To put occasion
ble to predict. One bad result and you’re out.
For Morgan and England coach Trevor Bayliss, that is the risk they run. This is the culmination of two years of cricketing revolution. They tore up the handbook after the 2015 World Cup debacle.
What may hamper the host nation is their bowling options and the struggle to nail down a five-man attack which offers balance as well as potency. Adil Rashid was a shock omission from the tournament opener at The Oval, while Chris Woakes has been hit with a tournament-ending side strain. Liam Plunkett and Mark Wood offer explosive pace, but the control of Woakes is a miss. David Willey may feature against the Black Caps in Cardiff and Rashid will surely return.
If all goes to plan England should emerge as Group A winners, meaning a semi-final back at the Cardiff Wales Stadium on Wednesday, June 14.
But come what may, England success or not, it will be another feast of world-class sporting action in the heart of the Welsh capital. Bring it on. ICC Champions Trophy games in Cardiff England v New Zealand, tomorrow, 10.30am. New Zealand v Bangladesh, Friday June 9, 10.30am. Sri Lanka v Pakistan, Monday June 12, 10.30am. Semi-final TBA v TBA, Wednesday June 14, 10.30am. CARDIFF put some daylight between themselves and the chasing pack in Division One of the South Wales Premier League after seeing off nearest challengers Bridgend Town by six wickets in their top-of-table clash.
Hosts Bridgend won the toss and batted first at Newbridge Fields, posting a total of 125-9. Tom Baker top scored with 26 as Tom Barry returned the impressive figures of 5-27.
But a fine 56 from opener Alex Milton helped Cardiff over the line in 31.3 overs to make it four wins and only one defeat from their opening six games – while ending Bridgend’s unbeaten record at the same time.
That defeat for Bridgend also means that reigning champions Newport, in third, are now the only unbeaten side left in division after they picked up a winning draw at Port Talbot Town.
Callum Taylor, batting at number four, was the star of the show for Newport as he smacked seven fours and four sixes in an unbeaten knock of 115 off 102 balls to help steer them to 284-6 off their allotted 50 overs after skipper Matthew Norris had won the toss and elected to bat.
Opener Mark Wallace also chipped in with a useful 40.
Michael Samuel then led the charge in reply for Port Talbot with 109 but Newport’s total proved to be enough, with the hosts finishing their innings on 260-3.
Samuel was involved in two decent partnerships, putting on 127 for the second wicket with opening partner Anthony Thomas (74) and 126 for the third wicket with Barney Huxtable who finished undefeated on 56.
Zalmai Ahmadzai, Michael Clayden and Phil MacLean all took a wicket each for Newport.
Elsewhere, there were victories for Neath and Mumbles while Ynysygerwn picked up a winning draw against Ammanford.
Meanwhile, Division Two leaders Newport Fugitives’ 100 per cent winning start to the season came to end as they went down by 50 runs at Miskin Manor.
Nathan Millichip took 4-41 to help bowl hosts Miskin out for 143 but the Fugies, who were aiming to make it six wins out of six, had an off-day with the bat as they were bowled out for just 93 in reply, Steve White top scoring with 22.
There was a first defeat of the campaign for promotion-chasing Panteg who went down by 30 runs at home against Ynystawe.