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Shane Dadswell, an opening batsman for NWU Pukke Cricket Club, ran up 490 off 151 balls, with 57 sixes and 27 fours, to amass the highest individual score in a minor limited-overs match

Firdose Moonda22-Nov-2017A South African club cricketer has broken the record for the highest individual score in a minor limited-overs match when he smashed an astonishing 490 runs from 151 balls. Opening batsman Shane Dadswell, who plays for NWU Pukke Cricket Club, beat the previous record, held by Indian batsman S Sankruth Sriram, who made 486 for JSS International School in the 2014-15 season.Dadswell, who also celebrated his 20th birthday on the day of his record-breaking feat last Saturday, described it as “the best day of my life,” and admitted to having an “attacking nature,” after also scoring 126 off 38 balls the previous weekend. His 490 included 57 sixes and 27 fours.”Honestly, it’s not even something you dream about. You dream about a double hundred, so to get 400-odd is a really special moment on a special day. It’s phenomenal, the best day of my life,” Dadswell said. “It’s been an amazing two weeks. There’s certainly an attacking nature inside me.”Dadswell was the major contributor in his team’s total of 677 for 3 in 50 overs, also a record in minor cricket. The previous highest was 629 for 5 and belonged to University of Warwick 2nd XI, against Newman College in 2007. NWU Pukke had another centurion in their ranks, Ruan Haasbroek, who scored 104 not out. Potch Dorp’s bowlers were all severely punished, with Dawis Crowther conceding 131 runs in his 10 overs, although he did have a wicket as consolation.As if his batting effort was not enough, Dadswell also took 2 for 32 in seven overs, as Potch Dorp finished on 290 for 9 and lost by 387 runsA former pupil of King Edward VII School, the alma mater of Graeme Smith and Quinton de Kock, among others, Dadswell has played in all the Cricket South Africa age-group weeks and is currently in his second year as a Business Psychology student. He has yet to decide if he will pursue cricket professionally, but has been in talks with provincial side North West, one of two teams that feed into the Johannesburg-based Lions’ franchise.”It would be amazing to play cricket for a living. I guess the first steps have already been taken because it was in the pipeline for me to start training with the North West Dragons from this week,” he said. “So, that’s the direction I’m looking in for now. I have been part of a few things with them this season. I’ve played a warm-up game and stuff like that. I don’t really think I would have had an opportunity up until next year, but hopefully this innings will change that.”

Unless West Indies win their final match of the tour in Mount Maunganui on Wednesday, they will return home empty-handed

The Preview by Deivarayan Muthu02-Jan-2018

Big picture

Much like Jay Gatsby pining for the light at the other side of the dock, West Indies must be aching for the comfort of a win. On this trip to New Zealand, they have lost six internationals, not to mention a practice match as well. Unless West Indies win their final match of the tour in Mount Maunganui on Wednesday, they will return home empty-handed, a fate they last suffered in this country in 1999-00.T20s may be West Indies’ favourite format but they presently have access to only six members from the title-winning squad in 2016 – Chris Gayle, Carlos Brathwaite, Andre Fletcher, Samuel Badree, Ashley Nurse, and Jerome Taylor. Along with that handicap came the challenge of bowling with a wet ball on New Year’s Day and the result just wasn’t pretty. The forecast for Wednesday isn’t promising either, with rain predicted in the afternoon. A truncated game might bridge the gulf between the two sides and possibly work in West Indies’ favour.New Zealand, like West Indies, have missed or rotated key players, but their depth has been has been impressive. First-choice fast bowler Trent Boult will be available to play at the Bay Oval and fringe players Seth Rance, Tom Bruce and Anaru Kitchen will be keen to press for longer stints.

Form guide

New Zealand: WLWLL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
West Indies: LWWWW

In the spotlight

Seth Rance doesn’t have express pace but his ability to move the ball laterally should not be underestimated. After delivering a hooping inswinger to leave Michael Pollard’s stumps an utter mess in the Super Smash, the medium-pacer found himself on the brink of a hat-trick on T20I debut. Cloudy overhead conditions on Wednesday could suit his style of bowling.West Indies’ best chance of squaring the series is through a Chris Gayle assault. After blowing hot in the Bangladesh Premier League knockouts, he has blown cold in New Zealand, managing only 38 runs in three innings so far.

