Hero Morgan rewrites the record books

England captain hits 17 sixes

Eoin Morgan unleashed a furious, record-breaking assault as England overpowered Afghanistan by 150 runs at Old Trafford yesterday, hitting 17 sixes as his side took over top spot in the World Cup standings.

The England captain was a prematch injury doubt having been laid low by a painful back spasm but proved himself more than fit for purpose as he hammered his way into the history books with a merciless knock of 148 in just 71 balls.

Morgan broke new ground when he cleared the ropes for the final time – Chris Gayle, AB De Villiers and Rohit Sharma having all hit 16 in a one-day innings – leaving England on course for their highest ever World Cup total, 397 for six.

It was an astonishing display from the Dubliner, who was agonisingly dropped on 28 by Dawlat Zadran, and enough to make window dressing out of Jonny Bairstow’s 90 and Joe Root’s 88.

Afghanistan batted admirably in response without ever threatening, leaving them on five consecutive defeats and allowing England to leapfrog Australia on net run-rate.

On paper the fixture was the biggest mismatch of the tournament – 10th against first in the world rankings – and the final margin reflected that gulf.

What nobody predicted was the fate of master spinner Rashid Khan, who returned ghoulish figures of 9-0-110-0, the worst in the competition’s 44-year history and just three shy of Mick Lewis’ all-time ODI nadir.

Afghanistan batted on gamely to 247 for eight, their best World Cup score but nowhere near enough to challenge.

Man-of-the-match Morgan was delighted with the win and his 17 sixes.

He told Sky Sports: “Today’s a fantastic day for us. I managed to have a day out, which was great. The wicket was very good. I thought everything from the way we started – I thought Afghanistan started really well and bowled well the first 10 overs.

“Our openers started really well, then from there, we built a partnership with Bairstow and Root. And from there we managed to take a bit of a gamble and it paid off.

“A good day all round and we’re delighted with the win. I didn’t think at any stage it was going to be my day.

“I’m getting quite old...hobbling about with a bad back. I never thought in my wildest dreams I could do something like that so it makes it a bit more special.”

Third-placed New Zealand face South Africa at Edgbaston, Birmingham, today with the struggling Proteas looking for only their second win in six matches.