England capable of scoring 500 in ODI, says Chris Woakes
Thursday 1 September 2016 11:50, UK
Chris Woakes believes hitting 500 in 50 overs is not totally out of England's reach as the team prepares for the fourth ODI with Pakistan.
Woakes emerged with great credit, but none of the headlines, as England broke a raft of records in their series-sealing victory over Pakistan at Trent Bridge.
His 4-41 helped the hosts complete a 169-run win on Tuesday, with Alex Hales' record 171 - bettering Robin Smith's 167 not out 23 years ago - England's world-best 444-3 and Jos Buttler's new mark for this country's fastest ODI 50 from 22 balls all overshadowing Woakes' fine efforts.
England therefore have an unassailable 3-0 Royal London Series lead, with the first of two remaining matches at Headingley on Thursday, and are unbeaten in their nine white-ball fixtures this summer.
Woakes does not discount even bigger totals in the offing - but wonders if a magic 500 may perhaps remain out of reach.
"Who knows?" he asked.
"If the boys keep batting the way they are, you can never say never - but it would be a really freakish day."
England were breaking a 10-year-old one-day international record, set by Sri Lanka against Holland, and did so only from the final ball of the innings when Buttler smashed yet another boundary.
Live One-Day International Cricket
"It's a long time since that [record was set]," Woakes added. "We've seen 400 reached a lot more often - but whether 500 can happen, I'm not sure it can. I hope not as a bowler."
He believes England could well challenge their own new record, however, having now hit all their top five ODI totals in the space of the last 15 months - since they first topped 400 against New Zealand at Edgbaston.
Asked if they could repeat or improve on their latest feat, Woakes said: "I think it could happen... but not very often.
"It was a belting wicket with a fast outfield, but at the same time you have to perform well as a batting unit - and someone has to stand out.
"Obviously Alex has done that, batting fantastically - supported by Joe, Jos and Eoin [Morgan]. It was just an amazing day really. To set a world record is phenomenal - really amazing achievement by the team."
England's next chance will follow swiftly in Leeds, but Woakes warns they must have some caution before aiming too high again immediately.
"You'd be silly to be thinking 'try to get 445' - because you have to assess conditions and see what the score is on that day. But who knows what the next world record will be?"
Watch England take on Pakistan in the fourth ODI at Headingley from 1.30pm on Thursday, live on Sky Sports 2.