Team news

After being rested for the first two T20s, Boult is set to return to the team, possibly in place of Doug Bracewell.New Zealand (probable): 1 Martin Guptill, 2 Colin Munro, 3 Kane Williamson (capt), 4 Glenn Phillips (wk), 5 Tom Bruce, 6 Anaru Kitchen, 7 Mitchell Santner, 8 Tim Southee, 9 Seth Rance, 10 Trent Boult, 11 Ish SodhiWest Indies, on the other hand, might consider bringing back Taylor for Kesrick Williams, who has leaked 76 runs in five overs.West Indies (probable): 1 Chris Gayle, 2 Chadwick Walton (wk), 3 Andre Fletcher, 4 Shai Hope, 5 Shimron Hetmyer, 6 Carlos Brathwaite (capt), 7 Rovman Powell, 8 Ashley Nurse, 9 Sheldon Cottrell, 10 Kesrick Williams/Jerome Taylor, 11 Samuel Badree

Pitch and conditions

All three completed T20Is at this venue have been won by the team batting first. But the possibility of rain and early swing could tempt the captain into bowling first, as Carlos Brathwaite did on Monday.

Stats and trivia

• If New Zealand win the series 2-0, they will leapfrog Pakistan to become the top-ranked T20I team
• Martin Guptill and Colin Munro have hit 130 sixes between them in T20Is. Gayle alone has struck 103 sixes.

The South African batsman smashed 68 off 36 balls to launch the Strikers to a strong total after a slow start, and their bowlers gave the Renegades barely a sniff in their chase

Alex Malcolm at Docklands22-Jan-2018
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsGetty Images

A comprehensive win away from home has secured Adelaide Strikers a home semi-final at the Adelaide Oval, where they are undefeated this season.The win over the Melbourne Renegades had significant ramifications for the BBL but the complete nature of the performance has sounded a warning to the Strikers’ rivals.The Strikers managed to compile an excellent first-innings score after one of their slowest Powerplays, and it was predominantly due to a man-of-the-match display from Colin Ingram. He peppered the crowd with five enormous sixes during a freakish 68 from just 36 balls. Travis Head compiled 58 from 47 but looked pedestrian by comparison.Then the Strikers did what they do best squeezing the life from the Renegades in the chase. Four of the five bowlers conceded less than seven an over and their catching was out of this world. The Renegades have now lost three in a row to remain locked in a four-way battle for the last two semi-final spots.Strikers slow out of the blocksThe Strikers have been measured in their approach to the Powerplays throughout the tournament, aiming for 40 to 50 runs without losing more than one wicket. On a slow Docklands surface they were extremely slow early. They were 1 for 13 from 21 balls having not hit a boundary before Alex Carey opened his shoulders. But Head really battled at the other end. He faced 10 balls in the Powerplay for just eight runs, and five of those deliveries were dot balls. The Strikers scored just 33 in the Powerplay.No Nabi, Mo’ problemsMohammad Nabi’s absence was keenly felt by the Renegades. He had bowled 25.5 overs in seven games, conceding just 5.76 per over while taking eight wickets. No other regular Renegades bowler had conceded less than seven an over. Cameron White gambled with Chris Tremain in the eighth over after a couple of good overs in the Powerplay. Head prefers pace compared to spin and he launched Tremain for a six and a four to get his strike rate up above 100 and the run-rate above six-an-over. The rate plateaued when Carey holed out.Ingram ignitesIngram entered and produced a stunning innings. He scored 10 off his first 10 balls before he started nailing slog-sweeps and wristy flicks to the leg-side boundary. He slog-swept and pulled Brad Hogg for successive fours and gave Head the freedom to hit him for six in a monster 13th over that yielded 18 runs. Ingram did the same to the 140kph speed of Kane Richardson, whipping him into the leg side crowd from way outside off stump. He did it again off consecutive deliveries from Kieron Pollard and once to Dwayne Bravo in the last over. His 68 from 36 balls turned a potential score of 150 into 5 for 173. Head played a good supporting hand but he was overshadowed.Four boundaries in 11.4 oversThe Renegades needed a fast start and bolted to 33 without loss after four overs. Tim Ludeman and Marcus Harris found the boundary four times in 24 balls. But the Strikers did not concede another boundary until the 12th over. Peter Siddle executed his plan to Ludeman, dragging him wider and nicking him off. The Strikers starved Harris of boundaries square of the wicket by bowling straight until he skied one trying to find a boundary. Tom Cooper finally found the fence twice to close out the 12th over but the equation by then was 104 from 48 balls.Bravo c Weatherald b Rashid KhanAfter Cooper and Cameron White fell the game was all but gone, but until the mercurial Bravo and Pollard were removed last rites had to wait. Bravo fell to one of the best team catches you could wish to see. He hit Rashid Khan high, inside-out over wide long-off. Ben Laughlin ran full tilt-along the rope and caught the ball but was hurtling over the rope with no chance to toss the ball up and regain his balance. He instead back-handed the ball nearly 30m towards Jake Weatherald running across from deep cover-point. Weatherald had to change direction sharply to his left but he completed the catch to remove the dangerous Bravo. The last five overs were an anti-climax after such a stunning piece of fielding. Brad Hodge took 17 from the last over to make the margin closer than it was.

