Joe Root leads England to 2-0 lead over Pakistan in ODI series

Joe Root's 89 led England to a four-wicket win over Pakistan in the second one-day international at Lord's on Saturday.

Joe Root in action on his way to his 89 that helped England to a 2-0 lead in their ODI series against Pakistan. Sarah Ansell / Getty Images

Joe Root’s 89 saw England to a four-wicket win over Pakistan in the second one-day international at Lord’s on Saturday.

Victory put England 2-0 up in the five-match series after their 44-run rain-affected success at Southampton on Wednesday.

Aggressive pace bowling, with Chris Woakes and Mark Wood taking three wickets apiece, left England chasing a modest target of 252.

Pakistan had collapsed to two for three before Sarfraz Ahmed’s 105, the first ODI hundred by a Pakistan player at Lord’s, and Imad Wasim’s 63 not out kept the tourists in the match. The pair put on 77 for the sixth wicket.

After a couple of early stumbles in their reply, a third-wicket partnership of 112 between Root and England captain Eoin Morgan (68) effectively put the result beyond doubt.

South Africa in control

South Africa’s top four batsmen all made half-centuries as New Zealand’s decision to bowl first failed to pay off on the first day of the series-deciding second Test at SuperSport Park on Saturday.

South Africa were 283 for three at the end of a day when New Zealand were on the wrong end of no fewer than five leg before wicket decisions, while seam bowler Doug Bracewell limped off late in the day with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.

Stephen Cook (56) and Quinton de Kock (82) gave South Africa a strong start with an opening partnership of 133. Hashim Amla and JP Duminy followed up with innings of 58 and 67 not out respectively.

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