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12:58 PM BST
OVER 47: AFG 263/7 (Mujeeb 23 Ikram 50)
It looks like Afghanistan will get a similar total to the one they got on this ground the other day against India, which ended with India winning comfortably.
Mujeeb takes a big swipe off the bowling of Wood and it flies off the outside edge for four down to a fine third-man. Another edge, this time off the inside edge down to fine-leg for a single. That was a great yorker from Wood and Mujeeb just got his bat onto it.
More luck for Afghanistan. Ikram tries to get out of the way of a bouncer and it flies off his gloves over the head of Buttler for two. Wood has been so unlucky in this over not to get a couple of wickets. Ikram has brought up his fifty.
12:53 PM BST
OVER 46: AFG 255/7 (Mujeeb 18 Ikram 47)
Curran will continue from the other end. He bowls a slower ball into the wicket but Mujeeb is waiting and swats him away for four through cow corner. He then slashes a no-ball over third-man for four. Free hit coming up which he smashes for six. This is hopeless from Curran. Him and Woakes have been appalling tonight.
That was a big over for Afghanistan, 18 runs in total.
12:47 PM BST
OVER 45: AFG 237/7 (Mujeeb 2 Ikram 46)
That was Adil Rashid’s third wicket of the night. He has been superb tonight. It has been a long time since he has bowled this well. That is the end of his spell and he finishes up with figures of 10 overs, one maiden, 3-42.
12:43 PM BST
Wicket
Rashid Khan c Root b Adil Rashid 22 What a stunning catch from Joe Root! Rashid Khan advances down the wicket and hits towards long-on. Root runs round to his right and at full stretch pulls off a great diving catch. FOW 233/7
12:41 PM BST
Live from Delhi
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“Lots of positives for England after the poor start but Liam Livingstone’s bowling was among the most significant with the rest of the tournament in mind. He bowled his 10 overs straight through, showing extra control – with both leg spin and off spin – and only conceding 33 runs. He could have had more than one wicket, too, but for Jos Buttler’s missed stumping when Ikram Alikhil had 23.”
12:41 PM BST
OVER 44: AFG 233/6 (Rashid 23 Ikram 44)
Curran is coming back into the attack to replace Topley. He has bowled just two overs today and it is safe to say they were not great, going for 26 runs. Can he improve his figures here?
A good return for Curran in that over. Just two singles conceded.
12:36 PM BST
OVER 43: AFG 231/6 (Rashid 22 Ikram 43)
Adil Rshid strays onto Rashid Khan’s pads and he flicks it away for two. This is a great battle between two great leg-spinners, although their bowling style is slightly different. The umpires are not happy. Throughout this innings Afghanistan have constantly been running straight down the middle of the wicket.
12:32 PM BST
OVER 42: AFG 227/6 (Rashid 19 Ikram 42)
Really nice shot from Ikram. This time he late cuts to Rashid’s left at third-man and it runs away for four. After that four from the first ball Topley keeps it tight going for just another couple of runs.
12:28 PM BST
OVER 41: AFG 221/6 (Rashid 19 Ikram 36)
Adil Rashid comes on to replace Wood. He has bowled brilliantly today and has three overs remaining. Just singles from that over, five of them. Another good over from Rashid. England will be happy to only concede five runs an over from here on in.
12:24 PM BST
OVER 40: AFG 216/6 (Rashid 17 Ikram 33)
Ikram manages to squeeze a late cut down to third-man which beats Rashid and goes for four. Ten overs to go and into the final powerplay. What total will Afghanistan reach?
12:18 PM BST
OVER 39: AFG 207/6 (Rashid 15 Ikram 27)
Just three singles off that Wood over.
12:16 PM BST
OVER 39: AFG 205/6 (Rashid 14 Ikram 26)
We have a stoppage in play here as Ikram is hit on the shoulder by Wood and is clearly wounded.
12:12 PM BST
OVER 38: AFG 204/6 (Rashid 13 Ikram 26)
Another slightly fortunate boundary for Rashid. He gets cuts Livingstone away just past Wood for four. That is the end of Livingstone’s spell and a great one at that. 1-33 from his 10 overs, exactly what Buttler was after and probably more.
