England post 246 in ODI match with India

England have set India a target of 247 as they attempt to avoid an ODI series defeat on the third anniversary of their World Cup win at Lord’s.

England just crept above the 241 they made in the unforgettable 2019 final, a score that was enough to tie the match with New Zealand and force a decisive super over.

But they were still second favourites at the halfway stage of Thursday’s second ODI after being kept in check by the tourists.

Moeen Ali top-scored with 47 from No.7 but was denied a first half-century in almost five years when he fell to Yuzvendra Chahal.

The left-arm wrist-spinner took 4-47, claiming the key top-order trio of Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root and Ben Stokes.

After capitulating for 110 at the Oval 48 hours earlier, England were once again asked to bat first and soon saw Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah regularly beating the bat.

Jason Roy saw Shami go past his outside edge on a handful of occasions and was then done on the inside by Bumrah.

All-rounder Hardik Pandya had just entered the attack, and struck Bairstow in the rib, when Roy (23) pinged a soft leg-stump delivery straight to the catcher at deep square.

Chahal then seized control for the visitors. Bairstow was first to succumb for a run-a-ball 38, aiming a full-blooded slog-sweep towards the stands but seeing a flatter delivery skid into middle stump.

Root, England’s best player of spin, was also undone through the air – sweeping too early at one that was tossed a little higher and lbw for 11.

Stokes looked to have found a method when he whipped two wristy reverse-sweeps to the ropes but he went to the same well for a third time and was hit on the back leg clean in front of middle.

Shami added to England’s woes, cleaning up captain Jos Buttler fifth ball with a full, swinging delivery that was just too good.

Having arrived at the crease at 5-102, Moeen was involved in England’s two biggest stands, adding 46 with Liam Livingstone and 62 with David Willey.

Livingstone made 33 before being dismissed by Pandya and Moeen pounded a couple of big sixes before holing out, Chahal capping his excellent day while Willey launched Bumrah down the ground for a useful 41.