India’s status among the favourites to win the 2019 World Cup was jolted by Saturday’s six-wicket defeat to New Zealand in a key warm-up fixture at The Oval in London.
Captain Virat Kohli’s decision to bat first after winning the toss brought a final total of 179 all out, which would have read substantially less had all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja not weighed in with a near stand-alone half-century down the order.
India’s top four batsmen, including Kohli, shared a mere 28 runs – and were largely outdone by a Black Caps attack spearheaded by fast bowler Trent Boult. The left-armer delivered a telling four-wicket haul – and was well supported by three from seamer Jimmy Neesham.
New Zealand’s reply, which ensured triumph with 77 deliveries to spare, was led by captain Kane Williamson and former skipper Ross Taylor. Williamson gathered 67 to Taylor’s 71 during a dominant 114-run alliance for the third wicket.
Australia, meanwhile, inflicted a 12-run defeat to England at the Hampshire Bowl in Southampton.
The Aussies relished a superb century from ex-captain Steven Smith, whose 116 spanned 102 deliveries – and featured eight fours and a trio of sixes.
Half-tons from batsman James Vince and stand-in skipper Jos Buttler, who led the XI in the absence of the injured Eoin Morgan, were not enough as part of the insufficient reply from the tournament co-hosts.
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