Mixing
Jason Roy and Jos Buttler propel England to 38-run win over Australia and 2-0 series lead
16th June 2018,
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JASON ROY pummelled a century and Jos Buttler turned on the power as England swept to another victory over Australia.
They beat the Aussies by 38 runs in the second one-day international in Cardiff and now lead the series 2-0.
With Australia also beaten at football and rugby yesterday, England’s success in the cricket completed a delightful losing trifecta for the men in the yellow.
Roy made 120 from 108 balls – his fifth ODI century – and Buttler contributed 91 not out form 70 balls towards the end of England’s innings.
It all added up to a total of 342-8 in 50 overs, which is England’s all-time best against Australia.
The Aussies were always behind the rate although Shaun Marsh kept them in touch with a thrilling innings of 131.
PAINE-FUL Tim Paine has tooth pulled out live on air after cricket ball hits him in face
But Liam Plunkett settled the match by removing skipper Tim Paine and Marsh in the space of four balls. Plunkett ended with four victims as he continued his happy knack of taking wickets.
Not only did Buttler score explosive runs, he also captained England because Eoin Morgan wrenched his back just 45 minutes before the start.
Paine was in charge for the touring team which meant it was the first time in the history of England v Australia fixtures that both teams have been captained by their wicket-keeper.
While England have regrouped and recovered from the shock of losing in Scotland last Sunday, Australia continue to look a underpowered because so many players are either banned or injured.
They have lost seven of their last eight one-dayers and the new regime of Paine and coach Justin Langer have issues with trying to win games as well as repairing their reputation.
Australia, drawn in by the morning drizzle and green tinge to the pitch, chose to bowl first. But it was a mistake because the surface became more tricky for batting as the game unfolded.
Jonny Bairstow looked in great form once more, scoring 42 from 24 balls, but Roy played the substantial innings.
It was in Cardiff last year that Roy was dropped for the Champions Trophy semi-final against Pakistan – a game England lost.
But the Surrey man has re-established himself at the top of the order and now Alex Hales has been relegated to a temporary No.3 and is likely to lose his place altogether when Ben Stokes recovers from his hamstring injury.
Hales was bowled by a beauty from Jhye Richardson that nipped back while Joe Root was caught at deep square leg by D’Arcy Short diving forward.
Roy scored at great speed but played with restraint, too, and was not fazed by a couple of rain interruptions.
When he reached his hundred, Roy might have thought of beating his England record one-day score of 180.
But then he was superbly caught by Paine, diving to his left just three balls after being hit in the moosh by a ball that bounced up in front of him.
Buttler has been in top form since erupting into action in the second half of the Indian Premier League.
He ramped successive sixes off Jhye Richardson, master pieces of audacity and skill that flew over the wicketkeeper.
Amazingly, England became the first team in one-day international history to post 50-plus partnerships for the first five wickets.
The third match in the series is at Trent Bridge on Tuesday.
JASON ROY pummelled a century and Jos Buttler turned on the power as England swept to another victory over Australia.
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