India v England: Chris Woakes plays down his contribution as tourists win in Kolkata
Sunday 22 January 2017 17:50, UK
Chris Woakes played down his own contribution after holding his nerve to deny India a series whitewash as England claimed a five-run win in Kolkata.
England looked to be heading for a consolation win at the start of the final over, only for Kedar Jadhav to hit the first two balls for six and four, before Woakes closed the game out to complete a 2-1 series loss in the one-day internationals.
However, Woakes, who finished with 2-75, praised the efforts of Jake Ball and Ben Stokes, who left India with 16 needed in the 50th and final over.
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"It's not ideal going for six and four in the first two deliveries," he told Sky Sports. "It was nice to close it out after the lads bowled really good overs before I came on so credit to them really.
"I got that important wicket and then bowled to a guy who hasn't faced a ball. It's tough conditions, and to get through and get the win in those conditions in front of this crowd, against a very good Indian team is good for us."
"We would have liked to have won the series but credit to the Indians they played some really good cricket."
England had earlier set a target of 322 for India to win despite losing the toss. Jason Roy made his third half-century of the series, while Jonny Bairstow (56) and Eoin Morgan (43) also made runs before Stokes boosted the total with a quickfire 57 not out at the end.
Morgan's men always looked to be in control with the ball after picking up both openers cheaply before Stokes had Virat Kohli caught behind for 55.
The hosts looked to be struggling on 173-5 but a partnership of 104 took the game down to the final over, before England clinched a dramatic victory.
It was a memorable day for Stokes in particular, who suffered heartbreak the last time he played at Eden Gardens in the 2016 T20 World Cup final, and he joked that Morgan had done the right thing by throwing the ball to Woakes.
"It was difficult last time we came here, but I put it down to Morgy for getting me out of the way and making sure I didn't come on at the end again!" he said.
"The win has been a long time coming, I think we forgot how it felt to be honest."
Morgan, meanwhile, praised his side's attitude and the discipline of his bowlers in another high-scoring encounter.
"It's been a very competitive series," he added. "We were rewarded for our persistence to get a result. A lot of teams would have fallen away.
"They (the bowlers) made me look good today. They were rewarded for a good disciplined line and length. It was an outstanding win and we did it the hard way."
Watch the first T20I between India and England from 10.30am on Thursday, Sky Sports 2.