12:09 PM BST
OVER 37: AFG 198/6 (Rashid 8 Ikram 25)
First ball to Rashid Khan is dispatched through cover for four. What a fantastic shot. Wood is steaming in as he goes just past the edge of Rashid’s bat. This is quick! Rashid is rather lucky to squeeze a ball between two fielders behind square on the offside for four.
12:05 PM BST
Wicket
Nabi c Root b Wood 9 Too quick for Nabi! He tries to pull Wood but the ball is too fast onto him and it loops up to Root in a gully position for an easy catch. FOW 190/6
12:02 PM BST
OVER 36: AFG 190/5 (Nabi 9 Ikram 25)
An opportunity missed for England. Livingstone gets another one to turn past Ikram’s edge but Buttler cannot take the stumping chance. He should have had that.
11:59 AM BST
OVER 35: AFG 186/5 (Nabi 7 Ikram 23)
Wood has now come back on to bowl, replacing Root. On a couple of occasions Wood goes juts past the outside edge of Nabi’s bat. Three runs from Wood’s first over back into the attack.
11:55 AM BST
OVER 34: AFG 183/5 (Nabi 6 Ikram 21)
Five singles picked up for Afghanistan from that Livingstone over. England have certainly got a good grip on this game that they did not have 20 overs ago, but they cannot afford to let go of that grip.
11:52 AM BST
OVER 33: AFG 178/5 (Nabi 4 Ikram 18)
Nabi sees off a few dot balls off Root at the start of his innings before sweeping over square leg for four to get him going.
11:47 AM BST
Wicket
Hashmat b Root 14 He has got him! Hashmat has really struggled. He only managed 14 runs from 36 balls and the old phrase rings true; you miss, I hit! FOW 174/5
11:46 AM BST
OVER 32: AFG 174/4 (Hashmat 14 Ikram 18)
Livingstone, in the middle of a great spell, continues. Only four runs comes of that over and he has only conceded 18 runs in his seven overs.
11:44 AM BST
OVER 31: AFG 170/4 (Hashmat 13 Ikram 15)
Root’s third over goes for just three runs. It looks like Buttler and Bairstow have been having a chat with Wood, suggesting the speedster from Ashington could be about to come back on to bowl very soon.
11:40 AM BST
OVER 30: AFG 167/4 (Hashmat 12 Ikram 13)
Livingstone has bowled some absolute beauties today and another one nearly dismisses Ikram, just turning past the edge of the bat and off stump. Buttler will be loving the job the part-time spinner is doing.
11:37 AM BST
OVER 29: AFG 166/4 (Hashmat 12 Ikram 12)
Root drags it down and Ikram dispatches him over mid-wicket for six. That ball deserved to be whacked and Ikram obliged.
11:35 AM BST
OVER 28: AFG 159/4 (Hashmat 12 Ikram 5)
Livingstone is bowling a great spell here. Just two runs from his latest over gives him figures of 1-13 from his five overs.
11:33 AM BST
OVER 27: AFG 157/4 (Hashmat 11 Ikram 4)
Woakes’ return lasted one over and Joe Root has come on to replace him. Spin is working wonders for England today. Will Buttler be thinking he should have picked another spinner in the shape of Moeen Ali? A good first over from Root is ruined as Ikram gets off the mark with a cut past point for four.
11:29 AM BST
Wicket
Azmat c Woakes b Livingstone 19 Another wicket for England. Azmat tries to take on Livingstone down the ground but picks out Woakes on the long-off boundary. Afghanistan head coach Jonathan Trott does not look particularly impressed with that shot! FOW 152/4
11:26 AM BST
OVER 25: AFG 149/3 (Hashmat 8 Azmat 18)
Woakes comes back into the attack and his return has a similar look already to his initial spell. His slower balls have not worked and once again he is dispatched. He is smashed over long-on for six by Azmat.
Woakes looks all over the place in this World Cup so far. Is his place under threat? Now he is too wide and Azmat hits him through point for four. Woakes has gone for 41 runs in four overs.
