Liam Plunkett hits top speed but England are left frustrated in third one-day international against Sri Lanka
Pace-man clocks 93mph in three-wicket haul before rain triumphed at Bristol
LIAM PLUNKETT captured three more wickets as England’s bowlers continue to exert their total control over Sri Lanka’s batsman.
The Yorkshire quick bowler reached 93mph on the speed gun and enhanced his claims to be a permanent fixture in England’s white balls teams.
He took 3-46 as England restricted Sri Lanka to just 248-9 in 50 overs in the third one-day international at Bristol yesterday.
But rain prevented England from securing what would surely have been a comfortable victory.
The no result means England lead the 50-over series 1-0 with a tie and a washout.
England have so far restricted Sri Lanka to totals of 286-9, 254-7 and now 248-9. Their bowlers are becoming more and more dominant.
Plunkett was the man who struck a six from the final ball at Trent Bridge last Tuesday to clinch that dramatic tie. But his bowling is the real reason he is in the team.
He endured a frustrating winter – not playing a Test and in and out (mainly out) of the one-day team. He was eventually chosen in England’s XI for the World Twenty20 and he has now kept his place in the 50-over team.
If his speedo is accurate, 93mph puts him in the higher echelons of quick bowlers around the world. Plunkett himself reckons he is the fastest bowler in England’s limited-overs team and has Chris Woakes covered for sheer speed.
Plunkett, who passed 50 one-day wickets in his 37th match, said: “It was frustrating in the winter being around the set-up and not playing.
“But I’ve played long enough to realise that you keep grafting and, when you get your chance, you have to take it.
“I want to play but, even if I’m not, I enjoy being around the squad. Being 12th or 13th man for England is not the worst thing in the world.
“I felt things went well in the World Twenty20 and that helped get me back in the one-day squad, especially with people like Reece Topley injured.
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“I was told to work on other stuff likes slower balls but I feel I’m at my best when I’m smashing the pitch and letting the batsmen hit from there.
“To get to 50 one-day wickets is an achievement - it’s only taken me 11 years! I feel in good rhythm and in a good place in white ball cricket.”
Woakes also took three wickets and is surely certain to play in the First Test against Pakistan at Lord’s on July 14 – especially now that James Anderson is injured.
Anderson has a stress fracture of his right shoulder blade and is struggling to be fit for the series against Pakistan, let alone the First Test.
Four batsmen passed 40 for Sri Lanka but none went on to a major score. England’s reply lasted only four overs before the rain but Alex Hales, who scored a century at Edgbaston on Friday, was out for a golden duck.