Test Match Special - England survive World Cup scare against Nepal.

Episode Date: February 8, 2026

England beat Nepal by 4 runs in a last ball thriller as Sam Curran bowled a brilliant final over to prevent a huge shock. henry Moeran is joined by Steven Finn and Prakash Wakankar and we hear from Curran plus the two captains

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Sam Curran, Interpol, and it's been hit away down the ground, on the ground, crucially, and England win the game. My goodness me, it has been thrilling and how big do those runs scored by Will Jacks at the back end of innings? Number one look, I mean goodness. Well, England have won a thriller here in Mumbai, beating Nepal by just four runs, setting Nepal a hundred-one. Nepal 185 is a target having themselves England hit 184 for 7. Nepal looked odds-on favourites to win it with the 19th over and the 18th over having been oh so expensive. It looked as though it was going to go the way of the associate side. In the end though Sam Curran with a fabulous final over, five from it.

And England managed to get over the line, albeit scrambling over the line. And goodness me, what relief that will be for Harry Brook and the England camp will bring you reaction from both sides shortly. But Stephen Finn, Ash is winning fast bowler and Prachash Wakanko were watching on for test match special. And Prakash, first of all, it's been some atmosphere and some game of cricket. A phenomenal game of cricket. Yes, relief for England and heartbreak again for Nepal. But this is really what this World T20 is all about, isn't it?

Just giving the opportunity and yet again we're. seeing Finney and Henry that when the associate nations are given that platform and that opportunity, the development that they're getting, the growth that they're getting, almost you feel that they need to have more such opportunities which will make the world and the game of cricket. That much richer, won't it? Has there ever been a bigger advert for more teams in a World Cup? I found that 20, 2350 over World Cup, so tedious with just 10 teams, all playing against each other.

You want the jeopardy, the nerves that we felt there, the way this ground, the entire ground was engaged with what could have been a humongous result in the context of cricket history, Nepal beat in England. And we've almost witnessed that here today. It's such a shame for that not to happen more frequently and I hope that people at the ICC are watching things like this and thinking people deserve to watch

or these teams deserve the opportunity. Well, Will Jax is the player, of the match 39 not out of 18 balls in England's innings vital runs as well at the back end of that also took one for 17 from his two overs and gets the player of the match award could have been others brook and also bethel scored half centuries and as we see the Nepal side doing a lap of honour as is richly deserved here at the one katie stadium we will as I say bring reaction for you from the boundary edge as we reflect on this tournament opener and the opening stages of the competition which has seen plenty of near misses for upsets, none closer than this one, it has to be said, which has been absolutely thrilling, compelling cricket throughout. And here is NASA Hussein with Will Jaxz. Presented by Cavita Singh from Aramco for his 39 in 18 deliveries and one for 17 with the ball. The player of the match is Will Jax. Will if you can get your medal please. Well, many congratulations before we get on to your performance that looked to be a serious

test of all your skills both individually and a team? Yeah I think full credits in the pool they were absolutely brilliant. We saw the pitch was tricky when we batted but they played against us been very well and they really took us close there. They played it brilliantly. One of the big reasons you are player of the match was that 45 of the last three overs proved pivotal. What was your thought process? Yeah it's nice to spend some time in the middle. I've been a bit shorter that over the last month or so and it's about keeping it simple and the guys in the

or described to me what it was like out there, so let the wall come, not over hit it, and obviously that last over proved crucial in the end, so happy with that. Which did you find harder to face out their spin or seen? I think you know the answer to that one, it was very tough to start. Do you think they could have gone just the spinner of the last over? Were you pleasantly surprised when they went, Casey? Yeah, I saw they were debating. I think the helmet ran out and then went off, so obviously in hindsight they might have done that,

but all in all they were tactically very well, very good, and it was obviously pushed us right to the edge there. And with the ball there's been quite a few contributors, especially in the spin department. It was you and Jacob Bethel in Sri Lanka, you and Liam Dawson, those all-round spinners are crucial in these conditions. Yeah, and I think if the surfaces are going to continue to behave like that, then that's going to be crucial going forward. There's obviously a lot of games to be played in this World Cup, and Dawes was absolutely brilliant today. I think having that adaptability is going to hopefully lead us in good state. And the new haircut has gone pretty well, one from one with a new hair deal.

