ON TOP OF THE WORLD

England vs India: Joe Root and Eoin Morgan ease hosts to 2-1 ODI series victory

Unbeaten scores of 100 from Root and 88 from Morgan eased England home to an eight-wicket win with more than five overs remaining

ENGLAND showed why they're world no.1 as Joe Root hit a boundary to reach a sublime century with just one run needed.

India skipper Virat Kohli top scored with 71 as the tourists set England a target of 257 in the decisive third ODI at Headingly.

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Joe Root was able to simultaneously celebrate his century and an England series winCredit: Getty Images

Adil Rashid castled the majestic Kohli with a ripping leg-spinner that pegged back his off pole, leaving the world's premier batsman staring down the pitch in bewilderment.

England's chase never looked in danger as a quickfire 30 from Jonny Bairstow got them motoring.

And unbeaten scores of 100 from Root and 88 from Morgan eased England home to an eight-wicket win with more than five overs left.

Root was on 96 with just one run to chalk off when the Yorkshireman launched a full toss to the boundary to the delight of the home crowd - clinching a 2-1 series win.

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Morgan played a captain's knock of 88 not out to help England get over the lineCredit: PA:Press Association
Adil Rashid bowled Virat Kohli with a brilliant leg-spinnerCredit: Getty Images
England fast bowler Mark Wood and Rashid both picked up three wicketsCredit: Getty Images

 

 

Jonny Bairstow got England off to a fast start at HeadinglyCredit: AFP
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The Test skipper emphatically proved his worth to the side with back-to-back tons, despite a debate at the start of the series over whether he could be squeezed into England's brilliant ODI unit.

Both Rashid and Mark Wood bagged three wickets each, with David Willey and a run out accounting for the other dismissals, as India finished their innings eight down for 256.

The tourists had looked in good shape with Shikhar Dhawan and Kohli at the crease until the former fell to a run out that left India at 84-2 in the 18th over.

Only Kohli passed fifty as a steady drop of wickets and economical bowling from Wood and Willey restricted India to a total that meant England needed just a tick above five an over.

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James Vince looked typically stylish but was run out for 27Credit: AFP
Adil Rashid's celebration was understated after dismissing Virat KohliCredit: AFP

Bairstow belted his score off just 13 balls as he took advantage of a wayward opening salvo from the returning Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

Locals were denied full fireworks from the Yorkshireman when he chipped to mid on.

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James Vince was given another England chance at the top of the order due to injuries to Alex Hales and Jason Roy.

But he perished to a typically tame dismissal, run out after looking the part for 27.

Root and Morgan rarely looked troubled as the guided England home.

And, in the end, the only doubt was whether Root would reach three figures as Hardik Pandya bowled two wides with Root on 96.

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With just one run required Root dispatched a full toss and dropped his bat to signal the job was done.

Root hits out on his way to 100 not out on his home groundCredit: PA:Press Association
Root and Morgan embrace after guiding England to a series winCredit: Getty
Root walks off at Headingly with a century his nameCredit: Getty
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BT Sport's Michael Vaughan chats to Joe Root back at his home club in Sheffield
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