Morgan, Root slam tons for England
AFP
AFP, NOTTINGHAM (UK): England captain Eoin Morgan said a carefree attitude was behind his sides remarkable one-day revival after leading them to a thrilling seven-wicket win over New Zealand in the fourth ODI at Trent Bridge on Wednesday.
The hosts finished on 350 for three, with six overs to spare, after Morgan (113) and Joe Root (106 not out) shared a stand of 198 a third-wicket record against New Zealand.
No England side had previously made more batting second to win an ODI than their 306 for five against Pakistan at Karachi in 2000.
But Morgans men overhauled that with ease to post the equal fourth highest chase in all ODI cricket as they levelled the five-match series at 2-2.
Left-hander Morgan failed to top 46 at this years World Cup, where Englands humiliating first-round exit included an eight-wicket thrashing by eventual finalists New Zealand at Wellington in February.
But he has now scored 322 runs at an average of 80.5 in four innings this series against the Black Caps heading into Saturdays decider in Durham.
Wednesdays win under the Trent Bridge floodlights also meant England had scored over 300 in four successive ODIs for the first time in their history.
It was all a far cry from the World Cup and Morgan, asked to explain the transformation, told Sky Sports: Its more the carefree attitude.
While delighted with the win, Morgan said embedding the change in approach was key ahead of the 2019 World Cup in England.
important, he added.
New Zealand were threatening a huge score at 187 for two off 30 overs and a final total of 349 for seven featuring Kane Williamsons 90, would have been a winning score more often than not.
Brief scores
New Zealand: 349/7 in 50 overs
England: 350/3 in 44 overs