Yeah, I mean, hopefully that contributes to a few more wins. Many congratulations, well played. Thank you. That's Will Jacks chatting to NASA Hussein, player of the match from a thrilling game. And it is worth explaining just why it was so thrilling, not just the margin, which is a slight one at four runs, but also where Nepal were in their run chase. 48 were needed from the final three overs. The 18th over bowled by Joffar Archer ended up going for 22. We saw three sixes in there, a couple of wides, and that shifted the equation.

To a much more manageable, it has to be said, 24 of the remaining two. Luke Wood then started bowling wides. There was a four, two wides, another four, another wide, and then he closed out the over with two, one, and a wicket. That saw 14 from the 19th over. At that point, Nepal needed 10 from the remaining over. Step forward, Sam Curran. dot one, one, two, dot one, done.

And that was what England required, and it gets them the win. I mean, the net run rate boost that they might have thought about, which a distant memory now, they're just delighted to have got over the line, and they do get over the line. Stephen Finn will be hearing from Harry Brooks shortly, but what will he be feeling right now? Utter relief, I would say. I think that lots of things were the past through his mind

in the last 20 minutes or so. and emotions, he's probably feeling pretty exhausted, to be honest with you. I'm exhausted the emotional up and down of watching that up here. If you're living that every second as captain, I'd imagine that's exacerbated. So, yeah, relief. And I think he's going to take some food for thought about some of his bowling plans as well, moving through this tournament. So what went wrong?

Because I mentioned the expense of Archer and Luke Wood in the 18th and 19th. Did they bowl badly? Clearly the extras weren't ideal. But what went wrong there, do you think? think? Well, I think looking further back in the game, for Adil Rashid to only have bowled three overs on a pitch that should have suited him means that he was a bit off the money today. I think the bowling in general was maybe a touch predictable. I think you have to find what works on any given pitch, but I think you have to interspers that with different tactics or different deliveries

just so that batters can't get used to just one pace of ball coming down. at you or one type of ball coming down at you. So I think that England will look at it on the whole as a job well done. I thought they batted really well in that first innings. I thought Brooke made some really sensible decisions with the bat in hand, seeing off their dangerous bowlers and attacking when the odds were far more in his favor. I thought that he deserves credit for that. But just that little bit less predictable with the ball in hand is something that I think

those bowlers will reflect upon. every close game, Prakash, is an opportunity for learning. You wouldn't have expected it to be against these opponents, but dealing with pressure is pressure regardless. There's always pressure when you come close in a game, and indeed, England have found that, albeit against an opponent, they wouldn't have anticipated that to be the case.

Well, I think it works both ways, doesn't it? In the fact that the more fan-seed team probably carries that much more pressure of expectation, whereas the one that's less fancied, I think just goes out there and gives it its all because they know that the majority of people expect them to lose. They have absolutely nothing to lose. They go out there, play their best cricket.

And once again, that old adage in this T20 format in particular, that M.S. Doni in particular always talked about, was take the game deep. And I think that's what Nepal did. We said twice in commentary, if not thrice. Looks like that's the game done. When that big partnership of ATR was broken, when both those set batters were out,

we thought this was it, and England would probably win by 20-30 runs at least comfortably. But then we saw what happened, as you described in the last 18th and 19th over, and commit the art, come at the man. This man, Sam Curran, when he's playing in India, and he just does something very, very special, not to take anything away from his performances around the world.

