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Qatar's Akram Afif stole the spotlight in the AFC Asian Cup final not just with a hat-trick but also with an outrageous card-trick.

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Afif scored all three goals from the spotPulled out unique celebration after openerShowed off magic trick that stunned fansgetty imagesWHAT HAPPENED?

Afif played a pivotal role in Qatar's successive Asian Cup triumph as he bagged a hat-trick on Saturday in the title decider against Jordan. He opened the scoring from the penalty spot, but it was not just Afif's goal-scoring prowess that captured the attention of spectators but also his unexpected and enchanting celebration that followed.

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Instead of the usual jubilant gestures, Afif opted for a close-up magic trick, showcasing his creativity and flair on the field. Approaching a camera positioned near the pitch, Afif revealed a collector's card bearing his image. With a swift motion, he shook his hand, causing the picture on the card to transform, revealing an enigmatic 'S'. While the significance of the 'S' remained unclear, the execution of the magic trick left fans in awe.

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HOW AFIF EXECUTED THE MAGIC TRICK

Despite initial confusion surrounding the illusion, a slow-motion replay unveiled the mechanics behind Afif's magic. The collector's card, cleverly designed with a fold, facilitated the seamless transition of the image, unravelling the mystery behind the trick.

Half-centuries from captain Jason Sangha and Param Uppal contributed to Australia’s all-round effort, handing PNG a mammoth 311-run drubbing in Lincoln

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Jan-2018Australia Under-19 opener Nathan McSweeney’s 156, aided by half-centuries from captain Jason Sangha and Param Uppal, and a seven-wicket haul from fast bowler Jason Ralston handed PNG a mammoth 311-run drubbing in Lincoln.Jason Ralston’s impressive figures•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Having set a target of 371, Ralston ran through the PNG line-up with figures of 7 for 15. While Zak Evans and Ryan Hadley took out one wicket a piece, Ralston’s offensive, across 6.5 overs, proved sufficient to ensure PNG were bowled out for 59 inside 24.5 overs, with only one batsman – Leke Morea (20) – notching up a double-digit score.Much of the trouble for PNG, however, began with the ball as their decision to bowl backfired spectacularly, despite having made the first strike off the eighth ball of the innings. After Semo Kamea removed Max Bryant for a duck, McSweeney hammered 18 fours and four sixes and trotted to a 111-ball 156, putting on 250 runs for the second wicket with Sangha (88), at an astounding rate of 7.28. Left-arm quick James Tau’s double-strike off successive balls in the 36th over accounted for McSweeney and Sangha, following which Austin Waugh (26) partnered with Uppal (61) to add 92 for the fourth wicket. With less than four overs left until the end of the innings, the duo, too, fell off back-to-back deliveries to Dare Aiga, but had done enough to ensure Australia finished on 370 for 8.

Journalist Pete O'Rourke has an update on West Ham United's striker search with some news on Bournemouth forward Dominic Solanke.

Who will West Ham sign?

After weeks of little business being done, possibly due to the drawn-out sale of Declan Rice to Arsenal, West Ham appear to finally be making ground on the transfer front.

Mexico international Edson Alvarez was confirmed as new West Ham signing earlier this week, but the former Ajax star certainly won't be the last, as reports suggest they're also close to signing Southampton's James Ward-Prowse.

Meanwhile, David Moyes is waiting for his side to agree terms with Man United defender Harry Maguire, coming after both the Irons and United agreed on a fee for the 30-year-old.

It could be a very busy last few weeks of the window for West Ham, transfer chief Tim Steidten and sporting director Mark Noble, not to mention David Sullivan.

Gianluca Scamacca, after just one season at the club, has also joined Atalanta and Moyes must now replace the Italian marksman with another striker.

Read the latest West Ham transfer news HERE…

West Ham have been linked with a host of new forwards, including Arsenal's Folarin Balogun, and they will need to get this signing spot on if they're not to have a relegation battle repeat of last season.

Solanke, who starred for Bournemouth over 2022/2023, is rumoured to be on their radar as a "top target".

That is according to O'Rourke, who wrote a column for Football Insider on West Ham's transfer business this week.

He claims Solanke is among their priority names to potentially fill the void left by Scamacca, but there is a problem, as West Ham are currently unlikely to persuade Bournemouth into a deal as things stand.

There is little else on whether that might change, but signing a striker is one of both Steidten and Moyes' top priorities with the new campaign set to get underway this weekend.

