Morgan Lifts England To 256 With Brilliant Century

Morgan Lifts England To 256 With Brilliant Century

Eoin Morgan hits a shot during his century at The Rose Bowl

©Action Images / Paul Harding Livepic

England 256-6 (Morgan 107no, Shoaib Akhtar 3-40) v Pakistan
Fifth One-Day International, The Rose Bowl

Eoin Morgan scored a vital unbeaten 104 to guide England to a score of 256 for six against Pakistan in the decisive fifth and final One-Day International at The Rose Bowl.

Morgan's fourth ODI century, an innings full of class and invention, helped England recover from 47 for three to post a competitive score as he shared a 93-run partnership with Paul Collingwood (47) for the fourth wicket and an explosive stand of 54 in less than five overs with Tim Bresnan at the end of the innings.

After England won the toss and chose to bat, it was Pakistan who made the better start, Mohammad Hafeez having Steve Davies (17) stumped before Shoaib Akhtar bowled Jonathan Trott for three and having tormented Andrew Strauss with a consistent spell outside off stump, he finally had him caught by Kamran Akmal for 25.

Shoiab later had Luke Wright bowled for one ot return three for 40 and England were at various points in some trouble as first Paul Collingwood had to retire ill suffering from a migraine and then Ian Bell (28) strained a groin and had to use a runner.

Throughout it all, Morgan held his nerve, hitting eight fours and a six late on during his 101-ball knock, accelerating devastatingly towards the end of the 50 overs to propel England to a score they should feel comfortable defending.

© Cricket World 2010