England root: Cricket News & Match Updates

Veteran Joe Root: Veteran Joe Root produced another masterclass in ODI batting, finishing agonisingly unbeaten on 99, as England defeated India by four wickets in the second ODI at Sophia Gardens to level the three-match series 1-1.

Chasing a modest target of 234, England rode on Root’s composed 99 not out off 133 balls, laced with nine fours, as the former captain anchored the innings despite wickets falling around him. Gus Atkinson played a crucial supporting hand with an unbeaten 23, sealing the chase with 35 balls to spare.

They were struggling at 8/2 in the fourth over after losing Ben Duckett (0) and Jacob Bethell (4), and had slumped to 125/5 at the halfway stage before Root and Will Jacks (30, 44 balls, 2x4) raised 72 runs for the crucial sixth-wicket partnership to take them to 197. Root and Atkinson raised 38 runs for the unfinished seventh-wicket partnership to guide England to 235/6 and victory.   Read More...