Dilip Vengsarkar, India’s former chief selector, had alleged that picking Virat Kohli over S Badrinath in 2008 cost him his job during Srinivasan’s tenure as BCCI president

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Mar-2018N Srinivasan, the former BCCI president, has dismissed accusations made by Dilip Vengsarkar, India’s former chief selector, that picking Virat Kohli over S Badrinath for the tour of Sri Lanka in 2008 cost him his job.Calling the remarks “completely false, motivated and without basis of facts”, Srinivasan said that Vengsarkar “couldn’t be considered because he chose to continue as vice-president of Mumbai Cricket Association until 2010, and again in 2014″, with conflict of interest over his dual roles being raised at the BCCI Annual General Meeting (AGM) in 2008. The clause that was ratified at the AGM that year said a selector could not hold a dual post.”I find it unbecoming and highly unprofessional of a former selector to act in such a manner. It is a pity that Mr Dilip Vengsakar is trying to cast aspersions on me,” Srinivasan was quoted as saying in a press release issued by his company India Cements. “He is trying to create some controversy by suggesting I was behind his removal when I was treasurer of the BCCI. This is totally unwarranted and defies logic.”Srinivasan said he held no animosity towards Vengsarkar, referring to financial help offered to Dadar Union, the club Vengsarkar once represented. “Vengsarkar was himself a beneficiary of the benefit scheme initiated by me,” Srinivsan said. “To my recollection, a large sum of money was given by India Cements Limited to Dadar Union Club for his its infrastructure at his request.”

PCA chairman Daryl Mitchell has described David Leatherdale as a brilliant chief executive who retains “the full support of the members”

