Duckett's big century sets up England series win over India

LONDON, July 19 : England beat India by 27 runs in a high-scoring contest at Lord's on Sunday to secure their first bilateral one-day international series victory against the world’s number one-ranked side since 2018.

Opener Ben Duckett laid the foundations for a colossal total of 387-3 in 50 overs with a record-breaking 141 from 135 balls as England took the series 2-1.

It was the highest innings in an ODI at Lord’s, eclipsing Viv Richards’s 138 not out in the 1979 World Cup final.

“That's pretty cool to me. Very precious,” said Duckett. “But all that I'm really bothered about today is that we've beaten the best side in the world.

“We've probably had a fair few critics over the last 12 to 18 months and a lot of that has been rightly so at times but now we can build on this.

“We've shown what we're capable of, we are just trying to be as consistent with it as possible moving forward.

“The bowlers have been pretty good this series. With the bat, we've let ourselves down a little bit so it was really nice to put that performance together today.”

Rohit Sharma gave India hope with a thrilling 138 from 110 balls which served to underline his continuing value to India after the talk over whether he still has a future in the side but, with Sam Curran taking 4-75, the huge target proved beyond the tourists.

Duckett, who hit 18 fours and one six, shared in an opening stand of 192 - England’s highest in an ODI against India - with Jacob Bethell, who made 91. With player of the series Joe Root hitting 74 not out - his sixth successive ODI half-century - and Jos Buttler a blazing unbeaten 41 off just 13 balls, England posted their highest total at Lord’s in an ODI.

India’s attack, missing Jasprit Bumrah with a knee injury, suffered badly.