Ton-up Eoin propels England
Southampton, Sept. 22: Eoin Morgan’s latest Rose Bowl century saw England recover to 256 for six against Pakistan in the decisive fifth and final one-day international here on Wednesday.
Morgan made 107 not out after England had slumped to 47 for three following home captain Andrew Strauss’s decision to bat first in the supposedly less testing conditions afforded by daylight rather than floodlights.
Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who finished with three wickets for 40 runs, took two for 17 in an impressive six-over opening spell as Pakistan, who had been 2-0 down, attempted to take the series 3-2. But Morgan produced a well-paced innings at Hampshire’s headquarters.
He received solid support from Paul Collingwood (47) in a fifth-wicket stand of 93 that featured just four boundaries after the all-rounder had retired hurt on five because of a migraine.
Tim Bresnan (18 not out) helped Morgan add 54 in just 28 balls. Morgan though had a reprieve when on 31 he chipped spinner Mohammad Hafeez down the ground and Mohammad Yousuf held a fine catch over his shoulder. But Yousuf, realising he could not stop himself from going over the boundary, threw the ball in-field to prevent a four only to roll his ankle in the process, an injury that forced him off.
And Collingwood, on 28, was fortunate when West Indies umpire Billy Doctrove rejected Umar Gul’s lbw appeal after the ball struck both pads.
Brief scores: England 256 for 6 in 50 overs (Eoin Morgan 107 n.o., Paul Collingwood 47; Shoaib Akhtar 3 for 40, Shahid Afridi 1 for 40, Mohammad Hafeez 1 for 40) vs Pakistan.
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