When England head to the men’s T20 World Cup later this year, Eoin Morgan’s men will look to emulate the Class of 2010.
Paul Collingwood’s side went to the tournament in the Caribbean in May and returned home as world champions – England’s men finally had an ICC title. A key part of that side was the opening combination of Michael Lumb and Craig Kieswetter, but just months earlier they’d been putting England to the sword.
In February, England Lions took on England in a T20 in Abu Dhabi, where Jonathan Trott and Joe Denly – the latter the Test No.3 at the time and the former taking that same role nearly a whole decade later – were England’s opening combination.
Luke Wright was the most impressive England batsman on show, smashing 42 not off just 21 balls to help secure a final total of 157-6. The leading Lions bowler was a leg-spinner who ended up winning a World Cup nine years later – Adil Rashid finished with figures of 3-22.
Out came Lumb and Kieswetter – both uncapped – for the Lions and they tore into the England bowlers in the chase. Kieswetter smashed 81 off just 66 deliveries, while Lumb, who had to temporarily retire hurt after a blow to the chin, ended up unbeaten on 58 in what ended up being a five-wicket win.
Days later Kieswetter was picked for an England tour of Bangladesh, and Lumb would join him in the senior ranks for the World T20. Not long after, they were both world champions.
