Thursday 18 June 2015

Morgan, Root inspire England's record chase

England entered what for them was uncharted territory when they successfully chased a target of 350 against New Zealand in the fourth Royal London ODI at Trent Bridge. It was the fourth-highest chase ever and came in England, which traditionally has not offered up such gifts readily. And they did not just chase it, they marmalised it. A seven-wicket came up with indecent haste with six overs to spare. What is going on?
What Alex Hales and Jason Roy began - Hales the dominant factor in an opening stand of 100 by the 11th over - Eoin Morgan all but completed. "You beauty," he cried as he smashed Matt Henry into the stands at deep midwicket to complete his eighth ODI hundred. He has four scores of 50-plus in the series; no England captain has achieved that before. England have four scores of 300 on the bounce. Australia have managed six, Sri Lanka five, but this is unheralded for England.
Alongside Joe Root, whose own unbeaten century was almost an afterthought, Morgan assembled a third-wicket stand of 198 in 27 overs, Root possessing finesse, Morgan a captain carrying the fight. For English cricket, this was not just any old century; it was an affirmation, a commitment to audacity that so entirely escaped England in an abject World Cup challenge. Then Morgan looked a captain out of sorts. Now he bats as if truly empowered, his 113 from 82 balls coming to grief with 41 needed when he hooked Tim Southee to fine leg.

Eoin Morgan scored a century off 73 balls as England successfully chased 350 at Trent Bridge 

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