England round off ODI series in style
23/09/2010
The England v Pakistan ODI series was clinched by the hosts with an assured 121-run victory over the tourists at the Rose Bowl last night (September 22nd 2010).
Having let a 2-0 lead in the five-match series slip after suffering successive defeats, Andrew Strauss's men were no doubt keen to get one over on Pakistan.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat, they set a target of 256 for Shahid Afridi's side to chase under lights, with Irish-born batsman Eoin Morgan stealing the show by firing an unbeaten 107 from 101 deliveries.
Despite a positive start in which Kamran Akmal and Mohammad Hafeez hit a series of boundaries in a first-wicket stand of 63, Pakistan never looked like reaching the score.
Graeme Swann and Stuart Broad picked up three scalps apiece and there were two run-outs as the batting collapsed, leaving them all out for 135 with a full 13 overs left to bowl.
Morgan was named man of the match, while the player of the series accolade went to Strauss.
Posted by Keith Prowse