But Nepal will take huge art from this, and I think it, as Finney very rightly said, there's a case to find ways, even outside multi-nation formats, for the associate countries to be given the opportunity and for the established cricketing nations to play, mandatorily play more cricket with these nations to give them the opportunity of developing their very obvious talent. Well, I want to get into that more deeply shortly

with some of the thrills that we've had in the tournament, albeit without a shock per se. but what I will ask you, Finney, first of all, is England's bowling. You look at some of the figures there. Luke Wood, three overs, one for 31. Joffre Archer, four overs, one for 42. Adel Rashid, three overs, none for 42. And then Curran's figures four overs, one for 27,

Jack's one for 17, off two. There were some expensive spells there from some experienced bowlers. Yeah, there were, but I would say that we shouldn't read, too much into that because it's T20 cricket and that can happen. I think that the thing that England will reflect upon is that predictableness at times with the leg cutters from Joffar Archer after his first over I think he'd have bought 90% leg cutters which allows the batters even if they are effective for an over as they were in his second over if it then becomes predictable in the third and fourth then people can stand there and hit them for six and that's what happened and Adil Rashid

as well with how slow he bowled in his first couple of overs. I don't know if he was expecting maybe the Nepalese batters to... Well, here comes the Nepalese captain, and Rohe Kumar Paddle is with Nassah Hussain. Disappointed, but in equal measure, incredibly proud of your team. Yes, disappointment is there, but at the same time, I think, as a team, I'm very proud of the team. The way the boys have shown that effort against England,

That takes a lot of appreciation. And when we step up today in the ground, the only message to the group was whatever we have will give a 110% in the ground. And I think boys have given all what they had. And that's what makes them different. And I'm very proud of them. Shows how far you've come as a cricketing nation

that you can be here, disappointed. You've not got over the line against two-time champions. England. You played a lot of good cricket in that game. Yeah, absolutely. I think we had that belief when we came in this World Cup. We didn't came here to just participate. We wanted to compete. And we had that belief in the group that we can beat any of the sides if we play our best brand of cricket. And I thought today

we played our best brand of cricket. What did you make of your performance in the field and with the ball? I think today overall, if you see the result-wise, it didn't It went away, but the efforts-wise, I would give 100% on both fielding, bowling and batting. Those last three overs went for 45. Is there anything in hindsight you could have done differently? Yes, I think in that area, we can improve. I thought England were also struggling with the death-ver bowling, but last over Sam Cairn bowled really well.

So I thought it's hard for bowlers in death-horse to bowl, especially in the death-work to execute those yorkers, those low bounces. So I thought we missed on that part, but at the same time, I think we'll improve from there. And with the bat, yeah, partnership with Dependres Singh, IRE, what were you saying to each other? We were calculating just for last five words, we wanted, we gets in hand and at least 10 or 12 hours per over. So we were discussing about that only, and we're targeting first two both for boundaries, and it's just the overs. Not many times Adir Rashid gets taken down. Was that a plan to go after him or is that just how it worked out?

No, it was not a particular plan to take on Adir Rassad, but it happened. And I thought, we thought as a group that we thought as Dipendra and we thought that we could take on him today. And it went good for us. Next up for you is Italy. It's a real message to the rest of the group. You're going to have to be at your best to be Nepal. Those games become vital for you now. Yeah, absolutely. I think we will not take any of the teams lightly.

And I think all other teams in this tournament will not take any of the associate teams or any teams lightly. So that's the message, but we as a team need to be on our 100%. Quick word for the fans. You always play in front of a full crowd, but to do it here in India must be very special. Yeah, absolutely. They're very passionate. If you see today, whole Kathmandu, the whole Nepal came here to support us. And that's great to see them here. And that motivates us.

When we went to the ground, we carry your hopes, we carry your belief. And I think today we gave everything. And I think today all Nepal will be very proud of all of us. I know you're disappointed, but it was an absolute pleasure to watch your side today. Well done, and commiserations. Thank you. Harry, I said to you at the toss, there are no easy games in this tournament. That did not look like an easy game.

