Well-deserved and overdue, diminutive James Taylor notched a brilliant century to lift England's one-day series hopes onto his tiny shoulders.
It's a milestone he should've chalked up during the World Cup in Australia earlier this year.
In the tournament opener against Australia in February, the 25-year-old was controversially left stranded on 98 due to an officiating blunder.
Taylor was given out lbw to Josh Hazlewood, which he successfully had overturned on review only to be told on the same ball his batting partner - Jimmy Anderson - had been run out to bring the innings to a close.
Officials later admitted the ball should've been ruled dead once umpire Aleem Dar raised his finger to give Taylor out.
Taylor survived one final close call on Tuesday to scamper through for a single and notch the milestone.
A straight drive deflected onto the stumps off the bat of teammate Chris Woakes, and then back into the hands of young Pat Cummins.
The Australian quick ripped a stump from the ground in order to affect a run out, as the bails had already been broken, but not before Taylor made his ground to reach three figures.
"It was nice to finally get over the line," he said.
It capped off a special knock for the 25-year-old, who played with patience and hit just four boundaries.
"It was an absolutely outstanding performance," captain Eoin Morgan said.
"Today was a crucial innings. The wicket became more difficult to play on as the innings progressed, and James adapted beautifully."
Morgan was also full of praise for the remarkable one-handed catch by paceman Steve Finn which removed Australian skipper Steve Smith.
Fielding at short mid-wicket, Finn launched his 198cm frame into the air and stuck his right hand out to snare a memorable catch.
"I still can't believe it," Morgan laughed, shaking his head.
"It was an exceptional, absolutely unbelievable catch.
"I've never seen Finny take a catch like that. I was very surprised, and delighted."
Share
