going on to notch 11 fours during his 273 minutes on the field before his day came to an end.
Ramesh Mendis (14 not out) and Prabath Jayasuriya (0 not out) were left in play at stumps on what was a promising start for the hosts.
Data Debrief: Mendis the man
Mendis has set the world of Sri Lankan cricket alight since his debut, with his performance against New Zealand his fourth Test 100 in just his seventh appearance in the format.
To go along with his phenomenal record, he has also now scored more than 50 runs in eight Test matches too.
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