Azhar's failed hunch sums up Pakistan's day
Plays of the Day from England's record-breaking performance in the third ODI against Pakistan at Trent Bridge
Andrew McGlashan at Trent Bridge
30-Aug-2016
Alex Hales made an England record 171 • Getty Images
The tone
This was Pakistan's last chance to stay in the series. The decision at the toss was taken out of Azhar Ali's hands, but his team could prove they were focused on the challenge with a high-energy start in the field. Nice idea. What actually happened was Jason Roy got a thick inside edge through square leg which Mohammad Nawaz made a mess of chasing down, and allowed the ball to run into the rope. Pakistan's day did not get any better.
This was Pakistan's last chance to stay in the series. The decision at the toss was taken out of Azhar Ali's hands, but his team could prove they were focused on the challenge with a high-energy start in the field. Nice idea. What actually happened was Jason Roy got a thick inside edge through square leg which Mohammad Nawaz made a mess of chasing down, and allowed the ball to run into the rope. Pakistan's day did not get any better.
The reprieve
It took until the fourth innings of the series - England's chase at Lord's - for the TV umpire to call a no-ball under the current trial system. He was kept quite busy when Pakistan were in the field today. The first time he pressed the buzzer was hugely significant, too, because Alex Hales, on 72, had just pulled Wahab Riaz to deep square leg. Hales went on to add another 99.
It took until the fourth innings of the series - England's chase at Lord's - for the TV umpire to call a no-ball under the current trial system. He was kept quite busy when Pakistan were in the field today. The first time he pressed the buzzer was hugely significant, too, because Alex Hales, on 72, had just pulled Wahab Riaz to deep square leg. Hales went on to add another 99.
The captain's choice
Azhar bravely/foolishly* (delete as appropriate) brought himself on in the 23rd over in a bid to break the stand between Hales and Joe Root that was setting England up nicely. Two balls in, and it wasn't going well. Hales twice swatted him through midwicket, the second time for six, before the last two balls went for four again. The over cost 20. The captain didn't bowl again.
Azhar bravely/foolishly* (delete as appropriate) brought himself on in the 23rd over in a bid to break the stand between Hales and Joe Root that was setting England up nicely. Two balls in, and it wasn't going well. Hales twice swatted him through midwicket, the second time for six, before the last two balls went for four again. The over cost 20. The captain didn't bowl again.
The wait
When it has taken 23 years to break a record, what's a few more minutes? Hasan Ali began the 37th over of the innings with Hales on 165. The first ball was hit straight to point, then the second brought a review for lbw which wasn't that close but made Hales sweat a little. Then, when back on strike, Hales clothed a drive to long-on and threw his head back in frustration. But the next ball sat up nicely and was clubbed to the leg side. Robin Smith's 167 against Australia at Edgbaston in 1993 had been relegated to No. 2 on the list - even if Hales, typically, required his partner, Root, to explain why the crowd were suddenly so animated.
When it has taken 23 years to break a record, what's a few more minutes? Hasan Ali began the 37th over of the innings with Hales on 165. The first ball was hit straight to point, then the second brought a review for lbw which wasn't that close but made Hales sweat a little. Then, when back on strike, Hales clothed a drive to long-on and threw his head back in frustration. But the next ball sat up nicely and was clubbed to the leg side. Robin Smith's 167 against Australia at Edgbaston in 1993 had been relegated to No. 2 on the list - even if Hales, typically, required his partner, Root, to explain why the crowd were suddenly so animated.
The tally
So many landmarks were coming and going it was difficult to keep up. When Eoin Morgan launched Wahab's final ball for six it was the 16th of England's innings, the most they have hit in an ODI. It surpassed the 15 they collected against South Africa earlier this year (while making 399 at Bloemfontein). Their list of most sixes highlights the strides - leaps - they have made: eight of their top 10 entries have come since the last World Cup.
So many landmarks were coming and going it was difficult to keep up. When Eoin Morgan launched Wahab's final ball for six it was the 16th of England's innings, the most they have hit in an ODI. It surpassed the 15 they collected against South Africa earlier this year (while making 399 at Bloemfontein). Their list of most sixes highlights the strides - leaps - they have made: eight of their top 10 entries have come since the last World Cup.
The riposte
Mark Wood had the better of Sharjeel Khan over the first two matches of this series, beating him for a pace with a short ball at the Ageas Bowl then cartwheeling his off stump with a beauty at Lord's. This innings, though, was a little different as Sharjeel, with nothing to lose, showed the striking that has earned him a recall. The first four balls of Wood's fifth over all went for four - three pulled off the hip with a hint of Brian Lara. For a moment, when Sharjeel pulled again against the last ball of the over, Wood thought he had him, only for Hales to blot his copybook a little by spilling the catch.
Mark Wood had the better of Sharjeel Khan over the first two matches of this series, beating him for a pace with a short ball at the Ageas Bowl then cartwheeling his off stump with a beauty at Lord's. This innings, though, was a little different as Sharjeel, with nothing to lose, showed the striking that has earned him a recall. The first four balls of Wood's fifth over all went for four - three pulled off the hip with a hint of Brian Lara. For a moment, when Sharjeel pulled again against the last ball of the over, Wood thought he had him, only for Hales to blot his copybook a little by spilling the catch.
Andrew McGlashan is a deputy editor at ESPNcricinfo