Opener Jason Roy smashed England’s highest individual score in ODIs to guide his side to a comfortable five-wicket victory against Australia in the opening match of the series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday.
The 27-year old hit 180 and combined in a third-wicket stand of 221 with Test skipper Joe Root, who made an unbeaten 91, to make the seemingly steep 305-run chase look easy and help England to its first win on the tour.
Roy surpassed teammate Alex Hales’ previous ODI best of 171 during his 151-ball knock as England cruised home with seven balls to spare in a morale-boosting victory.
After being put in in the opening ODI of the five-match series, Australia opener Aaron Finch compiled his ninth hundred in the 50-over format to help the hosts to a total of 304 for eight.
Yet, the target proved insufficient as Roy hit 16 fours and five sixes in a belligerent knock, his fourth ODI hundred.
Roy reached fifty off 32 balls and gave England a rollicking start in its chase with an opening stand of 53 with Jonny Bairstow in under five overs.
England stuttered a bit after fast bowler Mitchell Starc dismissed Roy, with the touring side also losing captain Eoin Morgan and Jos Buttler soon after. Root, however, remained unbeaten to take it home.
Australia had earlier lost David Warner for two to a fast and sharply-rising delivery from paceman Mark Wood while in-form skipper Steve Smith (23) and Travis Head also fell cheaply as the hosts were reduced to 78 for three in the 14th over.
Finch, who hit 10 fours and three sixes in his 107, and all-rounder Mitchell Marsh then gave Australia a platform to build on with a stand of 118.
Finch and Marsh, who made 50, fell in quick succession and it was left to Marcus Stoinis and Tim Paine to provide Australia’s late assault and give it a defendable total.
Stoinis smashed 60 off 40 balls while Paine contributed a useful 27 as the pair added 80 for the sixth wicket to help the hosts get past the 300-run mark.
Brisbane will host the second match of the series on Friday.
