ICC WC: Explosive Morgan propels England to 397 against Afghans

England's captain Eoin Morgan raises his bat and helmet to celebrate scoring a century during the Cricket World Cup match between England and Afghanistan at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, Tuesday, June 18, 2019. Photo: AP

Captain Eoin Morgan’s explosive century helped England post a massive total of 397 runs for 6 against winless Afghanistan on Tuesday at Old Trafford in Manchester.

It is now England’s highest-ever total in the world cups.

Morgan struck a sparkling 148 off 71 balls with four fours and 17 six. Along the way, he created a new record of hitting the most number of sixes in an ODI innings. He surpassed India’s Rohit Sharma, who hit 16 sixes while scoring 209 against Australia in 2013.

The English captain completed his hundred in 57 deliveries, which is now the fourth fastest century in the world cups.

While scoring 397, English batsmen struck 25 sixes overall, the record of hitting the most number of sixes in a single ODI innings.

England, however, did not manage a decent start to their innings after winning the toss and electing to bat first. They lost their first wicket in 44 runs when James Vince fell for 26.

In the second wicket stand, Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root added 120 runs. This partnership was broken by Afghan captain Gulbadin Naib who removed Jonny for 90 off 99 with eight fours and three sixes.

Morgan joined Root and the pair added 189 runs, which is the record of England’s biggest partnership in the world cups.

Root fell for 88 off 82 deliveries, but Morgan kept hitting sixes and fours. Seven of Morgan’s 17 sixes came against Rashid Khan.

The Afghan spin sensation gave away 110 runs in nine overs, which is the record of conceding most runs in World Cups. Rashid failed to scalp any wicket.

Morgan fell to Gulbadin in the 47th over. But England’s scoreboard did not stop as Moeen Ali came in and scored 31 of just nine deliveries with four sixes and one four.

Eventually, England ended up on 397 runs for six wickets in 50 overs. For Afghanistan, Dawlat Zadran and Gulbadin took three wickets each conceding 85 and 68 respectively.