MILLS & BOOM!
Jordan backs speedster Tymal to turn up heat against the Aussies
TYMAL MILLS has been backed to bring the heat against Australia tomorrow and use his pace and physique to lay down England’s first marker of the winter.
Mills has never played an international against the Aussies but will know plenty about the opposition having spent time in the dressing rooms of Brisbane Heat and the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash.
But unlike at Hobart where he had Jofra Archer firing at 90mph from the other end, he is unlikely to get the same support this weekend.
Mark Wood is still battling to be fit and Saturday might come too soon for him, leaving Mills as England’s main pace weapon.
“I’d definitely say Big T is intimidating to face,” said the leftarmer’s England and former Sussex team-mate Chris Jordan. “He’s full of pace and mixes that pace with some high-quality skill as well, whether it be slower balls, banging length, using different angles.
“And his cricket brain as well. He really takes responsibility for his spells, his field placement. He has a real feel for the rhythm of the game.
“I’m so happy for him. The biggest thing I’m happy about is him being able to string together so many games back-to-back.
“It is well-documented he had a struggle with injury in the past but I feel like mentally and physically he is in a really good place.”
Mills has been outstanding so far, taking 5-44 in two matches and going at under six per over but he knows the Aussies will come at him hard.
He was hit more than nine an over for Hobart and team-mate Matthew Wade will have seen plenty of him in the nets too.
But this is a World Cup and the last time these teams met in a global tournament, the Aussies had a day to forget, and the architect of their demise is back for more.
In what could be the first of seven meetings this winter, the chance is there for Chris Woakes, who will be involved in T20 and Test formats, to make his presence felt.
He collected 3-20 in the 2019
World Cup semi-final on his home turf at Edgbaston and seems to be hitting the right sort of notes in the
UAE too.
Jordan (left) said: “Woakesy is another outstanding player.
You know what you’re going to get from him and he does a really good professional job, setting the tone right from the start.
“Any England v Australia game is always right up there when it comes to stakes and intensity.” ENGLAND’S Fran Wilson is quitting international cricket at the age of 29.
The right-hand bat, a World Cup winner in 2017, has 64 caps across all three formats.
She said: “I feel incredibly proud to have played for my country for the past 10 years.”