ENG vs AUS 2018: Its Been Good Fun in the Series so Far - Jason Roy

It proved to be yet another stunning performance from the home team England, as they defeated World Champions, Australia by six wickets to take a 4-0 lead in the five-match series.

It was some brilliant batting by England, as they eventually chased the target of 311 down with utmost ease in the end. Early in the day, it was fluent centuries from Shaun Marsh and Aaron Finch which helped Australia post a decent 310 on the board in their allotted 50 overs.

They began pretty well after skipper Tim Paine won the toss and batted first. Finch and Travis Head shared a 101-run partnership in 19 overs. It was sensible batting by the duo, but they failed to accelerate during the powerplay overs.

Following the dismissal of Head, it was a partnership of 124 runs between Shaun Marsh and Finch which kept Australia in control of proceedings.

However, their run-rate was never out of reach. Finch fell after scoring 100 while Marsh scored 101 off 92 deliveries. It was an impressive knock by Marsh which helped Australia go past the 300-mark. For the English brigade, it was David Willey who was the pick of the bowlers with a four-wicket haul.

Given England’s batting line-up and recent exploits, the target of 311 wasn’t going to be tough.

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For yet another time, it was a great start provided by the English openers, Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow. The duo shared a 174-run partnership in less than 24 overs. The match was almost sealed by then, as England required less than 5.50 runs per over.

Bairstow made 78 off 66 balls which included ten fours. A few wickets fell here and there, but the target was always going to be less for the No 1 ODI team in the world. It is a perfect result for England after the unexpected loss to Scotland in the one-off ODI.

Wicket-keeper batsman Jos Buttler continued his excellent touch and remained unbeaten on 54 off 29 deliveries, as England completed a comprehensive victory in the end.

Here is what Man of the Match, Jason Roy said at the post-match presentation,

“It’s been good fun, ya. I am feeling like I have got myself into a training routine. Feeling good that I am doing the job for the team. Just trying to control and pace my innings. Unfortunately couldn’t carry on after the century. Was concentrating on taking the catch (Marsh’s dismissal) and tuck it to someone, was lucky that I threw it to the big fellow (Overton).”

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