11:20 AM BST
OVER 24: AFG 139/3 (Hashmat 8 Azmat 8)
Four singles for that Livingstone over. He has gone for just eight runs in three overs.
11:19 AM BST
Not out
It was not turning too much but the ball was going over. That looked a very good shout, both in real time and on replay but it was adjudged to be missing over the top of the stumps. England lose their review.
11:18 AM BST
OVER 24: AFG 137/3 (Hashmat 7 Azmat 7)
Livingstone bowls an absolute ripper and England appeal for an LBW. The umpire says no but Buttler will review. Let’s see…
11:16 AM BST
OVER 23: AFG 135/3 (Hashmat 6 Azmat 6)
Six runs for Afghanistan off Rashid’s seventh over. They need Hashmat and Azmat to build a strong partnership here.
11:13 AM BST
OVER 22: AFG 129/3 (Hashmat 3 Azmat 4)
England are really starting to turn the screw here. Just two runs from the latest Livingstone over. After 16 overs Afghanistan were 111/0. Six overs later they have lost three wickets and scored just 18 runs.
11:10 AM BST
OVER 21: AFG 127/3 (Hashmat 2 Azmat 3)
After a dismal start to the innings, Rashid and Wood have really pulled this game back. Rashid’s figures through six overs are 2-23. This is probably the best he has bowled in a long time.
11:07 AM BST
OVER 20: AFG 125/3 (Hashmat 1 Azmat 2)
Liam Livingstone has come on to replace Wood. In the last 24 balls there have been just 14 runs for the loss of three wickets. Just a couple of runs from Livingstone’s first over. Another bit of good news for England is that Topley has returned to the field.
11:05 AM BST
OVER 19: AFG 123/3 (Hashmat 0 Azmat 1)
This game has completely changed in the space of a few overs. Afghanistan were 114/0 not long ago.
11:03 AM BST
Wicket
Gurbaz Run Out Willey 80 What was I just saying? You get one wicket and a number can quickly fall. Two wickets in two balls. Hashmat calls Gurbaz through for a single that was never on and he is run out by substitute fielder Willey by a mile. Gurbaz is rightly livid with his captain. Big break for England and exactly the wicket they wanted. FOW 122/3
11:00 AM BST
Wicket
Rahmat st Buttler b Rashid 3 Brilliant bowling and brilliant keeping. Rashid turns one away from Rahmat and Buttler is so quick behind the stumps to whip off the bails before Rahmat can get his foot back into his crease. This is what England needed. FOW 122/2
10:58 AM BST
Live from Delhi
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“It’s been a torrid day for England so far – although it’s worth saying the pitch looks an absolute belter. A relief for England is Reece Topley, who has been England’s best bowler this tournament, is set to return to the field. After injuring himself attempting a dive, Topley was assessed by the physio checking his right knee. Happily he seems OK.”
10:56 AM BST
OVER 18: AFG 122/1 (Gurbaz 80 Rahmat 3)
Good fielding on the third-man boundary from Root prevents a four. Two more to Gurbaz. He gets another couple with a slightly miscued pull to deep backward square leg. England need the wicket of Gurbaz here as he is flying. What a superb innings.
10:52 AM BST
OVER 17: AFG 115/1 (Gurbaz 75 Rahmat 1)
Rahmat comes out for his 100th ODI for Afghanistan and he gets underway second ball with a single down to long-on. This is better from England but they have a lot of hard work ahead. They need to keep taking wickets.
10:49 AM BST
Wicket
Zadran c Root b Rashid 28 Finally a breakthrough for England! That pressure does tell. Zadran tries to smash Rashid over mid-wicket but he finds Root in that position. Can England build on this wicket? FOW 114/1
10:47 AM BST
Michael Vaughan on BBC TMS
“England’s struggles are a mixture of everything. It’s probably the flattest type of pitch you see in India, this England attack doesn’t look suited to it. Chris Woakes looks short of gallop and the bowlers who have success on here have genuine pace or those who angle it into the stumps. Reece Topley, though, has been excellent.
