Eoin Morgan unleashed a furious, record-breaking assault as England overpowered Afghanistan by 150 runs at Old Trafford, hitting 17 sixes as his side took over top spot in the World Cup standings.
The England captain was a pre-match injury doubt having been laid low by a painful back spasm but proved himself more than fit for purpose as he hammered his way into the history books with a merciless knock of 148 in just 71 balls.
Morgan broke new ground when he cleared the ropes for the final time – Chris Gayle, AB De Villiers and Rohit Sharma having all hit 16 in a one-day innings – leaving England on course for their highest ever World Cup total, 397 for six.
Tweet of the day
If Roy misses out, Bairstow will get you! If they both miss out, Root will get you. If they all miss out then Buttler will get you.
And, Jofra will always get you!
Give em the cup 🏆
— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) June 18, 2019
Posted shortly before Morgan started teeing off with abandon, Kevin Pietersen pointed out the enviable talent at England's disposal. Yorkshire pair Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root made hefty contributions but the headlines went to the skipper, who set new benchmarks for most sixes in an ODI innings and the fastest hundred by an England batsman in the World Cup.
World Cup snapshot
Hit for six
Hot shot
RECORD-BREAKER!
Eoin Morgan hits his 17th six of the innings – the most ever hit in an ODI!#CWC19 | #ENGvAFG pic.twitter.com/wFfjeBWOdv
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) June 18, 2019
Where to start? Morgan's one-man assault on the Afghan attack contained a barrage of fearsome blows and any one of a dozen would be a worthy candidate. It may feel arbitrary to hold one above the rest but, only for circumstantial relevance, let it be his record-breaking 17th six. Joe Root had just been dismissed from the previous ball when Gulbadin Naib floated one up on a full length and was crunched back over his head, with the ball thumping the advertising pads on the boundary rope.
Tournament tracker
Money ball
The affable Mark Wood showed his spiteful side to Naib, who had taken Jofra Archer for three successive boundaries in making a decent start to a chase that was always going to be insurmountable. Wood came into the attack for Archer and in his first over a searing 92mph bouncer went hurtling towards Naib's head. The Afghanistan captain was only able to get a top edge which led to wicketkeeper Jos Buttler sprinting to short fine leg to take an excellent diving catch.
Top run-scorers
What's next?
New Zealand v South Africa, Edgbaston (10.30)
One to watch
Trent Boult has had a quiet start to the competition, taking three wickets for 122 and drawing a blank against Afghanistan. The left-armer is too good to be kept off centre stage indefinitely, though, and will arrive in Birmingham eager to deliver a decisive performance for his side. When he gets on a roll things can happen in a hurry.
Standings
