As the World Cup 2019 hosts crushed Afghanistan by 150 runs on Tuesday, England captain Eoin Morgan struck a new world record of 17 sixes in an individual one-day international innings. With a win at Old Trafford, England moved ahead of holders Australia in the World Cup group table on net run rate. Morgan’s career-high 148 set the tone for England’s team total of 25 sixes, a new ODI innings record. England’s 397-6 was anchored by the Dubliner’s innings.
That was the greatest total of the tournament so far, and England’s largest at any World Cup, topping their 386-6 victory over Bangladesh in Cardiff 10 days ago.
Even though Afghanistan posted their highest World Cup total of 247-8 despite losing their fifth match in a row, they were never able to reach the requisite run rate.
Hashmatullah Shahidi, 24, was hit on the side of the head by a Mark Wood bouncer and dropped to the ground, which was concerning.
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Shahidi returned to the game in a new helmet after several minutes of on-field treatment.
On his route to 76, Shahidi batted bravely for 68 balls, and his fourth-wicket partnership of 94 with Ashgar Afghan (44) set a World Cup record for any Afghanistan wicket.
Morgan had earlier dominated a third-wicket stand of 189 with Joe Root (88), who contributed only 43 runs to their partnership.
Rashid Khan, Afghanistan’s premier leg-spinner, made an unwelcome record by bowling 0-110 in nine overs, the most expensive return at a World Cup and the second most expensive in all ODI cricket.
Morgan broke the record of 16 sixes in an ODI innings previously held by Rohit Sharma of India, AB de Villiers of South Africa, and Chris Gayle of the West Indies.
When he launched Gulbadin Naib for a flat straight hit over the Afghanistan captain’s head, he broke the record.
Morgan, you’re amazing.
Morgan, though, was bowled by Naib on the following ball, ending a 71-ball innings that included four fours.
Morgan’s performance was all the more spectacular because he was uncertain for this match due to a back spasm he sustained in England’s eight-wicket triumph over the West Indies, during which he was unable to bat.
Morgan’s career-high 148 set the tone for England’s team total of 25 sixes, a new ODI innings record.
Morgan’s innings, which included 118 runs in boundaries, was all the more astonishing given that he was uncertain for this match due to a back spasm he sustained during England’s triumph over the West Indies, during which he was unable to bat.
England accelerated when James Vince was dismissed for 26 after he mishooked paceman Dawlat Zadran to short fine-leg.
“It was a memorable day.” It’s World Cup time. It’s great fun to play in. It’s fun to do on the large stage.”
Morgan’s masterclass was at the heart of England’s 397-6 victory.
That was the greatest total of the tournament so far, and England’s largest at any World Cup, topping their 386-6 victory over Bangladesh in Cardiff 10 days ago.
Even though Afghanistan posted their highest World Cup total of 247-8 despite losing their fifth match in a row, they were never able to reach the requisite run rate.
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Bairstow’s 99-ball innings came to an end when he chipped a return catch to Naib, well short of his eighth ODI century
Morgan settled in quickly after an early mix-up that saw him sent back and tied up with opposition skipper Naib.
He had two sixes off Naib, including a superb drive over long-on.
When the left-hander skied Rashid, Zadran at deep midwicket made such a mess of the catch that the ball bounced out of his hands and over the rope for four, the left-hander should have been out.
Morgan quickly smashed a soaring six off Rashid’s next ball in a 36th over that cost 18 runs, and not even Zadran’s final return of 3-85 could reverse the harm of that expensive blunder.
When Root holed out off Naib, whose 3-68 was a creditable return in the circumstances, he was denied a second consecutive hundred and third of the tournament.