George Dobell03-Mar-2018Daryl Mitchell has sprung to the defence of David Leatherdale after criticism in several newspapers suggesting he no longer enjoyed the full confidence of the players he is meant to represent. Leatherdale, the chief executive of the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA), effectively the players’ union in England and Wales, has recently taken time off due to illness.But while some have suggested Leatherdale is overly influenced by the ECB, Mitchell, the organisation’s chairman, has described him as a “brilliant CEO” who retains “the full support of the members”. He has also described much of the criticism Leatherdale has faced – specifically over a change in the nature of England player contracts with the ECB and the ending of a sponsored car deal with Toyota – as unfounded.”There have been accusations that the PCA is too close to the ECB,” Mitchell told ESPNcricinfo, “but the way I see it, we have a strong, constructive relationship with the ECB that allows our voice to be heard and our views to shape plans.”We will negotiate hard and take a strong line when necessary. But nobody wants the situation we saw in Australia where the relationship between the board and players breaks down. I’d have thought the relationship we have with the ECB, a relationship that allows us a place at the table when all decisions are taken, is extremely positive.”Much of the criticism David has faced in recent days has been unfounded and inaccurate. I’m not aware of any angry emails from England players complaining about their sponsorship deals. There have been a couple asking for clarification, but nothing more than that, and those commercial deals are arranged by the ECB in any case.”And the idea that players are suddenly upset by a change in the awarding of incremental contracts is very strange. The way incremental contracts are awarded was changed in October 2016 as the ECB moved away from the points scoring system and are now awarded on a discretionary basis and have been for the past 18 months.”It is certainly a busy time for the PCA. As well as negotiating the next Team England Player Partnership (TEPP) – effectively the new central contracts – and England Women’s Player Partnership, the PCA is also central to talks regarding new Memorandums of Understanding between the first-class counties and the ECB.With the new broadcast deal having brought unprecedented amounts of money into the game in England and Wales, there is pressure on Leatherdale and the PCA to strike a deal that will see players’ remuneration reflect that windfall. It is understood, however, that family health issues may have contributed to Leatherdale’s current illness as much as work issues.Either way, Mitchell insists it is a case of “business as usual” for the organisation in Leatherdale’s absence. Bob Mitchell, a PCA trustee and successful lawyer, will take the lead on negotiations regarding TEPP and Matthew Wheeler, the PCA’s non-executive chairman, will also take more responsibility. Marcus Trescothick and Joe Root are also involved in the TEPP management committee. It is understood Root was involved in a TEPP discussion on Friday.”It is business as usual for the PCA,” Daryl Mitchell said. “We continue to deliver all those services – the personal development, the helplines, the training opportunities, the support and contract advice – that our members rely on us for.”The important thing is that David is given the time and space to fully recover. He has the full support of PCA members and we all wish him well. There is no timeframe as to when we expect him back. He must take as long as he needs.”Mitchell’s words were echoed by Tammy Beaumont, who is the PCA representative for the England women’s team. “There is no crisis of confidence from our side,” she tweeted. “PCA has always worked with our best interest at heart. Wishing David a speedy recovery.”

Despite their impressive performance in the Nidahas Trophy, Bangladesh’s wicketkeeper said they “haven’t become a T20 side of caliber yet”

Mohammad Isam19-Mar-2018Before the Nidahas Trophy, Bangladesh never felt like they were playing consistently in a T20 tournament, according to Mushfiqur Rahim. Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka twice in final-over thrillers, which has given them confidence for the future.Mushfiqur said Bangladesh’s overall recovery in this tournament, after the poor home series against Sri Lanka, stood out. They were beaten 2-0 in the T20s in February, after they lost the ODI tri-series final and the Test series, to Sri Lanka.

‘Should have been quiet’ – Nurul Hasan

Nurul Hasan, the Bangladesh substitute player, who picked up a 25% fine for his behaviour in the match against Sri Lanka on Friday, said he regretted arguing with Thisara Perera.
“I was sent inside the field to speak to [Mahmudullah] Riyad ,” Nurul said. “I asked the umpire whether the first ball was given a bouncer. Thisara Perera came up to me and said, ‘Who are you to talk? You go, you don’t have to talk’. I said I am not talking to you. He started to abuse me. I kept saying it has nothing to do with you. I should have been quiet. I think the heat of the moment got to me. This is all that happened.”

