Melbourne: Opener Jason Roy (180, 151b, 16×4, 5×4) blasted a mesmerising century to hand England a comfortable five-wicket win against Australia in the first ODI at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) here, Sunday.
After opener Aaron Finch (107, 119b, 10×4, 3×6) guided Australia to 304 for eight in their allotted 50 overs, Roy responded with a brilliant ton, fourth of his career, to help his team overhaul the target in the penultimate over.
Chasing a challenging target, England started off on a positive note. Openers Roy and Jonny Bairstow (14) helped their team to cross the 50-run mark in the fifth over.
But soon, Mitchell Starc (2/71) dismissed Bairstow before Pat Cummins (2/63) removed Alex Hales (four) to restrict the visitors 60 for two in the sixth over.
Incoming batsmen Joe Root (91 n o, 110b, 5×4) and Roy then shared a 221-run partnership. In the process, Roy registered the highest score by an Englishman in Australia and the highest by any batsman at the venue, topping Mark Waugh’s 173 against the West Indies in 2001.
In the 42nd over, Starc removed the dangerous Roy, but it was too little too late as the visitors were at 281. Root however held his nerves despite losing the wickets of skipper Eoin Morgan (one) and Jos Buttler (four), to complete the formalities.
Earlier, Australia scored 304 for eight with Finch, Mitchell Marsh (50, 68b, 2×4, 2×6) and Marcus Stoinis (60, 40b, 5×4, 2×6) contributing handsomely. For England, Liam Plunkett (3/71) and Adil Rashid (2/73) bowled well.
Brief scores
Australia 304/8 (Aaron Finch 107, Marcus Stoinis 60; Liam Plunkett 3/71) lost to England 308/5 in 48.5 overs (Jason Roy 180, Joe Root 91 n o; Pat Cummins 2/63) by five wickets.
indo-asian news service
