Page 49 - The Indian EYE 102723

SPORTS OCTOBER 277, 2023 | The Indian Eye 49

totals, but I think having won all the
four matches while chasing, I think it’s
a great way to have that momentum
with us in those big games that we willl
have moving forward.”
Gill said that it was disappointing
to miss the first two games but is glad
to get some game time now.
“Obviously felt nice (on getting a
fifty). When I was a little sick, I was
feeling a bit disappointed about miss-
ing out on those opportunities, but
definitely felt nice to get some game
time,” said Gill.
On learning from Rohit and Vi-
rat, Gill said that he is trying to learn
how they play in big games.
“To see them how they go about
their business in World Cup and in
big games is what I always try to learn
from them. I think there’s a fine line
between sometimes being too aggres-
sive or going in the shell, especially
playing big games. But I think the
way they play, the way their mindset is
playing those big games in the World
Cup is what I try to learn from them,”
said Gill. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja celebrate the wicket of Bangladesh’s Mushfiqur Rahim (ANI)

Ben Stokes confirms his sion here in Mumbai. [I will] give it a they are excited to be. a back anchor out and the innings go
availability for crucial clash good push but, yes, I think everything “We would love to get our sec- nowhere because they are both well
is pretty good. I am in a good place,” ond win here. South Africa have been and truly stable.”
tar all-rounder Ben Stokes said Stokes. performing really well so far and are a “It’s fine to have one stabilizer,
confirmed that he is fit to play Stokes said that England has a good team. It is exciting as well being at I think it’s really important to have a
SEngland’s crucial ICC Cricket long way to go into the tournament the Wankhede, the first game there [of mind like Steve Smith at the top of the
World Cup clash against South Afri- and the team has to deal with its loss- the World Cup]. It is generally a nice order when you start to set totals or
ca. England will take on South Africa es quickly since it will happen to ev- place to bat in particular. Hopefully, it chase totals, you need that comput-
on Saturday. eryone. can be one of those games for us where er mind, but when you have two of
Though England bounced back “We are only three games into a we go out and click,” said Stokes. them in a row I think it creates pres-
after a nine-wicket loss to New Zea- tournament. There is still a long way sure through the top six so I’d make a
land in the tournament opener with a to go. It [the loss to Afghanistan] was Hayden wants Cameron Green change there,” he added.
win over Bangladesh, they succumbed disappointing at the moment, but to open for Australia Green was dropped after the first
to Afghanistan in Delhi in a shocker. at the end of the day, we have lost a game against India due to his lack of
South Africa also had started off well game of cricket in a World Cup. Ev- ormer Australian batter Mat- form with the bat, but Hayden claimed
with wins against Sri Lanka and Aus- eryone is going to lose games and it’s thew Hayden feels that Austra- the opening may free him up from the
tralia, but became victims of an upset one of those things we had to deal Flia should make a shift in the shackles, with Mitchell Marsh moving
against Netherlands, who had made it with quickly, understand that we did top order and give batting all-round- to No. 3 and Smith to No. 4.
to the tournament through qualifiers. not perform well but move on, and er Cameron Green the flexibility to “Give him a license, Cam Green
Stokes did not feature in the first understand we have a lot more cricket play as an opener in place of Marnus at the top. To me he’s a kid who hasn’t
three matches of the side due to a hip left to play,” said Stokes. Labuschagne, who is now batting at necessarily found his tempo in any
niggle. He had come out of ODI re- Most of the English players have number four. format of the game but what we saw
tirement to help England defend the been joined by their partners and The five-time champions have here during the IPL is that Mumbai
title. Stokes being in playing eleven children. The team had two full days problems throughout their lineup, as Indians just sent him out and said, kid,
will no doubt be a boost for England. off after arriving in Mumbai. Stokes numerous batters have struggled to just smash it,” he said.
Stokes said that it was frustrating said that this little off has given them create good innings after two efforts, “He’s got huge levers, got great
to face a niggle before the tourna- a great chance to recharge their bat- and questions persist about their se- scoring abilities. Not so good when
ment started. teries. lection of three frontline quicks. it comes to playing spin through
“It was a frustrating little niggle to “It has been a good chance to Australia’s scores of 199 and 177 the middle but by that stage if he’s
get before the tournament starts. But rest and get fired up and ready for the against India and South Africa re- smashed Pakistan for 70 or 80 he’s
I have worked very hard to get back to game against South Africa. The fam- spectively, highlight the struggle they done his job. Mitch [Marsh] won’t
where I am and making myself ready ilies have arrived now which has been have had to put up runs on the board like to come down to three because
to be available for selection,” said really good for some people. We have in the ongoing ICC World Cup. he’s had great success in his ODI ca-
Stokes as quoted by ESPNCricinfo to been out here for three or four weeks, Talking about whether pairing reer opening but soon enough you
BBC. so it’s been a good chance to recharge Steve Smith and Labuschagne togeth- are going to get [Travis] Head back in
Stokes said that he is currently in our batteries,” said Stokes. er works, Hayden told ESPNcricinfo, there so ultimately Mitch is going to
a “good place”. Stokes said that the team would “I don’t think it does. I don’t think bat three, so make the change, create
“We have had a few days off since like to register their second win at they’ll change things either. To me, the initiative, do something different
the last game and the first training ses- the iconic Wankhede Stadium, where they have got a front anchor out and rather than sit and wait,” Hayden said.

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