“We haven’t become a T20 side of caliber yet but if you compare how we did in the home T20s in February to how we did in Sri Lanka, we have taken a step in the right direction,” Mushfiqur said. “We have shown we can be consistent in T20s. We still have a lot of room for improvement. Our top-order batsmen have to play till the end. We did finish two games well.”Our bowlers have to take more wickets in the Powerplay overs. We have to work on our death-over bowling. Most of the wickets were flat, we were a bit behind India’s economy rate. I think it is a gain that we now have some confidence in T20s, like we have found in Tests and ODIs.”Bangladesh were short of confidence prior to the Nidahas Trophy, but Mushfiqur boosted their morale after carrying them past Sri Lanka in the second league game. Mahmudullah’s cameo in the virtual knockout against Sri Lanka lifted them further. However, they lost one crucial moment in the final as Dinesh Karthik hit Soumya Sarkar for six off the last ball of the match.Mushfiqur however feels that Soumya cannot be blamed. “It is quite obvious to feel bad. But it wasn’t due to one person,” Mushfiqur said. “If all our bowlers could concede one or two runs less or our batsmen could have scored 10 runs more, things would have been different. It is a team game so the failure is ours. We have to take lessons from this game. It was the first time for Soumya, so I am sure the next time he faces up to such a situation, he will do much better.”A lot of big-name bowlers have failed to hold on to their nerve. Malinga was taken apart by Marlon Samuels in the same venue in the 2012 World T20. We lost a good opportunity, is all I can say. It is not every day that you get a chance to beat India. We have now missed two opportunities. We will keep this hurt inside so that we can go ahead.”

Ed Smith’s first squad as national selector includes a couple of big calls

George Dobell15-May-20183:44

Buttler selection not a snub to county cricket – Smith

Jos Buttler has earned a surprise recall to England’s Test team at the expense of James Vince, while the Somerset spinner, Dominic Bess, was the beneficiary of his team-mate Jack Leach’s misfortune, as the new national selector, Ed Smith, unveiled his squad for next week’s first Test against Pakistan.Buttler, who has not played red-ball cricket for England since the tour of India in November and December 2016, has found a rich vein of form for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL this month, with a tournament-record five consecutive half-centuries, including unbeaten scores of 95 and 94 in his last two innings.”Jos Buttler is an outstanding talent, who is already a central part of England’s white-ball teams,” Smith said. “The selection panel feels that this is the perfect moment to reintroduce Jos to Test cricket, where he has already enjoyed some success, including a stint playing as a specialist batsman at number seven. Jos is playing with great confidence and flair, and he will bring unique qualities to the Test team.”

England squad for first Test v Pakistan

Joe Root (capt), Jimmy Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Alastair Cook, Dawid Malan, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood

He will return to the middle order, with Jonny Bairstow retaining the wicketkeeper’s role and moving up the order, meaning Vince is fall guy after a winter of false dawns, in spite of a timely Championship double-century for Hampshire against Somerset on Monday. Joe Root will bat at No.3 with Dawid Malan at No. 4.Vince, who was recalled to the Test squad for the Ashes, in spite of a mediocre start to his career against Sri Lanka and Pakistan in 2016, made an attractive 83 in his first Test innings of the winter, at Brisbane in November, and signed off with 76 against New Zealand at Christchurch last month. However, in between whiles, he made just one more score of fifty in nine innings, with a propensity to get himself out when well set costing him dear.Buttler has outperformed the rest of his IPL side in May•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Bess, meanwhile, has leapfrogged to the front of England’s spinning options, in the wake of a cruel injury for Leach in the nets at Taunton next week. A fractured left thumb means he will be out of action for both Pakistan Tests, and so will be unable to back up the promise he showed on Test debut in Christchurch last month. Moeen Ali was dropped for the final Test in New Zealand and has played no red-ball cricket since due to his spell at the IPL.”Dom Bess has made an excellent start to his first-class career,” Smith said. “He has impressed everyone with his performances for Somerset and when he has been given opportunities with England representative teams. With Jack Leach missing out due to injury, the selection panel wanted to invest opportunity in a young spin bowler. Dom’s strong form, character and all-round abilities presented a compelling case for selection.Chris Woakes and Mark Wood, who was recalled in Christchurch, will compete for the final fast-bowling spot while Mark Stoneman has retained his place at the top of the order despite a lean start to the season. He had faced pressure from an in-form Nick Gubbins.Meanwhile, Malan and Tom Curran have been awarded incremental contracts based on their performances in the 2017-18 period. Malan was one of the few successes in the Ashes while Curran became a regular part of the one-day side.