It wasn't easy at all, but thankfully got over the line. A word on the opposition. from where they've come from in international cricket to push you so hard, there's a lot of talent in that side. Yeah, they played extremely well, and I just heard you say that not many teams take Adul Rashid down the way they did, and I thought they played against him outstanding, and yeah, they put us in a tricky situation for quite a few occasions there as well.

What did you make at the halfway stage, 184? Were you pretty pleased with that? Yeah, definitely. I thought we were in a very good position to be able to defend that, and I didn't quite think it was going to go as close as that, but hats off to the Nepalese team. They played extremely well and I wish them all the best for the rest of the competition.

That's 12 wins in 13 now on the back of wins in Sri Lanka and you're getting performances from a lot of different people, aren't you? It's not just one or two cricketers. Again, it was Will Jax at the end. It was Bethel at the start. That must please you.

Yeah, awesome. Beth played outstanding the way that he was rocking back and smacking the spinners into the stand was really nice to watch and then the way that Jaxi just slipped into his role there at number seven. He hasn't done much of it, but the way that he batted at the end there is won as the game. That last strength break came at a good time for you.

The captain and vice captain was building a healthy partnership. You got in a huddle. What did you say? I just said we put two or three wickets on this and it all changes. And yeah, we didn't quite get them rewards, but we managed to stick to our guns and we stayed calm out there. And did it throw you a little bit with that ill going around? I mean, I think it's the first time in 25 games. He's gone wicketless.

Does that throw you a bit as a captain? your plans? We have so many options out there. I don't think Sam bowed until a lot later on than usual in the 20 overs. But, yeah, obviously it wasn't ideal. Rashko getting a little bit of tap there. It's not often that he doesn't ball four overs as well. So, yeah, look, it's just one of them days for him,

and I'm sure he'll bounce back better. But you did have Sam Curran. Just to have that experience to defend 10 in the last over, he nailed his skills, brilliantly under pressure. Yeah, unbelievable. And we were both fairly calm. out there, we knew exactly what he was going to try and do and they executed outstandingly. Well played personally, well played as a team. West Indies next for you. Good luck with that.

Thank you. Well that was Harry Brooke. Evidently relieved chatting to NASA Hussein there on the boundary edge. Stephen, it will be a massive relief this to Harry Brook and he was honest about that and recognized the fact that this game had gone close and he was tested as a captain. Absolutely. It tested to stay calm under pressure and that's one thing that you did look at him in particular and Sam Curen when Sam Curham was formulating that final over with Brooke and then when they paused the game in between each delivery to make sure that they were aligned. I never looked to me as there there was panic there. There'd have been a lot going on inside his head about the plans, about the bowlers, about where he wants his field. But I thought him and Cullen in particular at the end there stayed calm and I think that bodes well. And Prakash, the need to be able to cope with those pressure situations is a vital part of any side winning a World Cup. And arguably, part of what Undid India in 20, 23 and 50 over cricket was all a bit easy until the final.

It was. And I think it's important. But to your point, I think what really struck me, Henry, was the composure after the game with which the Nepal captain, Rohit Podel, spoke again with NAS. when we heard that interview as well. It just shows that there is resilience, belief, and the ability to take these kind of closed losses. It obviously hurts a lot, but take it in the spirit of a developmental process

and not believe that everything is lost. We saw tears in Lokesh Baum's eyes as he came off because he was the man there who was tasked with getting those 10 runs and he couldn't, but it was also in most measure because of the way, as you've described, Sam, current bowling, that final over. I think all of that just helps build

that sort of confidence around the group, and I think Nepal can hold themselves really, really proud, and I think the other teams will be very, very, very remember, they play their games all here at the 1KDA Stadium. This is going to be the support they're going to get. So they're

going to be playing with, I don't know, 35,000 people backing them after this performance. There'll probably be more people coming in. Well, I bet there will be. I was up in the stand for a little bit during that second innings when the sixes were flying. It was unbelievable. It really was absolutely sensational. Stephen, normally at this point, I would suggest that Harry Brook would might be buying Sam Curran a beer, but I think given everything over the last few weeks, it maybe isn't the phrase to use. Well, five hours till their curfews. You never know what they might get up to. But look,

