England are in smashing form ahead of World Cup

ENGLAND yesterday showcased the brutal hitting they believe can unify international cricket’s two world titles later this year. In a slug-fest in the thin air of Centurion, and on a pitch reminiscent of those they will find when they get to Australia for the Twenty20 World Cup in October, they kept throwing punches in a chase which went down as the second biggest in their history. Eoin Morgan struck the third of three 50s for the tourists — behind those of Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow, and equalling his own England record of 21 balls to do so — the last of his seven sixes taking his team to a 15-13 win on clearing the ropes and the scores level with a full over to spare. And, after a five-wicket win that sealed a 2-1 series success over the South Africans, England have the belief that they can chase down anything. ‘Overcoming challenges like that is a huge satisfaction for me and everyone in the changing room,’ said Morgan, whose decision to extend his captaincy beyond the historic 50-over World Cup win to the next two T20 versions has been more than vindicated over recent times. ‘It creates belief that you can chase down anything and gives us confidence in our method. There is no restriction in what we can achieve. No limit.’ Morgan (above) may have put the finishing touches to the innings but Buttler justified his retention at the top of the order with a fantastic 57 from 29 balls, putting on 91 with Bairstow, who top-scored for England with 64 from only 34 deliveries. Tom Curran, the hero in England’s series-levelling victory at Durban on Friday, and Ben Stokes took two wickets apiece and were the only touring bowlers to go at less than ten an over as South Africa racked up 222 for six.