England send a world warning
ENGLAND were simply out of this world as they set up this crushing, series-clinching 169-run win against Pakistan by smashing the highest total in one-day international history.
Eoin Morgan’s side have undergone a stunning transformation in 50-over cricket since the humiliating first-round exit from the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand 18 months ago.
This performance took their progress to another level as they smashed a record 444-3 against a punch-drunk Pakistan side who are not only 3-0 down but also out for the count in this five-match series.
It was Alex Hales who landed the most decisive blows, the opener creating his own slice of history with a power-packed innings of 171, including 26 boundaries, that represented the highest ODI score by an England batsman.
Hales eclipsed the 23-year landmark set by Robin Smith against Australia at Edgbaston in 1993 during a 122-ball lesson in brutality that softened up Pakistan’s bowling attack for a trademark late assault from Jos Buttler.
England’s limitedovers wicketkeeper is the owner of his country’s three fastest ODI hundreds. He can now add the quickest England half-century in this format to his collection, Buttler reaching 50 in just 22 balls on his way to a stunning knock of 90 that helped England surpass the previous ODI record total of 443-9 set by Sri Lanka against the Netherlands in 2006.
Joe Root piled in with 85 from 86 balls, the Yorkshireman’s fifth successive one-day half-century. Morgan came to the party as well during this run-fest with 57 from 27 balls.
Amid the carnage, Pakistan produced a fielding display that provided enough bloopers for an entire series of ‘You’ve Been Framed’.
Hales was good but he was also dropped twice before reaching 100 and dismissed off a no-ball on 75, Wahab Riaz the offender.
Wahab also bowled Buttler on 75, again a front-foot noball reprieving the batsman, during a horror display that saw him concede 110 runs from his 10 overs – the second most expensive bowling performance in ODI history. In truth, though, England were always going to impose their will on a Pakistan team who are ranked ninth in the world.
Morgan’s men started their one-day renaissance against New Zealand at Edgbaston last summer, a match that saw them surpass 400 for the first time. This was only the second time they had achieved the feat but four of England’s six highest ODI totals have now come in the past 18 months.
With the Champions Trophy coming up on home soil next summer and the World Cup two years later, England are realistic contenders to win their first major global 50-over tournament. The power on display here as they smashed 240 runs from the final 20 overs of their innings was a warning shot across the bows of every other nation.
Sharjeel Khan did weigh in with a spirited 26-ball half-century when Pakistan started what was always going to be a forlorn run chase. But by the time he was dismissed at the end of the 10th over, his side were 83-3, Chris Woakes taking all three scalps.
Ben Stokes, bowling again after playing as a batsman in the first two ODIs, also claimed a first wicket since overcoming a calf injury last month.
Mohammad Amir smashed the highest score by a No11 in ODI history, but his 58 during a last-wicket stand of 76 with Yasir Shah only delayed the inevitable, as the tourists were bowled out for 275.