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The Ashes may be gone but England kicked off the one-day internationals with a thumping five-wicket win in the first of a five-game series. For that they have Jason Roy to thank. Chasing 305 for victory, Roy pillaged 180, carving 16 fours and five sixes from 151 balls, and setting a record for the highest score by an Englishman in ODIs, beating Alex Hales’s 171 against Pakistan in 2016.
England batsman Jason Roy acknowledges the applause after being dismissed by Australia for 180. Photograph: William West/AFP/Getty Images
Earlier, a ninth ODI hundred by the Australia opener Aaron Finch looked to have ensured an even tussle. His effort was measured and serene. Roy, by contrast, was a man with a claw hammer in each hand, swinging at anything and everything that came his way.
His half-century came from a chaotic 32 balls, and he was responsible for 12 of the 15 boundaries England managed in their first 10 overs. The path to his century was more treacherous. On 91 he misread the line of a ball from the leg-spinner Adam Zampa and was adjudged lbw. Upon review the ball was shown to have hit his pad outside the line while Roy was playing a shot. The decision was overturned and Zampa’s next ball was blitzed for six, just out of the reach of long-on. A scampered three off his 94th delivery then took Roy to his fourth ODI hundred.
Having lost his opening spot to Jonny Bairstow during the ICC Champions Trophy last year, Roy was recalled for the final two ODIs against West Indies last summer when Hales was suspended immediately for his part in the incident outside a Bristol nightclub on 24 September. The reprieve allowed Roy to score 84 and 96, securing a place on this tour. He now possesses the highest ODI score anyone has posted at the MCG, which helped pull off the highest chase seen at this venue. Hales’s return to international cricket lasted three balls: undone by Pat Cummins and spooning a catch to midwicket for only four.
“I had a very tough year in 2017, being dropped from the side and then being brought back into it towards the end of the year,” Roy said. “It kind of gave me a kick to recognise where I’m at. It has turned round incredibly quickly. That’s the nature of this game – especially in one-day and T20 cricket.”
His final 80 runs were a collection of reverse sweeps, hacks and a towering straight six. He departed as he arrived: swiping with disdain, only this time to the fielder at square leg. It ended a fine partnership with Joe Root that, at 221, is now the highest third-wicket stand for England in ODIs. Root saw the side home, unbeaten on 91. An unconverted fifty that will not bother him one bit.
There was a Sliding Doors theme at the start of the match when the first ball was struck for four. It was the 1,003rd competitive delivery Chris Woakes sent down on this tour and was driven back past him by Finch. By contrast Mark Wood’s first threatened to pierce David Warner’s right ear, skidding off the pitch and forcing the left-hander to flinch for the first time in three months. Wood’s third drew a tough chance at cover before Warner was squared up two balls later, popping a simple catch to Root at second slip, for two. Five balls in and Wood had England fans wondering what might have been. He eventually returned figures one for 49 from his 10 overs, bowling at a top speed of 93mph.
Mark Wood’s pace troubled David Warner. Photograph: Tracey Nearmy/EPA
“To give them a taste of their own medicine was nice,” Roy said. “The boys have copped it a bit over the last month. To see Woody coming in and doing that is a huge positive for us. He’s a massive asset.”
After missing the Ashes Wood now has the opportunity to move his career forward. He has made the squad for the Test series in New Zealand and is in the 2018 Indian Premier League auction. He will start off in the second-highest category: base price £170,000. The Guardian understands Royal Challengers Bangalore have registered their interest.
Wood’s solid start was made sweeter when Adil Rashid dismissed Steve Smith, caught behind via an inside edge. Finch then combined with Mitchell Marsh (50) for 118 for the fourth wicket, before he fell for 107 to Moeen Ali, the most economical bowler on show. A cameo from Marcus Stoinis (60) set a competitive looking target of 305. Roy made it look plenty short.
(GUARDIAN)