Sussex’s defeat, following a brace of washouts, probably puts the knockouts out of reach

ECB Reporters Network01-Jun-2018
ScorecardA partnership of 98 from only 10 overs between Colin Ingram and Kiran Carlson saw Glamorgan win their first game in the competition, against as a strong Sussex team, who included Chris Jordan and Jofra Archer for the first time this season.This defeat and two abandoned games last week, has probably denied the visitors any chance of qualifying for the latter stages of the competition. Ingram was undefeated on 95, as his team reached their target with 10 balls remaining.After Sussex had been put in, the two Lukes – Wright and Wells – gave their team a brisk start, sharing 41 in eight overs before Wells chipped Timm van der Gugten to mid-on, then Wright, who had scored 41 from 34 balls, flicked one down the legside from Lukas Carey to the wicketkeeper.Andrew Salter’s offspin was introduced in the 12th over, and with Graham Wagg bowling his cutters effectively from the other end, they restricted Sussex’s progress, with no boundaries conceded from 16 overs. The visitors also lost two wickets, with Ben Brown sent back attempting an impossible run, and Harry Finch lbw, sweeping at Salter.After Ingram and David Lloyd- the fifth and sixth bowler- came into the attack, Burgess and Wiese restored Sussex’s fortunes, by adding 71 in the next 10 overs. A series of full tosses and short pitched deliveries did not help Glamorgan’s cause, and they would have been disappointed not to have capitalised after bowling so well in the middle of the innings.The partnership was broken by the admirable Wagg, who began his second spell by having Burgess caught low down at extra cover, before Wiese, in the next over, struck a short ball from van der Gugten to cover point. His belligerent innings of 67, included seven fours and two sixes as Sussex reached a commendable total from their 50 overs.Despite losing Nick Selman early on, Aneurin Donald, who has experienced a lean start to the season, and Connor Brown moved along at a brisk pace and had put on 69 for the second wicket, until Donald, who made 40, chipped Chris Jordan to Burgess on the midwicket boundary.Brown quickly followed, dragging one from Ishant Sharma to mid-on, but David Lloyd gave Ingram valuable support by adding 77 for the fourth wicket, with Ingram the dominant partner. Lloyd departed for 20, but Kiran Carlson, playing his first game in the competition, soon made his intentions clear by striking Danny Briggs and Archer for sixes.With five overs remaining, Glamorgan required 47, but the home team kept up with the required run rate with another brace of sixes from Carlson, as he reached a rapid unbeaten 59 from only 40 balls.

The visitors clinched the second one-dayer by 67 runs on the back of the allrounder’s maiden List A hundred, levelling the three-match series 1-1

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Jul-2018Thisara Perera slams one into the leg side•Associated Press

Thisara Perera’s maiden List A century helped Sri Lanka A to a 67-run win over Bangladesh A in Sylhet, levelling the three-match one-day series 1-1. Perera struck nine fours and five sixes in his 88-ball 111 which rescued his side from a difficult position.Batting first, Sri Lanka posted 275 in 49.4 overs after slipping to 129 for 7 in the 29th over. Thisara added 77 runs for the eighth wicket with Malinda Pushpakumara, with the latter contributing just eight runs. Shehan Madushanka then scored an unbeaten run-a-ball 36 with two fours and as many sixes, adding 44 for the ninth wicket with Thisara.In reply, Bangladesh were 71 for 1 at one stage before getting bowled out for 208 in 44.3 overs. Five of their top six batsmen scored at least 25 but none of Saif Hassan (28), Zakir Hasan (32), Mohammad Mithun (25), Al-Amin (46) and Ariful Haque (27) could kick on to a substantial score.For the visitors, Pushpakumara and Nishan Peiris took three wickets each.The last one-dayer will be played at the same venue on July 21.

