Dominant batting display sees England go 2-0 up over Australia

Top Story

A hundred from Jason Roy and an unbeaten 91 from Jos Buttler powered England to the largest ODI total at Sophia Gardens, their 342 for 8 was enough for a 38 run win in the end.

Buttler lost the toss, standing in for regular skipper Eoin Morgan who sat out with a back spasm, and Australia would elect to bowl first.

Australia somehow managed to take the game deep through a Shaun Marsh century when the chase had seemed all but over at 164 for 5.

The tourists saw a rejigged top order flounder against spin yet again though Travis Head (19) and D’Arcy Short (21) enjoyed a short period where they were able to keep pace with the required rate.

Aaron Finch dropped down the order to provide stability but after Marcus Stoinis (9) was bowled by Liam Plunkett to leave Australia 99 for 3, he would be trapped leg before by Adil Rashid for a duck.

The thought that Australia might still haul in the target despite being behind the eight ball for much of the match was ignited by a less than clinical display with the ball from England who dropped Marsh twice before he reached twenty.

Marsh (131) was ably assisted in giving England some anxious moments by Ashton Agar (46) who played well but couldn’t quite find the acceleration towards the back end that was needed.

England’s effort was led by a stop start effort from Roy, mimicking the weather that frequently interrupted England’s batting effort though somehow no overs were lost.

Roy was supported by top order efforts from Jonny Bairstow (42), Alex Hales (26) and Joe Root (22) but it would be Buttler who would ignite the innings with someinnovative stroke play.

His innings included two audacious ramp shots straight over the keepers head for six.

England will be pleased with their effort with the bat but will want to see the bowlers be more clincal. Plunkett was the pick of the England bowlers statistically with figures of 4 for 53 but Moeen Ali (2/47) bowled the best on the day.

Latest