CRASH , BANG, WALLOPED

Fireworks from Bairstow and Roy but England fizzle out after lightning start

ENGLAND’S big-hitting strategy set off like a firework but fizzled out in the same way as they fell 66 runs short of India in the first ODI. World champions or not, England were once again reminded of just how hard it is to win in any format in India, with a 22nd defeat in 27 one-dayers there. And it was their highoctane style that let them down, being fired out for 251 with just under eight overs left. Their commitment to going hard or going home was to the fore with batsman after batsman playing shots. No one died wondering. Only this time it did not pay off. Not even the fastest of fast starts could power England all the way to a target of 318, despite the best efforts of Jason Roy (above, right) and Jonny Bairstow (left).

They drove, flicked, pulled and slogged the scoreboard to 135-0 in 14.1 overs. It was gloriously entertaining and reminiscent of the side in their pomp as they built for the 2019 World Cup.

But there are a few crucial ingredients missing compared to the team that lifted the trophy. Joe Root not being available at No.3 was perhaps felt the most.

Bowlers Jofra Archer, Chris Woakes and Liam Plunkett were the others missing, which might have something to do with the 92 runs England leaked in the final seven overs of the India innings. But after getting so far ahead of the chase at one stage, the lack of a Root to calmly tick the score along with low risk, classy options – much as Virat Kohli ( far left) did for India – was noticeable.

There was still more than enough quality and experience in the batting to get England over the line, but if Ben Stokes, Eoin Morgan and Jos Buttler have off days, little can be done.

Stokes took 11 balls to score his single run before being caught at cover. His previous ODI was the World Cup final, when he scored 84 not out and eight not out in the super over.

The stage was set for two players in their first whiteball games of the year to make an impact, but just as Sam Billings and Moeen Ali looked as though they might get the chase back on track, they faltered against high-quality bowling.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar is outstanding with a white ball and backed up by Shardul Thakur and seamer Prasidh Krishna, with 4-54 on debut, were too much for England to handle.