I think they'll just be sat in that dressing room evaluating what's gone on. I think also celebrating the fact that it was a close game and that they did manage to take arm in that situation. But yeah, they'd have preferred it was an easier start to the tournament for them than they certainly had today. Ten runs were required from the final over for Nepal to inflict what would have been a major upset on England. Sam Curran was tasked with boling that over. Just five runs came from it.

And he's been speaking to test match specials, Adam Mountford. Sam Curran, well bowled. Never in doubt, was it? I wouldn't say quite about that, but we can laugh now, but I think fair play to Nepal, they were absolutely incredible in that chase, all game. And yeah, I guess we win with the two points, but it just shows how competitive this World Cup's going to be. We saw yesterday as well with a couple of the smaller nations nearly taking down India, the Pakistan, stuff like that.

So it's pretty nerves there, but we've got it done. You've played a lot of international cricket. You've been the player of a tournament. You've played a lot of domestic cricket. You've played a lot of Tentic cricket. But talk us through the pressure of bowling and last over. with one of the biggest shocks in cricket history on the cards. Yeah, it was, to be fair, I kind of, one of those moments where I think you practice

and you hope that you execute and I kind of said to Brookie, I'm backing six Yorkers here and I'll take the hit if I don't execute. And I think you've got to think like that. I weirdly thought of the 2016 final when Carlos got hold of Stokesy and I was kind of thinking, well, if I execute, he's not going to hit me for six. And top of my mark, I just watched his feet and thankfully executed. and those games are great to win, but wow, it would have been a horrible one to lose. Can you just explain to people? People look at it from the outside and say this is a double

world champion winning side, taking on Nepal, obviously a horrible phrase, Mino, and it was that close. Can you explain how that happens? Yeah, it's crazy. I guess when I went to bed last night, we got told kind of around dinner and stuff that it's a full house here. We knew it was going to be full of Nepal fans. I've played a lot of cricket in India. I've never heard an atmosphere quite like it. It was pretty incredible. And I think it just shows the strength and depth of world cricket at the moment. I think the associate nations are playing more often and they're getting so much better and obviously getting exposed to better cricket, better grounds.

And I just thought the way they played our spinners was. And obviously the way they hit the ball so clean, they ran like absolute sprinters in the middle. It was kind of two every ball, then a boundary and we couldn't stop him. And yeah, I think they're a dangerous team throughout this World Cup, so we watch out for them. Talk us through, first of all, I suppose England's batting. Did you think you had enough runs at the halfway stage? Because you actually had a slightly difficult start losing those three wickets. Yeah, we did.

We took it almost, I wouldn't say a punt, but I think we thought runs on the board. We watched India, USA yesterday. We thought a used wicket. I think you look at it now. Obviously, you can't see now, but it's obviously dark and a fraction bit of due. So you could argue the wicket did get slightly better, and maybe we got the toss we could have chased.

But I think that's quite. We laugh about it now, but we take those two points and take great confidence because it wouldn't be a nice dress room this evening. And in terms of the batting, obviously, Jacob Bethel and Harry Brooke with the half century. We all know he's had a challenging few weeks. He'd be very pleased. And his first game was a World Cup winning, a World Cup playing captain, to have a half century. Yeah, exactly. Brookie's doubted with it all brilliantly. I think our big thing is trying to stick with him and trying to support him. Everyone makes those little mistakes, but it's kind of a good six, seven, eight weeks ago now.

