Joe Root's 157 sees EPP to victory over Poona Club

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Joe Root taking his EPP chances in the sub-continent

Yorkshire’s Joe Root smashed an unbeaten 157 as England Performance Programme started life in the sub-continent with a convincing 127-run victory over Poona Club. Opening batsman Root blazed 19 fours in his 144-ball stay at the crease and was assisted by Scott Borthwick, who made 68, as the pair shared in a 6th wicket partnership of 144.

(PHOTO: Joe Root is taking his EPP chances in sub-continent)

Captain James Taylor also made 42 as the EPP reached 354-8 from 50 overs.

In reply, Poona were reliant on Karanjkar (50) and Waikar (41) as they were bowled out for 227. Spinner Danny Briggs claimed 4-33 and Lancashire duo Stephen Parry and Simon Kerrigan shared five wickets.

After losing the toss the EPP slipped to 23-2 as Alex Hales (9) was trapped lbw and James Vince (4) was bowled. Root and Taylor dug in to add 86 for the 3rd wicket, before Waikar accounted for the newly signed Nottinghamshire batsman.

Jos Buttler and Jason Roy were dismissed in quick succession as the EPP slumped to 143-5 before Root and Borthwick came together. The pair’s impressive 16-over stay helped England post a competitive total as Borthwick hit eight fours and a six in his 57-ball innings.

Borthwick became G Kukade’s second victim and as the EPP looked to add late runs, Parry and Naik fell cheaply, leaving the magnificent Root and Briggs, who hit three fours in six balls, to give England momentum.

Parry struck with the third ball of the match, trapping S Gugale lbw and, after M Sehmbey was run out, Kerrigan took two wickets to leave Poona Club rocking on 50 for four. Briggs claimed two scalps and then another either side of Parry’s double breakthrough including Karankar, who hit nine fours in his 56-ball knock, and Chavan for 35. Waikar hit three fours and three sixes to provide some late resistance, but the Hampshire spinner returned to dismiss him and wrap up the comfortable victory.