Little disappointing I could not be there at the finish of the match: Jason Roy

The England opener Jason Roy has expressed his disappointment on Wednesday (June 29) at failing to stay to finish England’s successful run chase against Sri Lanka at the Kennington Oval in London. The South African-born opener took centre stage on his home county ground and hammered the second highest individual one-day score by an England batsman.

Led by his 2nd hundred in three ODI games, 162 runs off 118 including 13 fours and three sixes, England clinched a six-wicket win as they chased down their revised victory target of 308 with ease. The hosts gained an unassailable 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

“It’s a shame and a little disappointing I could not be there at the finish of the match but to play an innings like that and help the side win a series is still very special,” he said after being named Man of the Match. “It was even better to do it on my home ground and in front of a packed Oval crowd cheering me and the guys on.”

The opener fell just five runs shorts of equalling Robin Smith’s 23-year-old record score of 167, which was made against Australia at Edgbaston, albeit in a 55-over clash. While admitting that he wasn’t aware of the record while batting, Roy said, “I didn’t know about the record and I am still proud of being second on the list. I expect someone will be able to beat Robin Smith’s score one day. I am sure they will. I will certainly push for it if I get the chance.”

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Eoin Morgan, England’s captain, said he was confident that the side could chase down the target after Sri Lanka had managed to post 305 for 5 in the rain-hit encounter. Courtesy Roy’s blazing innings, the hosts chased down the total with 11 balls to spare.

Praising Roy’s innings, Morgan said, “Jason was magnificent. He’s in fantastic form now and he is cashing in. It feels good to win this series but we want to finish it off with another great performance and win if we can.

“We have lots of match winners in our team which is growing and improving all the time. I have no doubt that one of them can achieve the goal of surpassing Smith,” he added.

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However, the England skipper wasn’t too pleased with the effort of his bowlers. “We bowled too many loose deliveries and balls which asked to be hit. It’s a very good wicket here so you have to bowl tight and accurately. But I always knew we could chase down the target.”

Meanwhile, Alex Hales, who sustained a minor back strain while fielding in the match and had to leave for treatment, will be asked to take a fitness test to decide if the opener can play in the final clash. The last ODI of the series is set to take place at Cardiff on Saturday (July 2).