‘You have to trust your game and your technique’ – Joe Root

The three-match one-day international series has panned out along similar lines to the Twenty20 International series between England and India so far, the visitors winning the first game and the home side bouncing back to win the second.

The batting stars for England at Lord’s in the second ODI on Saturday, 14 July were Joe Root, who scored 113, and David Willey, who slammed a 31-ball 50*. That helped them end on 322/7, and the bowlers then came together well to bowl India out for 236.

“Thought we bounced back really well,” said Eoin Morgan, the England captain. “We learned from Trent Bridge on a more difficult surface here. It was an all-round performance.”

Root hadn’t scored too many runs in the limited-overs series against Australia or in the games against India till he reached Lord’s, where he played a match-winning hand.

“His play against spin sets up the backbone of our innings. He plays a crucial part,” said Morgan.

Root, England’s Test captain, admitted that he had been struggling, explaining that taking the attack to Kuldeep Yadav, India’s standout bowler of the tour, made the difference.

“You've seen in the T20s, we learnt from our mistakes and we did that today. We took him for a little more. We look to learn and adapt, not just let him bowl at us,” said Root.

On his own form, he added, “Same for anyone when they are struggling slightly, I have felt good in practice and it was about trusting it and cashing in when you have the opportunity. I did that today. The way we've been playing this summer has been excellent, and now nice to contribute to that.

“Ultimately, you have got to trust your game and your technique. You have got to make sure that you stay strong and trust the stuff you have been doing well for such a long period of time. It was about spending some time out there and trusting the way I play spin. I haven't faced much of his type of bowling before.”

Willey, England’s limited-overs specialist, also had a good day. He played a big role in England scoring 94 runs in the last 10 overs and shifting the momentum away from India.

“His batting has progressed this summer and it had an effect on his bowling, which I thought was outstanding,” said Morgan on his all-rounder, who also returned 2/48.

In the T20Is, India won the decider to take the series 2-1. Whether that happens in the ODIs too or not remains to be seen, but with Root returning to big-scoring ways, England will be confident of living up to their status as the No.1 side in the MRF Tyres ICC ODI Team Rankings and adding another bilateral series title to their cabinet.