England survive a late scare to sneak nail-biting, final-over consolation win in the third ODI against India in Kolkata
Chris Woakes holds his nerve as he bowls three dots and snares crucial wicket with the final four balls of the thrilling match
ENGLANDsurvive a late scare to sneak nail-biting, final-over consolation win in the third ODI against India in Kolkata, thanks to some Chris Woakes death-bowling.
Chasing 322 to win, India got off to a dreadful start as David Willey bowled Ajinkya Rahane for just 1, before the Yorkshire all-rounder left the field with a nasty-looking shoulder injury.
His replacement Jake Ball had KL Rahul caught behind for just 11 before Virat Kohli did what he does best, blasting a classy 50 before he too nicked behind, this time off the bowling of Ben Stokes - back at the scene of his World T20 capitulation less than a year ago.
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That left second ODI heroes Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni to the crease, still needing over 200 to win from around 30 overs.
Just as the pair looked settled, England's quickest bowler Liam Plunkett struck as Yuvraj attempted one big shot too many.
After a frustrating period, Ball then had Dhoni caught brilliantly behind by Jos Buttler after slashing at a wide one.
With the big-names out, conditions suiting England's seamers and the run-rate creeping above nine-per-over, India seemed all but out of the game.
However, the partnership between Kedar Jadhav and Hardik Pandya rapidly broke into three-figures, setting up a grandstand finale.
Some superb late hitting from India's lower order ensured a nail-biting finish, but ultimately they fell six runs short of the target, on 316-9, despite only needing six runs off the final FOUR balls.
Earlier England had got off to a flying start thanks to Jason Roy, picking up where he left off in the last ODI to blast a quickfire 65 from just 56 balls.
Along with Sam Billings - brought in to replace the injured Alex Hales - England's opening pair put on 98 for the first wicket.
After losing the duo in quick succession, Jonny Bairstow and Eoin Morgan both batted beautifully to lead England towards 300, with the skipper making 43, while the flame-haired Yorkshireman notched a rapid 56.
As both men fell, along with Buttler - again in quick succession - it was up to Stokes to rediscover his Pune form, during the first ODI.
Moeen Ali fell soon after arriving though as England slumped to 246-6, bringing Chris Woakes to the crease.
The pair batted with intent as Stokes smashed an unbeaten 57 off just 39 balls, including two sixes, while Woakes bludgeoned an unselfish 24 from just 19 balls as England finished their innings on a very competitive 321-8.
