T20 World Cup: Pakistan spinners stand between England and a semi-final

T20 World Cup: Pakistan spinners stand between England and a semi-final

An lbw dismissal to Dunith Wellalage means England’s captain Harry Brook has been removed by spinners four times in a row at this World Cup.

Overall he now averages 19.1 against spin in T20 internationals, compared to 46.2 against the quicks.

Jacob Bethell, who played a horrible slog to fall to Maheesh Theekshana on Sunday, has got out to a spinner in every innings.

Jos Buttler was pinned in front by Wellalage, though he looked equally as troubled by the seamers.

Buttler, who has made three single-figure scores in a row, was the only player from the expected XI for Tuesday to train on Monday evening.

Given England rarely train when there is only one day between matches, that shows Buttler’s struggle to find form.

Tuesday’s match is again in Pallekele, where England have now won four T20s in a row in a matter of weeks. It is becoming a home far away from home in the Sri Lankan jungle.

The match will also be played on a fresh, unused pitch, which England will hope is more suited to clean-hitting. If not they, of course, have their own potent spin attack as Sunday’s win showed.

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