India v England, 2014
Wisden's review of the fifth ODI, India v England, 2014
David Clough
15-Apr-2015
At Leeds, September 5. England won by 41 runs. Toss: India.
The chorus of disapproval for Cook's England appeared to be baying for another defeat, but a wonderful hundred from Root inspired a consolation win. At 117 for four after 29 overs, with Morgan stumped for a painful 34-ball 14, England looked set for a 4-0 mauling. But, in September sunshine, Root came to the rescue with a career-best 113 from 108 deliveries to underpin England's only competitive total of the series; he was the first Yorkshire player to make a one-day international century at Headingley. The innings turned around as he and Buttler cracked 108 in 13.3 overs, including 55 in the powerplay. Root's early fluency was followed by characteristic hustle and, eventually, power: he cleared the ropes three times, with the second six, a slog-sweep, bringing up his hundred. Two early wickets from Anderson - his first strikes of the series - put England in control, and Ali chipped in. Finn persuaded Dhoni to squirt a slash low to point and, although Jadeja went down fighting, England always held the upper hand. For Cook, leading them for a record 63rd time in the format, the result felt like long-overdue vindication of his methods.
Man of the Match: J. E. Root.
The chorus of disapproval for Cook's England appeared to be baying for another defeat, but a wonderful hundred from Root inspired a consolation win. At 117 for four after 29 overs, with Morgan stumped for a painful 34-ball 14, England looked set for a 4-0 mauling. But, in September sunshine, Root came to the rescue with a career-best 113 from 108 deliveries to underpin England's only competitive total of the series; he was the first Yorkshire player to make a one-day international century at Headingley. The innings turned around as he and Buttler cracked 108 in 13.3 overs, including 55 in the powerplay. Root's early fluency was followed by characteristic hustle and, eventually, power: he cleared the ropes three times, with the second six, a slog-sweep, bringing up his hundred. Two early wickets from Anderson - his first strikes of the series - put England in control, and Ali chipped in. Finn persuaded Dhoni to squirt a slash low to point and, although Jadeja went down fighting, England always held the upper hand. For Cook, leading them for a record 63rd time in the format, the result felt like long-overdue vindication of his methods.
Man of the Match: J. E. Root.