Earlier, England breached the 200-run barrier, but their batting display was far from convincing after opting to bat first, particularly through the middle overs. Phil Salt raced off the traps early, smashing the first ball of the innings to the fence, but there was no respite for Jos Buttler, whose poor run of form continued. In what was an encore of his dismissal against Scotland, he miscued Grant Stewart’s first delivery into the hands of mid-off. Jacob Bethell, however, kept the momentum going before England cashed in on Stewart with a 17-run fifth over that took them to 50.
