Alex Hales’ England record 171 – bettering Robin Smith’s 167 not out 23 years ago – the highest one-day score of 444 for 3 and Jos Buttler’s new mark for this country’s fastest one-day worldwide 50 from just 22 balls all naturally overshadowed Woakes’ commendable efforts.
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Jos Buttler also came to the party and scored the fastest half-century by an Englishman, reaching the milestone in 22 balls – two fewer than skipper Morgan, who equalled the previous record with a 24-ball 50 as England equalled the world record for boundaries, with 16 sixes and 43 fours.
Eoin Morgan’s side are 3-0 up with two matches to play, having broken the record for the highest innings total by an global side in 50-over cricket with their 444 for three and, it is not too bold to suggest, the tourists also.
The 27-year-old’s 171 at Trent Bridge on Tuesday was the highest score in England’s 50-over history and inspired the team to a world-record 444-3 against Pakistan. West Indies, Johannesburg, 2015 438-4 – South Africa vs. India, Mumbai, 2015 438-9 – South Africa vs. Australia, Johannesburg, 2006 434-4 – Australia vs.
England host Pakistan in the fourth game of the five-match One Day International (ODI) series at Headingley in Leeds on 1 September (Thursday).
Dawson impressed on his worldwide debut in England’s last T20 match, taking 3-27 in an eight-wicket win against Sri Lanka at The Ageas Bowl two months ago.
The team was accused of failing to move with the times in one-day cricket, of focusing too much on Test matches to the detriment of the shorter format, and of a short-sighted, conservative selection policy.
This was for the first time a Pakistan bowler had given more than 100 runs in an ODI. Riaz also managed to take wickets from two no-balls, including Hales when he was on a mere 72.
Hales was past his hundred by the time Azhar had a chance of revenge, but he put down a sharp chance at extra-cover off Yasir Shah.
Hales broke Smith’s record when he clubbed Hasan for four. But the next ball he was lbw to Hasan to end a 122-ball innings including 22 fours and four sixes.
Pakistan captain Azhar Ali praised Hales and Buttler but accepted his own side’s fielding had been well below the required standard.
Pakistan’s reply saw Sharjeel Khan make 58, but once the opener holed out off Chris Woakes (four for 41) his side’s slim chance of victory went with him.
But he was merely delaying the inevitable and Amir was last man out when caught and bowled by Woakes.
Calls to sack the senior batsman, who was a surprise choice for the ODI captaincy after the retirement of Misbah-ul-Haq at last year’s World Cup, have grown after Pakistan were trounced by a record margin in the third ODI at Nottingham.
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Amir’s 58 contained the last record of a remarkable day, the highest ODI score by any number 11, as Pakistan nonetheless faltered to 275 all out in 42.4 overs.
