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Root century saves England’s blushes

England avoided a one-day series whitewash yesterday, salvaging a 41-run win against India.

The hosts managed an impressive 294-7 yesterday morning, setting a rare hard target for India to reach in their 50 overs.

As it was, England put in enough of a performance to bowl the tourists all-out for 253 after 48.4 overs.

Joe Root’s second one-day international century helped England avoid the embarrassing duck and gave Alastair Cook a welcome rest from critics who have repeatedly questioned the England captain’s ability to lead his nation to next year’s World Cup.

Captain Cook praised his side. “We played really well, we know what we can do and it’s been really frustrating for the last few games that we’ve not been able to do it,” he told BBC Radio 5.

“One of Joe Root’s greatest strengths is that he can adapt, so I think number four (in the batting order) suits him.”

India lost two early wickets to James Anderson in the afternoon session — and although Ravindra Jadeja (87) and Ambati Rayudu (53) narrowed the margins as the world champions targeted James Tredwell and Ben Stokes, they never appeared to be on course for a fourth successive win.

Root had earlier played with characteristic bustle but also patience, a commodity very few of England’s detractors have counselled in recent times.

England lost the series 3-1 after the first planned test was rained out.

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