And I think we've got to focus on the World Cup and hopefully we can. And I think a win like today, hopefully you can give us a little bit of a wake-up call, but just a good. a nice little we've got the two points and we move on and even someone like jacksy and that's those you look at those six as he hit towards the end in the end it was probably a match-winning knock and beth great knock played the spin really well and yeah again we've lost to learn we play at the same ground on wednesday versus west indies so that'll be exciting as well and in terms in terms of harry as a captain and that's quite a test isn't it and he got through it yeah massively i think um t20 is actually such a tough four match you got to make some tricky calls tough decisions

here and there but um at the end of the day we 11 players out on the field supporting Harry and we've got a lot of experience guys like Joss, myself, with captain around the world and great coaches around him. We're all helping him and yeah, hopefully he can let the back do the talking. And talking about players with experience, I mean, Liam Dawson was first in a World Cup squad 10 years ago. He gets to play his first game, gets a wicket in the first over and actually played quite an important role. Yeah, and we had breakfast with him this morning. I think he was saying it's his first game in a World Cup and he's been involved in so many. So yeah, he's such a quality experience player. He obviously, he probably should have played a lot more

for England throughout his career, but shows his character later on in his career, two for 20 or whatever he got, and he's just such a canny bowler, so clever alongside Rash and the other spinners. So I'm sure he's going to play a huge role in this World Cup. And it shows just how impressive this Nepal batting was, that they got after two of your bankers, really, in Al-Rashid and Joffar Archer. Yeah, it was amazing. I guess that's the hardest thing about these guys playing them. You don't really see them huge amounts. Obviously, you've got there Nepal league that's getting bigger and bigger, which I saw a couple of our English boys have been to

and they said it's fantastic and like I said, some of the shots in the last three, four overs, on the app, off Geoff and then rush, reverse three for six, it's serious stuff and you can't underestimate these guys anymore and fair play to them and I think the other guys in the group, thankfully we passed them now because there'll be a few nervous, nervous other teams,

but I guess that's, we can laugh like I said now, but no doubt that was a cracking game in the World Cups of Life. And as you say, the fact that you've got those two points, you've got through that game. OK, it's a massive scare, but I suppose you take some sort of confidence. Oh, massively.

I think those, I played a lot of T20 cricket. When you win the close ones, it's actually the ones that give you a little boost and a little bit of smile on your face saying, wow, a couple of six is there. We got hit for we can get those away. And yeah, it's exciting. I think we'd be different if we lost, obviously.

But no, I think we're a very honest team with ourselves. We will sit in the dressing room tonight and chat about what we did well, what we can do better and rest day tomorrow. And then we back training. head of West Indies, which I'm sure will be another cracking game. Yeah, and you'll go into that with that confidence, but a difficult challenge, of course, the West Indies. Oh, of course, they're such a powerful dynamic side and we play against them a load around the world. And obviously, the ground like the Wanketti, small, very good wicket.

I'm sure it'll be a few fireworks from both sides. And again, you never know. It will come down to that execution with the ball for both teams. And I think it's not, we had a nice little build up to this World Cup. And I think we've been tested on so many surfaces, pressure situations. You know I'm smiling now, but don't worry. Deep down, I'm very, very nervous. Really well bowled.

Thank you. Cheers. So England get the victory, thanks to the efforts of Curran, not least, but holding his nerve there. And I love the reference to Carlos Brathwaite and the thoughts of 2016 and keeping his nerve and all of those things. Really honest interview, I thought. And that will stand England in good stead and having somebody with that sort of skill at the back end of an innings as well is going to be absolutely vital for them. England relieved. No question about that and they can head to their next match here on Wednesday against West Indies in Mumbai. Speaking of Carlos Brathwaite, a repeat of that 2016 final. That one gets underway at 1.30 in the afternoon, UK time.

So look out for that. I can't wait to bring that one to you. But what about the tournament more widely so far, Bracash? Because we've seen some brilliant games of cricket. We haven't had the big shock. But the first day saw the Netherlands coming so close against Pakistan. We saw a really excellent performance from USA here against India. Scotland gave a good go against West Indies. It's been already thrill a minute. And as Stephen mentioned earlier, the game is so much richer for the opportunity for some of the... And I don't like the phrase, smaller nations, to get the chance to take on some of the full members.