“Sometimes you have to be open and honest to accept there are certain bowlers who struggle. I thought going into this World Cup that England’s batting would be dominant in India but I thought it was their bowling that would let them down.”
10:46 AM BST
OVER 16: AFG 111/0 (Gurbaz 74 Zadran 26)
Fortunate for Afghanistan as Gurbaz gets a glove on a ball down the leg-side that beats Topley at fine-leg for four.
Oh no! Topley looks like he has hurt himself. He immediately signals to the dressing room and is limping off with what looks like a knee injury. He has been unlucky with injuries, including missing England’s T20 World Cup success in Australia. It would be a surprise to see him back in action today and who knows for the rest of the tournament. His dad Don is in the stands and he looks concerned for his son.
10:41 AM BST
OVER 15: AFG 106/0 (Gurbaz 69 Zadran 26)
This is better, tighter bowling from England. Rashid follows up a good over from Wood with a maiden. England will be hoping that a build-up of pressure can create a breakthrough.
10:36 AM BST
OVER 14: AFG 106/0 (Gurbaz 69 Zadran 26)
Better over for England. Wood is steaming in and his latest over goes for just four runs. They need a breakthrough to stem the flow of runs. As we saw yesterday in the India vs Pakistan game, one wicket can bring a few. Pakistan lost eight wickets for 36 runs yesterday so England will know if they can get one wicket a few more could follow.
Time for drinks.
10:30 AM BST
OVER 13: AFG 102/0 (Gurbaz 67 Zadran 24)
Not only is the pitch a great batting deck, but there are also quite short boundaries and Gurbaz has taken advantage of one on the leg-side. He picks up Rashid for six over deep mid-wicket. The hundred is up for Afghanistan inside 13 overs.
10:26 AM BST
OVER 12: AFG 93/0 (Gurbaz 59 Zadran 23)
Mark Wood is now being brought on to replace Topley, who to be fair bowled reasonably well. Buttler will be hoping for a devastating spell from his speedster.
He bangs the third ball in short but Gurbaz uppercuts over third-man for six. Terrific batting from Gurbaz on what looks like a road of a pitch.
10:21 AM BST
OVER 11: AFG 86/0 (Gurbaz 52 Zadran 23)
Adil Rashid has come to replace Curran, who bowled two terrible overs before being replaced. Four fielders now allowed outside the circle. England’s problems continue as Gurbaz sweeps Rashid away to bring up a fantastic fifty off just 33 balls.
England dare I say it look a bit shell-shocked. They need to establish some control.
10:18 AM BST
OVER 10: AFG 79/0 (Gurbaz 46 Zadran 22)
That is the end of the first powerplay and what a start from Afghanistan. England have been as bad as Afghanistan have been good. Complete opposite starts for the two teams.
10:16 AM BST
Live from Delhi
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“Magnificent controlled hitting from Gurbaz, justifying his standing as Afghanistan’s finest batter. England’s lengths in the Powerplay, once again, have been much too inconsistent. Chris Woakes is seen as England’s new-ball banker so his struggles are a growing concern: he now has combined figures of 11-0-95-1 in the Powerplay so far this World Cup.”
10:14 AM BST
OVER 9: AFG 75/0 (Gurbaz 46 Zadran 19)
To sum up England’s abysmal start to this match, Curran has now bowled a no-ball so a free hit is coming. England are certainly on the back-foot at the moment. Zadran flashes at the free hit and Buttler gets a glove on it to prevent it running away for four.
I tell you what, these two young Afghanistan batsmen are playing superbly. Gurbaz drills another drive through cover for four. England could have bowled better for sure, but do not take anything away from Afghanistan.
That is terrible bowling as Curran strays onto the pads and Gurbaz flicks him away for four with fine-leg inside the circle. Yet more pain for England, joy for Afghanistan. Gurbaz pulls Curran away for six over deep square-leg. What are we watching? Dross is the answer from an England perspective. Curran has come on to replace Woakes and has gone for 26 runs in two oevers.
10:08 AM BST
OVER 8: AFG 55/0 (Gurbaz 29 Zadran 17)
Another brilliant shot for four. Gurbaz times a drive through point off Topley for four. Again not a bad ball, just great batting. Tight bowling though from Topley for the rest of the over.
