England's Joe Root celebrates scoring his century during the second One Day International (ODI) cricket match between England and India, at Lord's Cricket Ground in London on July 14, 2018. (AFP / OLLY )
LONDON: England set up another series decider after easing past India by 86 runs in their second one-day international at Lord's on Saturday.
Like the Twenty20 series, England won the second match. In that series finale, though, India prevailed.
England, 239-6 in the 42nd over, exploded with a Joe Root century and a David Willey half-century to post a suddenly imposing 322-7.
India's bid to win the series with a match to spare ended when captain Virat Kohli walked after being trapped by Moeen Ali on 45, and Suresh Raina, dropped on 28, was bowled by Adil Rashid on 46 at 5-154.
A curious innings followed from former captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who hit only two boundaries for 37 from 59 balls.
He passed 10,000 career ODI runs but the crowd booed and slow-clapped his defensive shots, and he was finally out going for a third boundary.
Siddarth Kaul fell in the same over to give fast bowler Liam Plunkett leading figures of 4-46.
The third and last ODI is on Tuesday at Leeds.
England was so spooked by India spinner Kuldeep Yadav, following the eight-wicket loss on Thursday, that it opted to bat first for the first time since October 2016.
The fears proved founded when Yadav removed opener Jonny Bairstow with just his second delivery. Bairstow played onto his stumps via his pad attempting a sweep, departing for 38 from 31 balls with his side 69-1.
Yadav also removed Jason Roy, but Root settled England's nerves with a measured half-century.
Root and captain Eoin Morgan built a 95-run partnership, with Morgan reaching his half-century only to sky another Yadav delivery to Shikhar Dhawan, to leave the field with a frustrating 53.
That left England 189-3, and its plans to hit around Yadav went up in smoke as Jos Buttler (4), Ben Stokes (5), and Moeen Ali (13) all went cheaply.
But Root was brilliant, notching his 12th ODI century from 109 balls, and tying Marcus Trescothick for most ODI hundreds for England.
Root was run out on the last ball for 113, including eight fours and a six.
Willey was not out for a 31-ball 50. He shared an 83-run partnership for the seventh wicket with Root, whose restrained innings lasted 116 balls.