Oh, absolutely. And there can be a debate. that simply cannot be a debate about this anymore, I believe. And I think that the reality is that because of the way the T20 format is played, it sort of evens out the playing field. It gives greater opportunity if you don't necessarily have that sort of cricketing infrastructure where people are coming through the age groups. You've got multiple leagues and clubs.

I was reading somewhere, all the cricket in Italy is played on Astroturf. So when they come out and play on natural grass, it's a very different ball game. So I think much as one would like to see an expanded 50 overwork, but that's for another time. But the reality is I think this T20 format is the one that is going to drive the growth of cricket, in my opinion. And I think it's vital that the ICC and all the other folks that are meant to drive the development of the game

do this wholeheartedly be it with more resources, more funding, more opportunities. And that is how we'll see this game that we all love. I think become a more global sport than what it is today. And a more entertaining sport. Absolutely. Just the jeopardy that we felt and that we've seen over the last 36 hours in this tournament alone where the associate nations and the not quite so developed nations in terms of their cricketing development have run some of the bigger teams really close.

And that jeopardy is something that makes people fascinating in the story of a World Cup. So, yeah, I completely agree with you, Prakash. I think you're right on the 50 over World Cup over a longer period of time that the stronger teams will always or more often than not come out on top. But this tournament, the way it is, I think, is set up really well. And I think if I can just add, I feel that because the associate nation teams, there's greater hunger. There is a lot more riding on these games and these performances

than it is, say, for in England or Australia or India, where I think in certain manner, particularly economically, the players, I'm not suggesting they're not committed, I'm not saying they don't do their best, but I think there's just so much more riding on these performances. We heard about what happened during COVID. Many of the Dutch players, one of them in particular, I believe, was delivering food just to make ends meet.

I mean, these are not professional cricketers. This is not how they earn their living. And to be able to do that, what could they deliver on a cricket pit? Just imagine. Yeah, and it's that continuing argument that is made about opportunity and reward. And it is why we have such deep conversations about things like the situation and the importance of the India-Pakistan match happening because the finances that come into the game because of it

then filter down to give the opportunity for teams like Nepal to develop in the way that we've seen them do. But that is an argument for another day. This tournament is going to see some shocks. It has to because so far we've come to. so close. It's bubbling, isn't it? We said before that first game that there will be a shock result somewhere. It's almost happened again. We almost saw three yesterday. And yeah, Afghanistan and New Zealand earlier, Afghanistan beating someone is no longer a shock. They make knockout ends of

tournaments. So yeah, there will be a shock at some stage and England have avoided that today. Yep, they have and they'll be mighty relieved to have done so as well. Prakash Makanker, Stephen Finn, thank you very much. Indeed, there's going to be so much more from Test Match Special across the rest of the Men's T20 World Cup. Not least, every ball of every game available for you to listen to in this opening phase as well. Three matches a day. 530, 930, 1.30. Those are the times you need to look for. UK time, that is, as we go through the day, enjoying cricket all the way through it. And if you can't get enough of that, then there's podcast as well from Test Match Special, where you can get. get all the analysis and reaction to what we've seen here in India and also in Sri Lanka. And you can still listen back to plenty of content from across the recent Ashes series too.

It is a treasure trove of audio delights, the Test Match special podcast on BBC Sounds. So do look out for that. Thank you so much for listening. England's next game is against West Indies, a 1.30 start on Wednesday here in Mumbai. On paper, that looked like it was going to be a bigger table. in this World Cup group. As it is, I think we've learned that this competition is going to provide thrills and spills. And as the old cliche goes, there's no such thing as an easy game.

Prakash Finney again, thank you so much for joining me. And thank you for listening. We'll speak to you again very soon. The TMS podcast from BBC Radio 5 Live.