Ironically, the Hammers travel to Bournemouth for their opening game tomorrow, with kick off at 3pm.

How good is Dominic Solanke?

The 25-year-old registered a brilliant 13 goal contributions in the top flight last season, standing out as one of the Cherries' best-performing players by average match rating according to WhoScored.

Solanke bagged six goals and seven assists and contributed very well as Bournemouth secured survival with relative ease, having also attempted more shots at goal per 90 than any of his teammates (WhoScored).

O'Neil, speaking to the media last term, heaped praise on the former Liverpool man as an "absolutely massive" player for Bournemouth.

“It’s hard for Dom," said O'Neill when reflecting on the task of Solanke leading Bournemouth's attack.

“I feel for him at times, but that’s the nature of the league. We’re not going to dominate all of games all the time.

“Absolutely massive. I couldn’t ask for a better number nine to go and face the challenges that we’re faced with.”

A round-up of the second day of Ranji Trophy games from Group C

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Oct-2017R Ashwin, and Tamil Nadu pace-bowlers, Lakshminarayanan Vignesh and Krishnamoorthy Vignesh, took two wickets each to keep Andhra in check on the second day in Chennai. The three bowlers combined to leave Andhra at 64 for 5 in the 26th over before Bodapati Sumanth and Ashwin Hebbar punched their way to a century stand for the sixth wicket, to ensure Andhra took a 55-run lead by close of play.L Vignesh struck in consecutive overs early in the day to remove Prasanth Kumar and Hanuma Vihari. Ashwin then accounted for senior batsmen Y Venugopal Rao and Srikar Bharat in successive overs to boost Tamil Nadu’s hopes of a lead after they were bowled out for 176 on the opening day.Hebbar and Sumanth, however, rallied. The pair added 116 runs for the sixth wicket before Sumanth retired hurt on 44. Hebbar contributed 64, more than half of those runs coming through boundaries – he hit eight fours and a six – and he fell after Andhra had secured the lead. Sumanth, playing his first match since October 2015, returned to bat after Andhra were seven down and stretched the lead past 50. He was unbeaten on 72 off 193 balls with four fours.Shubham Sharma’s career-best 196 and his 197-run sixth-wicket partnership with Ankit Sharma (104 off 200 balls) powered Madhya Pradesh to 551 for 8 declared against Baroda in Indore.Resuming from his overnight score of 88, Shubham raced to his 150 soon after lunch, taking Madhya Pradesh to 400, while Ankit worked his way to a maiden first-class century. Shubham’s 196, his second first-class century, included 23 fours and he was denied the double-hundred by left-arm spinner Swapnil Singh. Swapnil also dismissed Ankit but by that time, MP had already moved past 500. Puneet Datey (33 off 55 balls) and Ishwar Pandey (24 off 12 balls) chipped in to further stretch the score.Datey and Pandey then dismissed Aditya Waghmode and Dhiren Mistry respectively to leave Baroda at a wobbling 36 for 2 at stumps.The second day of the match between Odisha and Tripura was washed out in Cuttack

KL Rahul and Karun Nair fail to impress upon Ranji return, while Ankit Bawne slams unbeaten century to drive Maharashtra

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Oct-2017

Mohammed Siraj, the Hyderabad fast bowler, celebrated his India call-up with a four-wicket haul to bundle Karnataka out for 183 in their Group A clash in Shimoga. In reply, Hyderabad, who took the field for the first time this season after rains washed out two successive fixtures at home, were wobbling at 51 for 3, courtesy K Gowtham’s double-strike late in the day.Karnataka’s decision to bat first backfired as they lost three wickets, including Test regular KL Rahul, inside the first half hour. Karun Nair hung around to make 23 and stitched together a 40-run stand with Stuart Binny, who top-scored with an 88-ball 61, to briefly stem the rut. Siraj was complemented well by left-arm pacer Ravi Kiran, who finished with 3 for 36, while Pragan Ojha, in his first game for Hyderabad after two seasons in Bengal, took two wickets.Ankit Bawne continued his good form from the India A series to rack up his 17th first-class century as Maharashtra ended the day at a dominant 274 for 4 against Uttar Pradesh in Lucknow. He found support from opener Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rohit Motwani, who struck 63 and 67 not out respectively, as Maharashtra recovered from a slightly shaky 150 for 4.Bawne, who struck an unbeaten 162 for India A in his previous first-class innings against New Zealand A, hit 12 fours and a six in his 107 not out. His knock helped stem the damage caused by pacer Saurabh Kumar, who picked three of the four wickets to fall. The unbroken fifth-wicket stand between Bawne and Motwani now stands at 124.Fast bowlers Deepak Bansal and Amit Mishra picked up three wickets apiece as Railways had Assam tottering at 216 for 8 at stumps in Guwahati. Four Assam batsmen crossed 20, with the highest being Tarjinder Singh’s 43.Railways justified their decision to bowl first by reducing the hosts to 78 for 5 shortly after lunch. But they were to be denied towards the end of the day courtesy tome lower-order resistance. Pritam Das and Dhiraj Goswami added an unbroken 40 for the ninth wicket to help cross the 200-run mark. Anureet Singh, Railways’ pace spearhead, picked up two wickets.

