Eoin Morgan broke the record for the number of sixes in a one-day international with an astonishing display of hitting in England’s 150-run World Cup win over Afghanistan.
The captain hammered 17 sixes in making 148 from 71 balls, his outrageous and audacious ball-striking providing stunning entertainment to an Old Trafford crowd that lapped it up.
Morgan went past the previous best of 16, jointly held by Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers and Rohit Sharma, and England’s total of 25 sixes also set a new record for any team in an ODI inning.
Jonny Bairstow made 90 and Joe Root 88 as the hosts racked up 397-6, their highest total in a World Cup match, bettering the 386-6 they piled on against Bangladesh only 10 days ago.
There was never any danger of Afghanistan even getting close to succeeding in the run-chase and they ended a processional second half of the game on 247-8.
Victory against Sri Lanka at Headingley on Friday’s will leave Morgan’s men on the verge of the semi-finals.
Afghanistan remains rooted to the bottom, having lost all five of their games.
Taken in isolation, Morgan’s performance was awesome, yet it was made all the more impressive by two things.
Firstly, this was the same player that was debilitated by a back spasm in Friday’s win over West Indies. He could barely walk up the pavilion steps, was unable to sit in his post-match news conference and was a doubt to play in this game.
In addition, it was a complete contrast to the first part of England’s innings. For as comfortable as Bairstow and Root were on a used wicket against some respectable bowling, their progress was little more than sedate.
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England beat Afghanistan by 150 runs at the Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester on Tuesday. With this win, the hosts have moved up to the top of the points table, with 8 points from five matches. Afghanistan remains stuck at the bottom of the table, with 0 points from five matches.
Toss: England captain Eoin Morgan won the toss and elected to bat first.
First Innings: Skipper Eoin Morgan pulverized the Afghanistan attack and smashed 148 off 71 balls as England posted a massive 397/6. Morgan slammed record 17 sixes during his sensational knock that saw Afghanistan bowlers being hit all over the park. Jonny Bairstow (90) and Joe Root (88) also chipped with fine innings. For Afghanistan Gulbadin Naib and Dawlat Zadran bagged three wickets each. continue reading…
Source – BBC
