While Rohit Sharma’s probable retirement dominated the lead-up to the third ODI at Lord’s, it was England, ranked seventh in the ICC ODI rankings, that stole the limelight by beating the top-ranked India and clinching the series.
“I thought we fought hard and communicated really well, just as we did throughout the T20Is. To come away with a series win against the world No. 1 team is a fantastic achievement,” said England captain Harry Brook after the match.
England’s huge 387 first-innings total was built on a 192-run opening partnership between Jacob Bethell and Ben Duckett as well.
Brook hailed the openers saying, “We spoke a lot about the template we wanted to play with. The way Beth (Bethell) and Ducky (Duckett) started the innings was phenomenal. To be none down after 20 or 30 overs, without looking like taking many risks, was an outstanding partnership. Then Rooty (Joe Root) did what Rooty does, and the way Jos (Buttler) finished the innings was awesome to watch. It was a very, very good all-round batting performance.”
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“I actually came off for an over and had a chat with Baz (McCullum). It comes back to communication, to be honest. It’s been outstanding throughout this series and the T20Is. We decided to stick with Jacob (Bethell), and he ended up bowling seven or eight overs straight through. That turned out to be a really vital part of the game. I thought everyone stuck to the plan really well. We fought, we scrapped as hard as we could. It was tough at times, but we got the job done,” Brook said again.
Joe Root, who bagged the Player of the Series award for stunning scores of 99*, 76* and 74*, said that the series represented another step in England’s development as well.
“I think when you’ve got an opportunity to beat the number one team in the world and bounce back from that first game in the manner that we have, that’s the most rewarding thing. For us to build off the back of Sri Lanka with a brilliant series win there, to now win this series, it shows that progression. It shows that we’re going in the right direction and trending in a really positive way with the World Cup further down the line. So, lots of good signs. Nice to contribute, but ultimately it’s just great to see the guys developing, learning and, as a team, gradually getting better,” Harry Brook concluded.
