Brook ‘nailed on’ to be part of T20 squad
Harry Brook’s outstanding start to England’s tour of Pakistan may already have him “nailed on” for a spot in England Twenty20 World Cup side, according to former captain Nasser Hussain.
Brook arrived in Karachi with just four caps under his belt and eager to take advantage of whatever chances came his way ahead of next month’s tournament.
But the 23-year-old has been a revelation so far, scoring 154 runs in three knocks, with a punishing strike-rate of 194.93 and eight sixes to his name.
His 81 not out in Friday’s 63-run win occupied just 35 balls and showcased his enviable range of scoring strokes, from clean hits over the covers, ramps over his shoulder and big blows over mid-wicket.
And it left Hussain certain that he has elbowed his way to the front of the queue for the final spot in the middle order.
“Going into this series, you were thinking, ‘How do we get Brook into the World Cup starting XI?’. I can’t see how you can leave him out now, I really can’t,” he told Sky Sports Cricket.“For me he’s absolutely nailed on in the No 5 spot for the first game in that World Cup. He’s going to be a superstar in all formats.
The fourth T20 in the seven-match series takes place today, again in Karachi.
INDIA’S women claimed the final wicket of the series in dramatic and controversial fashion with a run-out at the nonstriker’s end just as England looked to be closing in on victory in the final one-day international of the series at Lord’s.
Charlie Dean looked comfortable at the crease and hit a chanceless 47 at No. 9 as the hosts looked to be closing in on an unlikely victory before the run-out.
Deepti Sharma took the bails off after entering her delivery stride for the final wicket of the women’s international summer.
Immediately after the third umpire upheld the decision, Dean threw her bat to the ground in tears as boos rang out from the crowd at the manner of India’s victory.
The India players ran off in celebration, and to the delight of many Indian fans in the crowd, but for the rest it was subdued as the visitors commenced a lap of honour.
The match should have been a historic moment for India and England as they returned to Lord’s for the first time in five years since they met at the 2017 World Cup final, but it will be remembered for the final controversy.
India had already won the series having won the first two matches comfortably. England required 17 to win when the run out occurred, with Dean leading the way alongside No. 11 Freya Davies, chasing
India’s total of 169.