10:03 AM BST
OVER 7: AFG 51/0 (Gurbaz 25 Zadran 17)
Unsurprisingly Woakes has been replaced just three overs into his spell by Curran. Left-arm now from both ends. But it is the same story. Zadran drills a brilliant drive through cover for four. Not a bad ball, just a great shot. This looks a very good batting surface, as the previous two games on this ground in this tournament so far have proven.
Afghanistan bring up fifty inside seven overs. They could not have dreamt of a better start to this match.
09:58 AM BST
OVER 6: AFG 45/0 (Gurbaz 24 Zadran 12)
What a delightful shot from Zadran off the first ball of Topley’s third over. On the up he drives through cover point for four. Topley then overcorrects and sends a wide down the leg-side.
Topley drops short and Gurbaz slashes him away through point for four. Too short, too wide. It was very close to Root who should have got a hand on that. Everything about England has been poor so far; poor bowling, poor fielding.
09:54 AM BST
OVER 5: AFG 35/0 (Gurbaz 20 Zadran 7)
Woakes has gone for 21 in his first two overs. And on the second ball of his third over he tries a slower ball but it is drilled over cover for four by Gurbaz. Next ball is a repeat. Slower ball dispatched through cover point this time for four more. Woakes has no rhythm. Buttler has to take him out of the attack. Woakes has gone for 31 runs in just three overs.
09:50 AM BST
OVER 4: AFG 25/0 (Gurbaz 11 Zadran 6)
Although Woakes has struggled, Topley has again looked comfortable, like he did against Bangladesh. Just four runs from his second over of the day. How many overs will Buttler give Woakes?
09:45 AM BST
OVER 3: AFG 21/0 (Gurbaz 9 Zadran 5)
Gurbaz charges down the wicket at Woakes but he does not time at well. It lands safely just beyond the fielders in the ring on the off-side and they run through for two.
He does not mis-time this shot though. Woakes drops a bit short and Gurbaz climbs into and smashes a pull over mid-wicket for the first six of the match. This has been another sloppy start from Woakes as he strays down the leg-side for another wide. He then drops short and wide and Zadran cuts him away for four. Bairstow should have stopped that at point even though it took a slightly awkward bounce. Sloppy is an apt way to describe this start from England.
09:40 AM BST
OVER 2: AFG 7/0 (Gurbaz 1 Zadran 1)
Reece Topley opens up from the other end. He was fantastic the other day against Bangladesh where he took four wickets. He looked to have a lot more rhythm than Woakes. I think that is what you call a tidy start from the left-arm seam of Topley; a maiden over.
09:36 AM BST
Live from Delhi
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“Another problem with England’s kits. This time, the front of the shirts has been sorted out – but the fonts on the back, with the players’ names on, are different. If it looks schoolboy, so was the first wall: a wide down the leg side from Chris Woakes, which Jos Buttler couldn’t take cleanly and went away for four wides.”
09:36 AM BST
OVER 1: AFG 7/0 (Gurbaz 1 Zadran 1)
Chris Woakes will open up with the ball for England. Here we go in Delhi. Two young batsmen for Afghanistan, both Gurbaz and Zadran aged just 21.
What a sloppy start from England! Woakes send it down the leg-side for a wide and Buttler cannot get hold of it and it runs away for five wides. Five runs on the board without a ball being bowled or even hitting the ball.
A few balls later Gurbaz flashes at a wide ball that flies one-bounce down to Topley at third-man. Much better line and length from Woakes for the rest of the over. Both batsmen are under way with a single each.
09:28 AM BST
Time for the game
Anthems done and we are ready for action in Delhi. England are bowling first.
09:26 AM BST
Former England bowler Steven Finn on BBC TMS
“We saw a high-scoring game here between South Africa and Sri Lanka. This pitch also looks like a belter. I think Afghanistan will give themselves every opportunity but will face a fired up Reece Topley and Chris Woakes’ booming outswingers. They will want to get a good score on the board then hope their spinners can play a part.”
