England hold off India to seal series

July.20 (Mirror Sports) - Ben Duckett hits a record 141 as England post their highest ODI total at Lord’s and beat India by 27 runs to win the series 2-1.

England survived a stunning India fightback to beat the visitors by 27 runs at Lord’s and seal a 2-1 series victory.

Ben Duckett smashed 141 from 135 balls as England posted 387-3 — their highest ODI total at the famous ground.

Duckett and Jacob Bethell gave England a flying start, sharing a record 192-run opening partnership. Bethell fell for 91 before Duckett was eventually dismissed after hitting 18 fours and a six.

Joe Root then took control of the closing stages with an unbeaten 74 from 48 balls, while Jos Buttler produced a late burst of power with 41 not out from just 13 deliveries.

Root's latest half-century was his sixth consecutive score of 50 or more in ODIs.

Chasing 388 for victory, India stayed in contention for much of their innings thanks to a superb century from Rohit Sharma.

The 39-year-old struck 17 fours and five sixes in his 110-ball 138 and shared a 147-run opening partnership with Shubman Gill, who made 77.

But Rohit's dismissal in the 38th over proved decisive. He was bowled around his legs by Jacob Bethell, leaving India needing to maintain an increasingly demanding run rate.

Virat Kohli attempted to keep the chase alive with 74, but India's middle order struggled to build momentum. Kohli was eventually caught in the covers off Sam Curran, effectively ending India's hopes.

India's lower order continued to find boundaries, but the target proved too great as they finished on 360-7.

England won by 27 runs to claim the three-match series 2-1.

England captain Harry Brook won his third successive toss of the series and saw his openers produce a record-breaking start.

Duckett and Bethell had endured difficult outings earlier in the series, but both were in complete control at Lord’s as India's bowlers struggled to find their length.

England raced to 27 runs from the first three overs — the fastest start by a team in an ODI at Lord’s — and soon moved beyond 100 without losing a wicket.

Their partnership became England's highest opening stand at Lord’s and their highest-ever opening partnership against India before Bethell was dismissed for 91.

Duckett continued to dominate, reaching his century from 108 balls before eventually falling after completing a century partnership with Root.

Root then combined with Buttler to power England towards a huge total. Buttler smashed four fours and three sixes in his unbeaten 41 from 13 balls as England finished on 387-3.

If this was Rohit Sharma's final international appearance at Lord’s, it was a memorable one.

The former India captain produced a brilliant 138, scoring his 34th ODI century and keeping India in contention deep into the chase.

Rohit reached his hundred from 84 balls and repeatedly attacked England's bowlers with his trademark pull shot.

Together with Gill, he helped India reach 253-1 in the 38th over, briefly putting India ahead of England's scoring rate at the same stage of their innings.

But Rohit's dismissal in the following over changed the match.

Kohli then made 74, including his first international half-century at Lord’s, but England's bowlers kept taking wickets as India's required run rate climbed.

Sam Curran finished with four wickets as England closed out a 27-run victory and secured a 2-1 series win.

        Third ODI, Lord’s         

England 387-3 (50 overs): Duckett 141 (135), Bethell 91 (93), Root 74* (48); Krishna 2-69

India 360-7 (50 overs): Rohit 138 (110), Gill 77 (84), Kohli 74 (60); Curran 4-75

England won by 27 runs and won the three-match series 2-1.