London, July 20: England produced a record-breaking batting display during the third and final One-Day International against India at Lord’s, setting several new milestones as they clinched the three-match series 2-1.
The hosts posted 387 for 3, the highest ODI total ever recorded at Lord’s, eclipsing the previous best of 334 for 4, which England had also scored against India in 1975.
Opener Ben Duckett etched his name into the history books with a superb 141, the highest individual score by a batter in a men’s ODI at the iconic venue. His innings surpassed the previous record at Lord’s and came off 135 deliveries, featuring 18 fours and a six.
Duckett and Jacob Bethell laid the foundation with a 192-run opening partnership, which became England’s highest opening stand at Lord’s and their biggest opening partnership against India in ODI cricket. It was also England’s first century opening stand in the format since the 2023 ODI World Cup.
England’s aggressive start saw them reach 27 runs in the first three overs, the highest score by any team at that stage of an ODI innings at Lord’s. The hosts also went through the first 20 overs without losing a wicket for the first time since their victorious 2019 World Cup campaign.
Joe Root continued his remarkable consistency with an unbeaten 74, extending his sequence to six consecutive ODI scores of 50 or more, while also registering his fourth successive unbeaten innings in the format.
India responded strongly, with Rohit Sharma producing a magnificent 138, his 34th ODI century and eighth ODI hundred in England. Only England’s Joe Root has scored more ODI centuries on English soil.
Rohit and Shubman Gill added 147 runs for the opening wicket, making the match only the second ODI in history in which both teams recorded opening partnerships exceeding 140 runs.
India eventually finished on 360 for 7, making the contest one of the highest-scoring ODIs played at Lord’s, as several long-standing records fell during an unforgettable series finale. (Agencies)