The transfer window hasn’t started in the most exciting manner for Everton.

The signing of Ashley Young is the club’s only incoming so far and a failure to add more attacking firepower will worry the Goodison Park faithful.

The club managed just 35 goals last season – the second-lowest tally in the division. They were saved from relegation due to the calamitous defensive records of Leicester City and Leeds United.

To avoid the upcoming campaign following a similar vein, the club must add more productive and reliable forwards, with Arnaut Danjuma tipped to be a reinforcement.

What’s the latest on Arnaut Danjuma to Everton?

According to Football Insider, the Toffees have made contact with Villarreal about the signing of Danjuma this summer.

The Merseyside outfit are looking to acquire the winger on a loan deal, and they’re ready to pay a fee as they prepare to submit an offer. It is also believed that Sean Dyche has already been in contact with the player ahead of the move.

Last month, it was suggested that West Ham were attempting to negotiate a deal of around €36m (£31m) for the attacker.

Everton had previously tried to sign Danjuma in January, and he successfully completed a medical but in a sensational twist, he changed his mind and opted to join Tottenham Hotspur instead.

However, Dyche wants the club to reignite its interest in the 26-year-old dynamo as he looks to bring two forwards to the club this summer.

Who can Arnaut Danjuma replace at Everton?

The winger has previously had a successful stint in England for AFC Bournemouth in the Championship.

Across the 2020/21 season, he bagged 25 goal involvements in 37 appearances in all competitions, which meant he was named the Supporters’ Player of the Year.

Football League pundit Clinton Morrison lauded his talent and said:

“Danjuma is an excellent player, whatever happens, he will be playing Premier League football next year, whether it’s with Bournemouth or without them, he’s an exceptional talent.”

Instead of transferring to the top flight, the Dutchman sealed a move to Villarreal.

That year, he was the club’s top LaLiga scorer with ten goals and also netted six times in 11 Champions League outings as the Yellow Submarine made it to the semi-final of the tournament.

Although he endured a quieter season, which included a short, disappointing loan stint in north London, the six-cap international has previously displayed his impressive pedigree and would be a valuable addition to a team lacking an attacking threat.

One player in the current Everton squad who has struggled for prolonged spells of consistency is Demarai Gray.

The Jamaican has shown flashes of brilliance, but his disappointing levels of creativity and productivity are major drawbacks.

Across Europe’s top five leagues and among his positional peers, the former Birmingham City prodigy ranks within the lowest 41% for shot-creating actions, pass completion, progressive passes, progressive carries, and successful take-ons per 90.

Whilst all Everton attackers largely struggle, Gray has had two full seasons at Goodison Park and his quality suggests he is simply a squad player.

His development in Merseyside has stagnated and the signing of Danjuma could provide an exciting new chapter for Evertonians as Dyche looks to drastically change their attacking fortunes heading into the new campaign.

The defending champions have the most experienced batting line-up in the tournament, and a new-found pace force. Will they be able to block out speculations about their leaders though?

Nagraj Gollapudi01-Jun-20171:05

Will Hardik Pandya provide India the cutting edge?

