LONDON: England cruised to a nine-wicket win over Afghanistan in their final World Cup warm-up at The Oval on Monday after a Jofra Archer-led bowling attack restricted the underdogs to 160.

Opener Jason Roy smashed an unbeaten 46-ball 89, studded with 11 fours and four sixes, and Joe Root finished on 29 not out as England chased down the total with 32.3 overs to spare.

After defeat to Australia in their previous warm-up game, Roy was pleased with his team’s all-round display ahead of Thursday’s World Cup opener against South Africa at the same venue.

After England captain Eoin Morgan won the toss and opted to field, Archer and Root’s part-time off-spin delivered three wickets apiece in bowler-friendly conditions.

Barbados-born fast bowler Archer struck twice with the new ball, drawing a top edge from Hazratullah Zazai before wicket-keeper/batsman Rahmat Shah holed out to mid-on.

The wheels came off the Afghanistan innings when they lost four wickets in the space of just eight deliveries, with Hashmatullah Shahidi (19) and Najibullah Zadran (1) carelessly run out.

Captain Gulbadin Naib (14) was caught at long-on to Moeen Ali and Rashid Khan edged Root to slip for a golden duck. Root claimed his third wicket as Aftab Alam chipped straight to point.

Mohammad Nabi offered some resistance with a 42-ball 44, which included three sixes, but he was the last man out when a thick edge off Archer found Jonny Bairstow at deep third-man.

Earlier in the day, England’s medical department delivered some positive news as seamer Mark Wood was declared fit to face South Africa.

The 29-year-old Durham bowler had left the field after feeling discomfort in his left foot against Australia but scans have shown no sign of injury.

The Durham quick left the field early while running in to bowl during Saturday’s warm-up defeat by Australia in Southampton after suffering a foot injury.

Wood’s injury-plagued career has been blighted by a history of repeated ankle problems but hospital scans saw the 29-year-old given the all clear for Thursday’s opening match of the World Cup.

Wood was scheduled to bowl during the warm-up immediately before Monday’s practice match against Afghanistan but will not play any part in the fixture itself.

Wood has been one of England’s quickest bowlers of recent years.

But fears over his ability to stay fit for prolonged periods remain and he has bowled a mere 13.1 overs since the start of the season in a bid to reduce his workload prior to the World Cup.

Published in Dawn, May 28th, 2019