THE ROOT TO GLORY
Red-hot Joe’s simply ton-derful once more
JOE ROOT hit another century to make history as England served up a warning to their World Cup rivals.
Eoin Morgan’s side cruised to an eight-wicket win, sealing their first one-day series victory over India since 2011.
And this crushing triumph at Headingley showed why England – who top the one-day world rankings – are the team to beat going into next summer’s World Cup on home soil.
Root’s second ton in a row saw him become his country’s all-time leading century-maker in one-day internationals.
He combined with Morgan in an unbroken third-wicket stand worth 186 as the hosts eased home to win the three-match series 2-1.
After India were restricted to a below-par 256-8 there was only ever going to be one winner.
England skipper Morgan said: “I think it was an outstanding performance. The bowlers set the tone early on. And from that point there was no let up. I thought we got better as the series went on.
“The first game at Trent Bridge, we were off the mark and India punished us. From there we’ve learned a lot.”
Ripping
India were pegged back by Yorkshire duo David Willey and Adil Rashid, who took three wickets each on their home ground.
The tourists never recovered after star batsman Virat Kohli was bowled by a remarkable Rashid delivery. It pitched in line with leg before ripping back into the India captain’s off stump.
Wickets then tumbled at regular intervals to check their progress and England made light work of the modest target.
Aided by Jonny Bairstow’s 30 from 13 balls, Root (100 not out) and Morgan (88 not out) thwarted the spinners to see their side home with 33 balls to spare.
Root, who followed up his century at Lord’s by reaching three figures again with a victory-clinching four, said: “The best thing about this is knowing it was a must-win game, the pressure of that and being able to stand up to it.”