Overview

Anil Kumble has to go through a fresh interview process to prove his credentials as head coach of India. Virat Kohli, having suffered – by his own admission – the most horrendous IPL, returns to the country where he was humbled on his last visit. Of the batsmen in the Indian squad, only Shikhar Dhawan finished in the top ten run-makers’ list in IPL 2017. R Ashwin, India’s premier spinner, missed the IPL and has not played a competitive ODI match since the series against England in January.While there might be cause for some pessimism, there is also a lot to be optimistic about. India are the defending champions, for starters. Nine out of the 15 were part of the squad that won the title in 2013. Kohli’s side is more experienced than any other, and each of his batsmen can win matches on their own.Squad

Virat Kohli (capt), R Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Shikhar Dhawan, MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Hardik Pandya, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Yuvraj Singh

ESPNcricinfo LtdMore importantly, India have fast bowlers that can overpower batsmen in various conditions. In India’s warm-up games, the quartet of Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah and Umesh Yadav shot out both New Zealand and Bangladesh without breaking a sweat. India also have the luxury of a seam-bowling allrounder in Hardik Pandya, who struck a brutal unbeaten 80 off 54 balls against Bangladesh.However, some questions remain. They have to pick out the best opening combination from their three primary options: Dhawan, Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane. On the basis of performance, only Dhawan seems to be a given on the teamsheet. Rahane looked stiff and failed to take off in the warm-ups. Rohit arrived late to the camp and faced three balls in his only innings.Yuvraj Singh, who has not played in England since the World T20 in 2009, was laid low by a viral fever. If he is picked in the XI, should he bat at No. 4 before MS Dhoni or should it be the other way round? If Hardik is picked, should India go with two other fast bowlers or drop a spinner to play three?Kumble and Kohli will need to figure the answers to these questions first. Then then can they bother about proving a point to their detractors.

Champions Trophy history

1998 – Semi-final
2000 – Runner-up
2002 – Joint-champions (with Sri Lanka)
2004 – Group stage
2006 – Group stage
2009 – Group stage
2013 – Champions

Form Guide

India have not played too much one-day cricket since the 2015 World Cup, but they have won their last three ODI series. They wrapped up the away series in Zimbabwe and followed it with victories against New Zealand and England during their home season.

Strength

India have the most experienced batting order. They also bat deep and have the luxury of five allrounders in Yuvraj, Kedar Jadhav, Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik.Bhuvneshwar is the best death bowler in limited-overs cricket, according to Steven Smith; Bumrah is not far behind either. Shami and Umesh can combine velocity with reverse swing when the ball gets old.

Weakness

The emergence of Jadhav and Hardik as capable batsmen has bolstered India’s lower-middle order. Previously that burden fell solely on the shoulders of Dhoni, who had made it clear upon stepping down as ODI captain last year that the baton of the finisher needed to be passed to younger hands.Performances against New Zealand and England have given Kohli confidence in the Jadhav-Hardik. But despite those efforts at home, and Hardik’s imperious innings in the warm-up, the jury will be out on them as finishers in these conditions. There is also the question of whether Hardik can assert himself as a bowler in England on his first visit there. Can he adjust to the conditions and quickly understand the lengths he needs to bowl?

Key Stats

27 – The number of ODIs played by India since the 2015 World Cup – the least by any of the eight participants in the Champions Trophy.74.00 – Dhawan’s average in England, the best among all players in the tournament (minimum 500 runs) since 20122007 – A decade since Yuvraj last played an ODI in England​

Marcelo explained Real Madrid's unique strategy of 'leaving him like that' to stop Barcelona icon Lionel Messi in epic Clasico clashes.

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Messi has an incredible record in El ClasicosMarcelo revealed the secret to stopping MessiArgentine scored 26 goals in 45 ClasicosGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

Several managers and defenders have tried to find the answer to stopping Messi over a period of close to two decades but have failed to come up with a successful formula. During his stay at Barcelona, he was a nightmare for Real Madrid defenders and fans as the Argentine would more often than not find a way to score past them be it in a Champions League semifinal or a La Liga fixture.

After Fede Valverde honestly admitted that he doesn't know how to stop Messi, veteran left-back Marcelo, who had participated in numerous duels with the forward, revealed a strange strategy to stop him from hitting top gear.

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Marcelo, while speaking to said, "Messi did not talk during the games and I tried not to talk to him because he was quiet. We always said that we should leave him like that, because if we decided to obstruct him, we would provoke him and then he would get angry, and if he was angry, he became more and more difficult to handle."

Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Throughout Messi's illustrious career with Barcelona, he participated in 45 matches against Real Madrid in several competitions such as La Liga, the Copa del Rey, the Spanish Super Cup, and the UEFA Champions League. Messi showcased his extraordinary goal-scoring prowess by netting an impressive total of 26 goals, a Clasico record, which not only underscores his consistency as a prolific scorer but also highlights his knack for being a decisive force in crucial moments. Each goal contributed significantly to Barcelona's success in these key matchups, solidifying Messi's status as one of the greatest footballers of all time.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR MESSI & REAL MADRID?

