Kia Oval Talking Points: Chris Jordan drops a reminder and are Pakistan in for a surprise?

The Cricketer looks at the main talking points from the 4th T20 international between England and Pakistan at the Kia Oval

Movement That Inspires play of the day

"If it carries he'll catch it because he's Chris Jordan."

It was a quirk of the schedule that while Surrey were playing Hampshire in their T20 Blast opener at the Utilita Bowl 80 miles down the road, their fast bowler was on their home ground helping his country beat Pakistan.

The 35-year-old was a smart and sensible figure to recall for the Men's T20 World Cup: Able to influence all three components of the game, he is an experienced, reliable figure who will excel on familiar turf. It is win-win as far as Jos Buttler and Matthew Mott are concerned.

And this moment was an example of that. Pakistan were going at nine and over and Usman Khan was looking dangerous as he looked to take on Liam Livingstone.

Usman had really kicked on after the resumption and he looked to clear long-on with a big heave. Having not timed the ball, it looked to be dropping safe. But Jordan, alert to everything, darted in off the rope and took a brilliant low catch. Livingstone led the applause from the crowd and from that moment the tourists' innings nose-dived.

Not a bad way for Usman Khan to restart after the rain delay 🤩🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/KTkt2K6HLN

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) May 30, 2024

Take The Lead, Drive Electric moment of the day

Having lost two of the opening three T20Is to rain, England had to find a way of getting overs into the legs of certain members of their attack, to ensure they were not rusty heading to the Caribbean.

And though there was no opportunity afforded to Reece Topley, Jofra Archer bowled 3.5 overs and Jordan three.

But perhaps most important was the four bowled by Mark Wood, who had admitted before the game he was desperate to be involved having not played since the India Test tour.

"Hopefully, the rain stays away and we get some practice ready for the World Cup," he said.

The weather gods, despite some scares, responded and the Durham seamer got some important reps in before the tournament. Indeed, he looked as good as ever, hitting 95mph and really troubling the Pakistan line-up.

The ball which got Azam Khan was a brutal bouncer which snagged his glove. And Naseem Shah went a similar way, as Buttler took a simple catch.

Pakistan remain a beautiful mixed-bag

Unsurprisingly, it has been an uncertain build-up to the tournament for Pakistan, who no one can really be certain about as they embark on the T20 World Cup.

They go into the tournament having drawn a tightly-contested home series against New Zealand, won in Ireland (though they lost the first T20I in Dublin) and humbled by England.

All eyes are on that meeting with Pakistan in New Zealand in a week or so - security has been increased for the clash - but the other group matches against United States, Canada and Ireland could be uncomfortable affairs. In fact, when you think about potential upsets over the next four weeks, you might not need to look much further.

This report was brought to you in association with Kia – to find out more about why Kia is a leader in electrification, visit www.kia.com

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