AUS vs ENG, 1st ODI Review: Jason Roy propels England to a much-needed win

A breathtaking rendition from opener Jason Roy and skipper Joe Root helped England register their first win in the ongoing tour of Australia. Chasing down a huge total, these both players made an absolute mockery of the hosts’ bowling lineup. It was one of the finest exhibitions of strokeplay from Jason Roy, which banished all the speculations regarding his ability.

It was Aaron Finch who got the Aussie ship up and running. David Warner was dismissed very early in the innings, but the Finch established a crucial stand with Smith to stabilize the innings. The duo added 48 runs before Smith tried something way too audacious and got dismissed. It didn’t take a long time for the Englishmen to get their third wicket as Travis Head’s stumps went for a ride off Liam Plunkett.

The hosts were clearly in trouble and needed some inspiration amidst all this chaos. Finch, who was going well at the one end, had no good support at the other. But Mitchell Marsh stood tall and tackled the adversities with great maturity to keep the scorecard moving. Finch completed his fifty and his exploits didn’t seem like coming to an end any sooner.

His diligence finally got paid off as Finch raced his way to a 9th ODI hundred. It was a knock which tested his mental stability, but he stood firmly and kept challenging the bowlers. He also completed 3,000 runs in his career during this marathon knock. Just a couple of overs after he got to three figures, Mitch Marsh registered a fine half-century.

Both these players fell prey to some excellent bowling in quick succession. But their 118-run stand put them firmly in contention for a total in excess of 300. Marcus Stoinis was accompanied by Tim Paine and Patrick Cummins to give a solid finish for the hosts. Stoinis mustered a quickfire 60 off 40 balls, which included 5 fours and 2 sixes.

Australia scored 304 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in their first innings. Liam Plunkett returned with figures of 3/71, whilst Moeen Ali bowled superbly in his 10 overs, giving away just 39 runs.

Jason Roy’s ton takes England home

Just the way it happened in Australia‘s case, England lost early wickets. Opener Jonny Bairstow fell prety a peach from Mitchell Starc, whilst comeback man Alex Hales hung in for just 3 balls. The Three Lions were in a spot of bother, just when they needed their skipper to hang in and put up a big score.

He did exactly that, stitching an excellent stand with Jason Roy. Whilst Root kept ticking the scoreboard with singles every now and then, it was Roy who took on the bowlers. Not many are oblivious to his power-hitting prowess, but this inning was beyond description of words.

There was a very interesting moment in the game in the 26th over, whilst Roy was in his 90s. He was given out LBW, but Roy after a lot of contemplation went up for the DRS. The replays and technology suggested the impact was outside off and that was the closest they came to picking a wicket.

He completed his century in the very next over after this incident. The carnage just augmented after he got to his hundred as inside no time, he got to his 150 and had his eyes set on a double century. Joe Root in the meantime completed his fifty and was racing towards three figures as well.

Roy’s brilliance came to an end in the 43rd over, but not before he scored a breathtaking 180 off 151 balls. A lot of damage was already done by then and England comfortably marched past the finish line. England won the contest by 5 wickets

Brief Scores

Australia: 304/8 in 50 overs (Aaron Finch 107, Marcus Stoinis 60, Mitchell Marsh 50; Liam Plunkett 3/71)

England: 308/5 in 50 overs (Jason Roy 180, Joe Root 91*; Pat Cummins 2/63)

Player of the match: Jason Roy

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