Messi will be in action with Argentina against Uruguay on November 16, followed by a marquee clash against Brazil five days later in two 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Meanwhile, Real Madrid will travel to Cadiz on November 16 following the international break.

ScorecardWill Tavare bedded in for a six-hour century•PA Photos

Will Tavare completed a six-hour century as Gloucestershire built a strong position on the second day of the Specsavers County Championship match with Leicestershire at Bristol.Resuming their first innings on 236 for 5, the hosts declared on 466 for 8, Tavare top-scoring with 101, well supported by Phil Mustard (72), Jack Taylor (60) and David Payne (54 not out). Gavin Griffiths finished with 4 for 101.In reply, Leicestershire slumped to 14 for 3 before a fighting stand of 102 between skipper Mark Cosgrove (48) and Mark Pettini (54). They fell in quick succession and by the close the visitors were back in trouble at 165 for 6, trailing by 301.Tavare, who missed much of last season with a knee problem, was unbeaten on 73 overnight and moved to a painstaking hundred off 271 balls. He had batted for six hours and 12 minutes when bowled by a full-length ball from Griffiths.It was Leicestershire’s only success in the morning session, despite beating the bat on numerous occasions. Mustard, unbeaten on 13 at the start, was 51 not out at lunch, having shared a stand of 89 with Tavare and helped Gloucestershire to three batting points.Mustard fell soon after the interval, bowled by Neil Dexter aiming a big hit over the leg side, having faced 159 balls and hit 7 fours.His application, allied to that of Tavare, gave Taylor and Payne licence to play positively after Craig Miles had been caught at short-leg off a lifter from Richard Jones for five to make it 378 for 7.Taylor breezed to his half-century off 65 balls, with 6 fours and a six, before being caught behind attempting to pull a ball from Griffiths.Payne needed only 48 deliveries to reach fifty, having struck eight fours and a six. He and Liam Norwell added 33 before Mustard declared, leaving the Leicestershire batsmen a tricky period before tea.Paul Horton was pinned lbw by Payne, playing across the line, for six and when Harry Dearden fell for eight to another leg-before decision upheld in Norwell’s favour off the last ball before the break the visitors were 14 for 2.That became 14 for 3 when Dexter looked to drive Payne at the start of the evening session and edged a catch to second slip where Chris Dent leapt to hold a sharp chance.Batting started the look more straightforward from the moment Cosgrove joined Pettini and they gradually led a recovery.Cosgrove was merciless on anything short from the seamers and had moved to within two of a half-century when carelessly giving a return catch to off-spinner Taylor to make the score 116 for 4.Pettini moved to his fifty off 77 balls, with 9 fours, but in the same Norwell over was caught behind attempting to leave the ball.Colin Ackermann was forced to retire hurt with a hand injury on eight with the total 146, having been hit by a delivery from Craig Miles and Ben Raine fell for a duck, caught behind off the same bowler. Ned Eckersley was 25 not out at stumps.

A mature century from Eoin Morgan helped England to what may well prove a daunting total in the first ODI of the series against West Indies in Antigua

The Report by George Dobell03-Mar-2017
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsEoin Morgan acknowledges his 10th ODI hundred•Associated Press

