Twitter Reactions: Jason Roy's blistering century helps England register a historic chase

The London crowd witnessed a historic run chase as England took on Sri Lanka in the fourth ODI. The match had been reduced to a 42 overs affair due to rain interruption and the D/L method. Earlier in the day, it was English captain Eoin Morgan who won the toss as the hosts elected to field first.

The islanders lost Kusal Perera early but this was followed by some astounding performance by the middle order. Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Mathews, all scored brilliant half centuries as they guided Sri Lanka to a respectable total of 305/5 in the 42 overs.

English bowlers, on the other hand, had to toil hard and went for runs. Adil Rashid and David Willey picked up a couple of wickets while the others failed to take any. Chasing 306 runs in 42 overs was always going to be a difficult task under any condition.

Moeen Ali’s wicket put them on the backfoot straightaway but Jason Roy had other plans. He went on to hit a magnificent 162 from just 118 balls as he led the home team to a significant victory. Joe Root announced his arrival to form with a quickfire 65 from just 54 balls. Bairstow and Morgan then provided the finishing touches as England won by 6 wickets with more than 10 balls to spare.

Also read – England v Sri Lanka, 4th ODI – 5 Talking Points

Twitter was filled with reactions from the splendid chase. While many were full of praise for the outstanding batting by Sri Lankan middle order, it was Jason Roy who grabbed the eyeballs at the end of the day with his scintillating knock. He was deservingly awarded the man of the match. Here are some of the Twitter reactions that took place during the course of the game:

Amazing to think that this very good England ODI side will completely forget how to play 50 over cricket in less than three years. #ENGvSL

— Dan Liebke (@LiebCricket) June 29, 2016

Sri Lanka were never in the series once they let the first match slip. Btw, where is Robin Smith nowadays? #EngvSL

— Cricket Fantasy (@Cricket_Fantasy) June 29, 2016

Jason Roy …. when serious talent is given the time and patience to learn just how good he can be , just the beginning …. well played

— Chris Adams (@grizz598) June 29, 2016

Remember England made totals they thought were amazing, then SL chased them down without breaking a sweat? Well, time to cry self to sleep.

— Andrew F Fernando (@andrewffernando) June 29, 2016

At least one England team is winning with an inspirational Roy. #ENGvSL

— Simon Ward (@siwardsport) June 29, 2016

This is Eng's 2nd bilateral ODI series win at home in last 7 attempts. In the 8 series prior to that, they won seven and drew one.#ENGvSL

— Deepu Narayana (@deeputalks) June 29, 2016

Most 150+ scores in ODIs against a single team:

12 – SRI LANKA
9 – Bangladesh
9 – India
9 – Zimbabwe#ENGvSL

— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) June 29, 2016

Sri Lanka's law of averages in fielding – Every good catch has to be followed by a silly drop #ENGvSL

— Shashi (@AllTimeBakchod) June 29, 2016

deliver in these situations. Might seem straightforward, but with a tiring Roy, this could be very tricky.

— Alagappan Vijaykumar (@IndianMourinho) June 29, 2016

Nope….that's better than anything I've managed more of @Colly622 back in the day catch https://t.co/mvbB4sljFB

— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) June 29, 2016

WICKET! WHAT.A.CATCH! Morgan superbly taken by Gunathilaka.
Watch on Sky Sports 2: https://t.co/5zyvQxF62u #ENGvSL pic.twitter.com/MG3qDQMQvg

— Sky Sports Cricket? (@SkyCricket) June 29, 2016

The moment you reach 100 on your home ground. Get in there @jasonroy20, back-to-back centuries ?? https://t.co/POf3OlcDJW

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 29, 2016

https://twitter.com/altcricket/status/748229148045348864

Chandimal is scoring runs consistently & with confident fake appeals behind d wicket, he has successfully replaced Kumar Sangakkara #ENGvSL

— Shashi (@AllTimeBakchod) June 29, 2016

Angelo Mathews' captaincy. #ENGvSL pic.twitter.com/1QG6dH7zrk

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) June 29, 2016

Fifty up for Joe Root. A welcome return to form for the golden child

— Dean Wilson (@CricketMirror) June 29, 2016

J Roy another young player benefitting from the experience of a run in the team ..

— David 'Bumble' Lloyd (@BumbleCricket) June 29, 2016

Moeen Ali gets a lots of chances for a guy who doesn't consistently get a lot of runs or take a lot of wickets #ENGvSL

— Brett Graham (@worldofBG) June 29, 2016

Willey would be a good cage fighter. He's spiky and devious and comes at you from awkward angles. #ENGvSL

— Pavilion Opinions (@pavilionopinion) June 29, 2016

Sixth consecutive 50-run stand between Chandimal and Mathews! #ENGvSL

— Nikhil Mane ??? (@nikhiltait) June 29, 2016

Kusal Perera – 4th run out in his last 7 ODI innings!#EngvSL

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) June 29, 2016

Kusal Mendis – The next big thing in Sri Lanka cricket, scoring fifties for fun #ENGvSL

— Daniel Alexander (@daniel86cricket) June 29, 2016

*Kushal Perera farts*
Commentators: That's very much like Sanath Jayasuriya#ENGvSL

— Shashi (@AllTimeBakchod) June 26, 2016