England vs Afghanistan LIVE: Cricket World Cup result and reaction as reigning champions suffer shock defeat
Follow all the action from Arun Jaitley Stadium
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Your support makes all the difference.England’s title defence of the Cricket World Cup is in real trouble after losing to Afghanistan by 69 runs in one of the biggest shocks in the tournament’s history. Afghanistan were dismissed for 284 in Delhi, but bowled out England for 215 with 9.3 overs left. Only Harry Brook offered serious resistance with a 61-ball 66.
The Afghans celebrated only their second-ever win at the World Cup, the other coming against Scotland in 2015 in their first appearance.England have now lost two of their opening three group games, having been thrashed by New Zealand in the tournament opener.
Gurbaz gave the underdogs an explosive start after being sent in by Jos Buttler, dominating a rapid opening stand of 114 and piling on 80 in 57 balls.
But they lost three wickets in 14 balls to throw away much of their good work, Adil Rashid taking the first two before Gurbaz was mindlessly run out by his captain Hashmatullah Shahidi.
He had lit up the lively Arun Jaitley Stadium with his fearless strokeplay, but without his impetus England were able to gain a foothold. They bowled their opponents out for 284 off the penultimate ball of the innings, but there were plenty of question marks over the bowling attack - and even more over the subsequent batting performance.
Follow all the latest live reaction from today’s match in the live blog below and check the latest odds here:
England vs Afghanistan
0.6
Chris Woakes to Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, back to bowler for no runs.
England vs Afghanistan
0.5
Chris Woakes to Ibrahim Zadran. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, thick edge to third man for 1 run, fielded by Topley.
England vs Afghanistan
0.4
Chris Woakes to Ibrahim Zadran. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot working, to short mid wicket for no runs, fielded by Brook.
England vs Afghanistan
0.3
Chris Woakes to Ibrahim Zadran. Out-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, to short extra cover for no runs, fielded by Malan.
England vs Afghanistan
0.2
Chris Woakes to Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Out-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, thick edge in the air uncontrolled to third man for 1 run, run save by Topley.
England vs Afghanistan
0.1
NEW BALL. Wide Chris Woakes to Rahmanullah Gurbaz. In-swinging length ball, down leg side on the front foot shoulders arms, Left to fine leg for 5 runs.
England vs Afghanistan
0.1
Chris Woakes to Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Out-swinging back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot Leave, Left for no runs, fielded by Buttler.
Is England vs Afghanistan on TV?
England have travelled to Delhi to continue their ICC Cricket World Cup campaign on Sunday as they take on Afghanistan in their third match of the tournament’s round robin stage. Jos Buttler’s men suffered the worst possible start to the competition by being hammered by New Zealand in their opening fixture.
They responded exceptionally, bouncing back with a 137-run victory over Bangladesh in Dharamsala last Tuesday. Dawid Malan was the outstanding player, scoring 140 off 107 to set up England’s innings becoming the oldest World Cup centurion in the process. Consistent pressure with the ball saw Buttler’s side bowl the Tigers out for just 227 and earn them their first points of the tournament.
Here’s everything you need to know:
Is England vs Afghanistan on TV? Channel and how to watch ICC Cricket World Cup
Everything you need to know about the ICC 2023 Cricket World Cup fixture
Cricket World Cup points table explained: Why India are above New Zealand as both remain unbeaten
India are finally top of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 points table after their third win from three games against Pakistan.
New Zealand have also won every game, but the hosts are now in top spot and destined for the semi-finals.
After a thumping eight-wicket victory over Afghanistan on Wednesday, with captain Rohit Sharma lead India after a match-winning knock of 131 off 84 balls, the favourites for the tournament retained their form with a big seven-wicket win over rivals Pakistan.
Here’s how the table breaks down:
Why India top New Zealand in ICC World Cup points table
India are above New Zealand in the table - despite the Black Caps winning every game of the ICC Cricket World Cup so far
Joe Root dismisses ODI retirement talk with next Cricket World Cup in his plans
Joe Root has no intention of walking away from ODI cricket at the end of the Cricket World Cup, insisting he would happily sign up for another four-year cycle.
England’s squad is loaded with 11 thirty-somethings and it would be no surprise to see several call time once the title defence is over next month – win or lose.
Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes and Ben Stokes are among those who could call it a day, the latter for a second time.
Joe Root dismisses ODI retirement talk with next Cricket World Cup in his plans
It would be no surprise to see several older England players call time once the title defence is over next month.
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