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After the meltdown by England\u2019s footballers in Atlanta, the national mood was never going to be significantly improved by their cricketers. Nevertheless, a hard-fought four-wicket victory over India in Cardiff was a boost for Harry Brook\u2019s side and set up a series decider at Lord\u2019s on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Not that they did it easily. Set just 234 on a curious surface on which the ball stopped at times and only the technicians prospered \u2013 Virat Kohli had earlier purred to 65 from 66 balls \u2013 they slipped to 94 for four inside the 20th over. But thanks to Joe Root\u2019s classy unbeaten 99, a one-all scoreline was secured with 35 balls to spare.<\/p>\n Brook could certainly breathe a little easier. The England captain had\u00a0marshalled his bowlers smartly while skittling India for 233 in 44 overs, with Jofra Archer, three for 47, leading the way. But his dismissal for 16 when attempting an ambitious ramp shot off Gurnoor Brar was \u2013 much like the win \u2013 not the prettiest.<\/p>\n Although this is the thing with Brook: what brings him success can also make his dismissals so maddening. Here he ended up on his backside with his legs in the air, as India\u2019s players celebrated in hysterics. Moments earlier he had been clonked on the head when attempting something similar. He had also nailed one for six.<\/p>\n Still, for all that Brook continues to frustrate, the calming presence of Root ensured that slapstick moment was not terminal. His 133-ball vigil was a bit of a gem in this dogfight \u2013 a case of mastering conditions, picking off his boundaries (nine) and putting a high price on his wicket as they fell at the other end.<\/p>\n It began when he faced the second ball of the chase after Jasprit Bumrah had wiped out Ben Duckett. And it came despite watching Jacob Bethell edge Prasidh Krishna behind on four, Brook\u2019s lunacy and Sam Curran (29) becoming the latest England batter to fall this summer with the keeper standing up to the quicks.<\/p>\n In the end, after Jos Buttler was bowled trying to launch Axar Patel back over his head on 17 to make it 125 for five, support materialised in the shape of Will Jacks and 30 from 44 balls. He and Root put on 72 for the sixth wicket, with Gus Atkinson, fresh from figures of three for 50, then impishly making 23 not out.<\/p>\n