England ‘pinching themselves’ at ODI revival

Chris Woakes, the England fast bowler, has admitted the players “have to pinch ourselves” after the dramatic turnaround in their one-day fortunes over the last year. Since crashing out of the 2015 World Cup at the group stage, England have completely revolutionalised their approach to ODIs, culminating in a record-strewn performance at Trent Bridge that saw them set a new mark for the highest total by any team.

England’s 444 for 3 was built on 171 from opener Alex Hales – an ODI record for an Englishman – and included Jos Buttler striking a 22-ball fifty, another national best. It was the latest astonishing feat from a team that began the revival against New Zealand last summer, during a series in which they passed 400 for the first time and then recorded their highest successful ODI chase, also at Trent Bridge.

Victory over Pakistan gave England their fourth series win out of six since the World Cup (excluding an abandoned ODI in Ireland) and they are yet to lose a limited-overs match at home this year. Woakes nevertheless suggested England had been short of their best in the first two matches against Pakistan – victories by 44 runs (DLS method) and four wickets – and that the 169-run thumping handed out on Tuesday “wasn’t perfect”, at least from a bowling perspective.

“It’s credit to the way the guys have played, the way it’s led from the coach, the captain and …

continue reading in source www.espncricinfo.com