A mature century from Eoin Morgan helped England to victory in the first ODI of the series against West Indies in Antigua. The win was secured with almost three overs to spare, with Chris Woakes and Liam Plunkett taking four wickets apiece.Morgan, the England captain, had spoken the day before the game about the need for his side to temper their aggressive instincts a little on a surface that he anticipated would do little to encourage stroke-play. It proved an accurate analysis. On a sluggish, slightly two-paced pitch England were precariously placed at 29 for 2 when Morgan walked to the wicket after West Indies had won what appeared to be an important toss in a match delayed by rain.It took Morgan seven balls to get off the mark and 33 to reach double-figures. But he did not panic. Recognising that this was a surface on which a total of 270 might prove match-winning, he batted accordingly and reached his tenth ODI century – and second in three matches – with his second six in the 49th over of the England innings. It was a masterful demonstration of experience and calculated aggression in conditions demanding more subtlety than aggression.It was the first time England had failed to post a total of at least 300 when batting first in an ODI since February 2016. But, in these conditions, it was a challenging total and testament, perhaps, to some growing sophistication within an England side that has tended, until now, to try to blast its way to success. Had they attempted to make 350, they could very well have subsided for fewer than 200.”It wasn’t easy or pretty,” Morgan said afterwards. “It was hard work, especially getting in.”It was very tacky early on. When they peeled the covers off, it was damp. They rolled it and it looked dry but it just rolled the moisture into the wicket. Over the first 15 or 20 overs the moisture came out of it and that balls that dismissed Joe Root and Jason Roy both kept low.”It was Morgan’s fifth century as captain, a new record for an England skipper surpassing the four made by Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook.West Indies will rue two missed chances, though. First Kieran Powell, at slip, was unable to cling on to an outside edge offered by a loose drive off Carlos Brathwaite’s first ball when Morgan had just 4, while later Shai Hope was unable to complete a tough catch after a delivery from Jason Mohammed turned, bounced and took Morgan’s outside edge when he had 69.Perhaps more significantly in the grand scheme of things, Morgan also had an escape when he was struck by a bouncer bowled by the impressively sharp Shannon Gabriel. Through a pull shot too early, Morgan was struck on the stemguard but, thanks to the extra protection, he was able to go on and celebrate a fine century in front of a crowd dominated by travelling England supporters. Ticket prices of USD75 appear to have done little to attract local spectators.Morgan accelerated intelligently after his careful start. He struck the spinners for four fours in eight balls at one stage, going deep in his crease to pull and lofting the ball over mid-off when the man was pulled into the circle, while also clearing his front leg and striking the seamers for his two sixes.He was given excellent support from Ben Stokes. Stokes, too, ensured he played himself in before going on the attack and it took him 26 deliveries to reach double-figures but once he settled he went on the attack and helped his captain add 110 in 18.4 overs.Struggling to hit fours on the slow surface and with bug square boundaries, Stokes instead relied on his power. He struck three sixes in 12 balls at one stage – helped by Kraigg Brathwaite stepping over the boundary as he attempted to take a catch at deep midwicket – and registered his sixth score of 50-plus in his last nine ODI innings, from 56 balls.While he was eventually caught at long-on and Morgan was run-out backing-up – Moeen Ali hit the ball straight back at the bowler, Brathwaite, who threw down the stumps – Moeen contributed 31 from 22 balls to help England plunder exactly 100 runs off the final 10 overs of their innings.West Indies rarely threatened to get close to their target. After Evin Lewis pulled to deep midwicket, Kieran Powell sent a leading edge to point as he tried to turn one into the leg side, and Kraigg Brathwaite pulled to mid-on. Mohammed and Jonathan Carter added 82 in 13.5 overs to revive West Indies hopes, but when Carter was brilliantly caught by Jason Roy, charging in from deep midwicket, and Mohammed was run-out by some nifty footwork from the bowler, Steven Finn, having been called through for a sharp single, their chase fell away.”We were in the game right through,” Mohammed said afterwards. “But when a team scores a hundred in the last 10 overs, they’ve got a really good chance. That was a crucial part in the game.”A couple of chances went down, too. If we’d held on to them, there could have been a different result.”England’s victory was achieved without the need to use Stokes’ bowling skills. The much-anticipated rematch between him and Carlos Brathwaite, therefore, will have to wait. Woakes, who finished with four wickets as reward for an intelligent display of control and variation, dismissed him with a slower ball. Plunkett also finished with four wickets, while Finn, in his first ODI since September 2015, was wicketless but bowled with good control. It was, in short, a good display by England’s seamers.”I thought they were brilliant in conditions that don’t really suit us,” Morgan said. “We were relentless in making them hit cross-bat shots into the wind. It was an outstanding performance from the seamers.”It wasn’t pre-planned not to us Ben. I just didn’t need to go to him.”Sam Billings will feel he only partially took his chance to impress having retained his place at the top of the order. He registered his second half-century in three ODI innings to steady England, after Gabriel defeated Roy with one that may have kept a little low and bowled Joe Root with a beauty that cut in off the seam. Billings may feel he squandered a chance to register a really telling total, though, when skipping down the pitch and drilling a catch to mid-on.”He’s got to keep churning out runs,” Morgan said when asked if Billings had done enough to see off the return of Alex Hales over the next couple of games. “Alex is a very formidable player in our side and has scored a lot of runs when we’ve won games. It’ll all depend on how Hales has pulled up from training.”