IND vs ENG 2018, 2nd ODI: We Bounced Back Really Well: Eoin Morgan
Jul 15, 2018 at 11:08 AM
England skipper Eoin Morgan said his team learned from its mistakes and improved after the hosts thrashed India by 86 runs in the second ODI to level the three-match series.
The hosts bounced back in style to beat India fair and square in the do-or-die clash. Batting first, they scored a daunting 322 for 7 with Joe Root’s 113 leading the way. Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow once again gave the hosts a solid start, adding 69 runs for the first wicket.
Kuldeep Yadav then dismissed both of them in quick succession to bring India back in the game. However, an 103-run stand between Root and skipper Eoin Morgan helped England get back on track. The duo mixed caution with aggression to lay the foundation for the good total. The stand was broken by Kuldeep when he had Morgan caught for 53. From there on England lost wickets at regular intervals. However, Root held firm from one end and found a good partner in David Willey. The duo added 83 runs for the seventh wicket to take England past the 300-run mark. Root was run out for 113 on the very last ball of the innings. Willey, on the other hand, remained unbeaten on 50 off 31 balls.
In reply, India never quite looked in contention to chase down the big total on a tough Lord’s wicket. They lost wickets at regular intervals and were eventually all out for 236.
Speaking at the post-match presentation ceremony, Morgan praised his team’s character and also lavished praise on centurion Root.
“I thought we bounced back really well, similar to the T20I series. Learned from the first game and improved. Challenges against spin on a similar surface, if not a tougher one. Joe was excellent and the boys upfront were good too. The bowlers put on a clinical performance as well. Well, it worked out (the decision to bat). It’s my home ground and it’s good that it paid off. I would have done it on any other game,” he said.
“(On Root’s class on tough pitches) The way he accumulates an innings and sets up the backbone of our innings. He’s the glue of our batting. (On Willey’s cameo) His batting has progressed this summer and it has had an effect on his bowling as well. His approach with the ball against top batsmen early on was impressive as well. Hopefully it (the decider) should be (a cracker). It’s a ground we enjoy playing at, we get great support there. Hopefully we can produce a performance closer to today’s and hopefully it turns out to be a great game of cricket,” he added.