England's 230 - the best chase in English cricket history?
Tuesday 22 March 2016 07:18, UK
Below are five other memorable contenders… Let us know your favourite @SkyCricket
148-3 v Australia, Bridgetown - World T20 2010
It was not the highest of chases, but one of the most significant in England's history as they lifted a limited-overs trophy for the first time. After losing their opening game of the tournament against West Indies, England went on a run of victories to find themselves facing Australia in the final. Having been set 148 to win, England lost Michael Lumb early on but through Craig Kieswetter (63) and Kevin Pietersen (47) they cantered to a seven-wicket win with three overs remaining, with Paul Collingwood hitting the winning runs before lifting the trophy.
350-3 v New Zealand, Nottingham - Fourth ODI 2015
Feature: watch highlights of each match in 'The Greatest ODI series ever?'
It marked the dawning of a brave new era for England. After humiliation at the 2015 World Cup and subsequent overhaul of the squad, Eoin Morgan led his men to an astonishing series win over New Zealand - the World Cup runners-up - in swashbuckling style. With the series on the line and set 350 to win by the Black Caps, Roy and Alex Hales pulverised the bowling attack to put on exactly 100 in just over 10 overs. The momentum continued, with Root and Morgan hitting a century apiece as they raced to a seven-wicket win with six overs to spare.
338-8 v India, Bangalore - World Cup 2011
England came so close to a major upset in the 2011 World Cup as they tied with home favourites and eventual champions India in Bangalore. The hosts piled on a massive 338, with Sachin Tendulkar making a sublime 120, to all but put the game out of England's reach. However Andrew Strauss' career-best 158 took England to the brink of an unlikely victory in a game hailed as one of the greatest in World Cup history. Strauss shared 170 for the third wicket with Ian Bell before they faltered, falling in consecutive deliveries. There was more drama to follow, as Tim Bresnan, Graeme Swann and Ajmal Shahzad struck a six each to leave England needing two off the last ball, which Shahzad could only scramble for a single in a tense finale.
190-4 v Sri Lanka, Chittagong - World T20 2014
Arguably the innings that announced Hales as a real player on the international stage. With his side staring down the barrel at nought for two after the first over, Hales batted with maturity before unleashing towards the end of the innings to seal a stunning win to temporarily keep England's World Cup hopes alive. After recording England's first T20 century, Hales stayed to the end and hit the winning runs as he finished 116 not out from just 64 balls, hitting six sixes. England were knocked out of the tournament in the group stage, but Hales' brilliance marked him out as a key player for the future.
129-7 v Australia, Trent Bridge - Fourth Ashes Test 2005
This one may have come in the longest version of the game, but it was one of the most dramatic chases in England's history in a memorable summer. The brilliance of Simon Jones had helped England set themselves a modest target of 129 to go 2-1 up in the Ashes after 16 years of hurt. However against Shane Warne it was never going to be straightforward. The Australian legspinner took four wickets as England's middle order collapsed and panic set in. It was left to stalwarts and unlikely heroes Ashley Giles and Matthew Hoggard to see England inch over the line, with Trent Bridge erupting as Giles clipped Warne through the leg-side to claim a dramatic win.
Watch England take on Afghanistan in their next ICC World Twenty20 match from 9am on Sky Sports 2.