Joe Root set the stage for England to draw level in the ODIs, and Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid finished the job

The Report by Shashank Kishore14-Jul-2018In what England would hope heralds a sustained run of form through their home season, Joe Root made a high-quality 113, his 13th ODI century, to provide the base for England’s series-levelling 86-run win at Lord’s. To put their win down wholly to Root’s knock, however, would do no justice to David Willey or Adil Rashid or Moeen Ali.Willey’s 30-ball half-century, the fastest for England against India, injected late momentum into an innings that seemed destined to end up at 280 or thereabouts. Siddarth Kaul, in just his second ODI, repeatedly lost his lengths and bore the brunt of Willey’s improvisation. Umesh Yadav didn’t fare much better as England plundered 94 off the last 10 to finish with 322 for 7. Virat Kohli kept India in the hunt in the chase, but Moeen changed all that by having him lbw in the 27th over. England proceeded to choke India with spin, and the required rate escalated to over eleven an over with 12 overs to play.That England managed to keep Dhoni and Hardik Pandya quiet was a mark of the control they had over proceedings. Eoin Morgan had elected to bat presumably to deny India’s spinners the advantage of bowling on a drier surface late in the day. As it turned out, their very own benefited from this, combining for figures of 3 for 80 off 20 overs in decisive spells.The final result had a feeling of inevitability to it, with Dhoni plodding along to make a 59-ball 37, making Tuesday’s clash at Leeds a winner-takes-all contest. While the big hits eluded him, Dhoni brought up the 33 runs he needed to become just the fourth Indian, after Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid, to bring up 10,000 ODI runs.The preceding T20I series had marked the first time Root was dropped in any form of cricket for England since the 2014 Sydney Test. There may have pressure on him subsequently, but, with the injury to Alex Hales and the team’s spin woes piling up, he couldn’t have asked for a more opportune moment to roar back into form.Root’s diffidence to spin had cost him at Trent Bridge – he was pinned on the back foot. At Lord’s he was much more assertive against Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal, playing them as late as possible but trying to get as close as possible to the pitch of the ball. This helped him put away the odd lose delivery the pair delivered in trying to impart turn. His control percentage against the wristspinning pair was 86%, a measure of how well he played them, even if his run-scoring was not at its most fluent.That this innings came hot on the heels of the openers falling to Kuldeep made it all the more crucial. In looking to break a threatening opening stand, Kohli turned to Kuldeep in the 12th over and he struck with his second delivery, Jonny Bairstow failing to pick a googly and deflecting the ball onto the stumps. Jason Roy, meanwhile, slog swept one to Umesh Yadav at deep midwicket.Root’s innings was a soothing balm, and set them up for the late assault they eventually managed. He put on a 103-run third-wicket stand with Morgan, who made 53. Their partnership was an old-fashioned repair job that put the focus on run accumulation with minimal risks. It might have begun to ring some alarm bells for India, but then Morgan whipped a juicy Kuldeep full toss to Shikhar Dhawan at deep midwicket.At 189 for 3 in the 31st over, the stage seemed set for Jos Buttler, but England preferred Ben Stokes, who had made England’s slowest half-century in the last 10 years at Trent Bridge two days ago. He did not click today either, and to compound matters Buttler was out soon after, leaving England vulnerable. This was when India’s bowlers switched off and Willey cashed in to make a difference of at least 40 runs to the end total.India’s openers started well, adding 49 in 8.1 overs before Morgan’s call to persist with Mark Wood for a fifth straight over paid dividends. In an attempt to mow one to the short leg-side boundary, Rohit advanced only to miss one that came back in with the slope to crash into the stumps. Next over, Dhawan sliced a drive to backward point. When KL Rahul was snuffed out by a spectacular Jos Buttler grab – moving to his wrong side to take an inside edge – five balls later, India were truly in trouble.Kohli and Suresh Raina, playing his first ODI innings in almost three years, added 80. Raina was reprieved twice, the second instance causing Roy to immediately walk off the field to nurse his hand. But, in the same over, Kohli played all around a straight Moeen delivery to open the floodgates. At that stage, India needed 183 off 23 overs, which meant little time for Dhoni and Hardik Pandya to settle in. They never did find their rhythm as the game meandered to a farcical end, Dhoni even defending balls to boos from the crowd.