We were clinical, says Morgan after series win against India
leeds — England captain Eoin Morgan says his team was simply “clinical” in the series-clinching win over India in the third and final ODI here, a feat that was achieved after quickly learning from the “mistakes” committed in the first two games.
India lost by eight wickets as England rode on Joe Root’s 13th ODI century to chase down a target of 257 in 44.3 overs last night. The series ended 2-1 in the home team’s favour. “We started poorly. As the series has gone on we have improved. It is a benefit of playing a bilateral series,” Morgan said.
“That constant improvement has been brilliant since Trent Bridge. Today I thought it was clinical, right from the get go. Mark Wood got the ball swinging with David Willey for three or four overs and India never seemed to get away from us from there,” he added.
Root and Morgan were involved in an unbeaten 186-run partnership. It was the second consecutive hundred for Root after his effort at the Lord’s, and it puts him in good stead for the five-Test series beginning on August 1.
“I think it is extremely encouraging (for the Test series). The composure he’s shown, particularly in the last two games, is the Joe Root we know and trust. He’s been outstanding even when he’s been low on runs, around the group he’s been the same guy, hungry for runs and hopefully that continues for the rest of the summer,” Morgan said. With yesterday’s knock, Root went top of the list among English batsmen to score ODI hundreds.
When asked if he was the best in that list, Morgan replied, “I think it’s difficult to say because we’ve guys that were halfway through their careers that have huge potential that can be as good as Joe, or even be better, or have more contributions.” —