09:25 AM BST
Time for the anthems
Afghanistan up first, followed by England’s God Save the King.
09:24 AM BST
Reminder of the team news
England: Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (capt & wk), Liam Livingstone, Chris Woakes, Sam Curran, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Reece Topley.
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi.
09:23 AM BST
Familiar face in Afghanistan ranks
England fans will recognise a certain member of the Afghanistan coaching staff. Former England batsman Jonathan Trott is the current Afghanistan head coach and he has been talking all about his current role and his hopes of becoming the England head coach one day.
09:19 AM BST
Afghanistan team news
09:18 AM BST
On the ground
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“Morning from Delhi. England have won the toss and will bowl. They’re unchanged – which means that Ben Stokes’s wait for his first appearance in this World Cup continues. Chris Woakes has recovered from his illness, which means that David Willey’s wait for his ODI World Cup debut continues.”
09:14 AM BST
Woakes trying new things
Chris Woakes picked up two wickets in the win over Bangladesh. He has not been at his best so far in the tournament in terms of his rhythm but he is still a leader in the bowling attack. He has been talking about working on a new ball.
09:11 AM BST
The thoughts of Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi
“We want to put England under pressure – above 300 would be a good target as we have good spinning options. We are hopeful we can get a bit more turn in the second innings.”
09:11 AM BST
No Stokes
Sky Sports’ Mike Atherton, who is out in Delhi, has just said that Ben Stokes was very close to returning today. He believes had today been a crunch game, he would have played.
09:08 AM BST
The view from Jos Buttler at the toss
“We’re going to bowl first, no particularly reason, it looks like a good wicket and we want to chase.
Team news?:
“We’ve gone with an unchanged team.
Thoughts on the pitch?:
“It’s looked like a pretty good batting wicket so far, South Africa put on a big score here, India looked good chasing here too. We looked good in the last match and we want to back that up.
Key to winning today?:
“We want to keep our momentum, we pride ourselves on our intensity and we want to keep that going today.”
09:07 AM BST
England team news
As Jos Buttler has just declared, England remain unchanged so no Ben Stokes.
09:04 AM BST
England win the toss
The coin has gone up and it falls down in the favour of England, who choose to bowl first. England captain Jos Buttler says he fancies a chase. England are unchanged from a dominant win over Bangladesh last time out. That means there is still no Ben Stokes, who was expected to return from injury today.
08:55 AM BST
Just got to keep winning
England are one from two heading into today’s game against Afghanistan in Delhi. A chastening defeat to New Zealand in Ahmedabad in the opening game of the 2023 Cricket World Cup was followed by a convincing win over Bangladesh in Dharamshala. England know they cannot afford to slip up today against an Afghanistan side that has lost their opening two fixtures to Bangladesh and India respectively.
Afghanistan’s defeat to India on Wednesday by eight wickets came at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi where today’s game is, so they should be slightly more attuned to conditions.
These two sides met at Old Trafford in 2019. Eoin Morgan blasted a magnificent hundred, England’s fastest ever in 50-over World Cups, as England strolled to victory by 150 runs. England’s total that day, 397-6, was their highest ever at a 50-over World Cup.
One of the main talking points going into this World Cup was the trend of home winners. The last three tournaments have been won by the home nation; India in 2011, Australia in 2015 and England in 2019. India were seen as favourites going into the tournament and their emphatic win over bitter rivals Pakistan yesterday made it three wins from three for the hosts.
England seamer Chris Woakes, who was part of England’s 2019 World Cup winning side, knows that familiar conditions will suit sides like India but he wants to knock them off their perch.
“It’s an incredibly tough challenge to win in India. Naturally, I think the sub-continental teams will feel more at home with the conditions.”
“That makes it extremely hard for us to knock them off their perch, so to speak. But we’ve got the squad and the players to be able to compete. People have looked at us for a while and we’ve had a little bit of a target on our back as a white-ball team, around the world.
“It’s a tough competition to win isn’t it? Especially here. But we’ll give it a good crack. We’re taking it each game as it comes. Naturally, people have got expectations of us and we’ve certainly got our own expectations of ourselves.”
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