Morgan sets world record for most sixes

England captain Eoin Morgan set a new world record for most sixes in a one-day international (ODI) innings as the World Cup hosts piled up 397 for six against Afghanistan on Tuesday.

Morgan hit 17 sixes in his career-best 148 at Old Trafford, with England's total of 25 sixes also a new world record.

Morgan, dropped on 28, dominated a third-wicket stand of 189 with Joe Root (88), whose contribution to their partnership was a mere 43.

"We were just seriously entertained and that bat sounds pretty good -- he has been striking them well on the golf course and he has taken it out to the middle," said opener Jonny Bairstow.

"It was tacky early on after the wicket had been under the covers so we had to assess the situation then Rooty and I just saw where we could get to."

Afghanistan star leg-spinner Rashid Khan set an unwanted record with 0-110 in nine overs -- the most expensive return at a World Cup and second costliest in all ODI cricket.

Morgan's tally surpassed the record of 16 sixes in an ODI innings previously shared by India's Rohit Sharma, South Africa's AB de Villiers and West Indies' Chris Gayle.

But one ball after launching Gulbadin Naib for the record-breaking six, Morgan holed out off the Afghanistan captain to end a 71-ball innings that also featured four fours.

His innings, which featured 118 runs in boundaries, was all the more impressive as Morgan had been doubtful for this match with a back spasm suffered in England's eight-wicket win over the West Indies, in which he could not bat.