Twitter Reactions: Morgan, Bairstow and Root onslaught leaves Afghanistan shell-shocked

England’s batting is one of the very reasons why they are placed on top of the ICC ODI rankings. The Three Lions are currently playing their fifth match of the 2019 World Cup and have already won three out of their first four games. On Tuesday, at the Old Trafford in Manchester, the Brits again treated the fans with a batting masterclass against Afghanistan, scoring a colossal 397/6 in their 50 overs.

On a track that was expected to turn, the hosts had no doubt whatsoever in batting first. James Vince replaced the injured Jason Roy. On the other hand, their captain Eoin Morgan made the cut after not being able to bat in the previous match against the Windies at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. Vince and Jonny Bairstow put on 44 for the first wicket after which Dawlat Zadran nipped out Vince.

Vince mistimed a pull into the hands of Mujeeb Ur Rahman at short fine-leg after getting 26 with three fours. Thereafter, Bairstow and Joe Root carried on the good work and notched 120 runs together in 122 balls. Bairstow got to his fifty in 61 balls and just when he was set for his maiden World Cup century, Gulbadin Naib got his number through a sharp caught and bowled, Jonny got 90 off 99 balls.

Eoin Morgan unfolds mayhem in Manchester

After his dismissal, it was the turn of captain Morgan to wreck havoc. The southpaw didn’t show mercy to the opposition and kept finding the boundary with the utmost ease. He brought up his 13th ODI century off 57 balls, thereby becoming the fastest centurion for England in the World Cup, surpassing Jos Buttler. The 32-year-old carried on in his merry way and scored 148 off a mere 71 deliveries.

His knock was laced with four boundaries and 17 sixes. Eventually, Gulbadin Naib dismissed him in the 47th over, much to Afghanistan’s relief. Root also contributed with 88 off 82 deliveries. Leg-spinner Rashid Khan, who was expected to make an impact on a spin-friendly track, gave away 110 runs in his nine-over spell. Dawlat and Naib turned up with some blows in the fag end of the inning.

Here is how Twitter reacted to England’s innings