Roy’s return was crucial to England’s superb batting performance
England pulled off a convincing win against India by 31 runs on Sunday to lift themselves back into the top four of the Cricket World Cup table, ending India’s unbeaten run. It was the first time since 1992 that England have beaten India in a World Cup match, with the return of Jason Roy the catalyst to an aggressive performance that saw Eoin Morgan’s side back at their best.
Roy had missed the previous four matches and was sorely missed, in particular during the batting collapse against Sri Lanka, when England were all out for a measly 212 runs.
Against India, England’s opening pair of Roy and Jonny Bairstow scored a combined total of 177, demonstrating the swagger that has epitomised the evolution of this One Day side over the past couple of years. Roy’s aggression, as he strode down the wicket to hit boundary after boundary before he was dismissed by a spectacular catch from Ravindra Jadeja put England in good stead to rack up a high total.
How about this from Jadeja… an exceptional diving catch at long-on!
Follow updates from Edgbaston as #WeAreEngland take on #TeamIndia live #OneDay4Children on Sky Sports #CWC19 here: https://t.co/rHJDB91bun pic.twitter.com/gGSihzVgKg
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) June 30, 2019
Bairstow earned the player of the match award, with an emphatic 111 and some excellent work in the field, while Ben Stokes chipped in with an impressive 79 off 54 balls. But Roy’s presence was the most notable after a succession of underwhelming performances from James Vince in his absence.
The first 6⃣of the England innings and it is produced by Jason Roy!
Follow updates from Edgbaston as #WeAreEngland take on #TeamIndia live #OneDay4Children on Sky Sports #CWC19 here: https://t.co/rHJDB91bun pic.twitter.com/a9EwW2nN2F
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) June 30, 2019
The South African born batsman did not field, though, after sustaining a blow to his right arm during his innings, with James Vince replacing him for the second half of the day.
Morgan’s decision to bring in Liam Plunkett for Moeen Ali was justified, as Plunkett took three wickets, including India’s talisman and captain, Virat Kohli, who is still yet to score a century in this tournament.
Next up for England is another huge test against New Zealand on Wednesday. Morgan and co. will be praying Roy is fit enough to open the batting again, with Trent Boult’s rocket launcher of a left arm a daunting prospect.
England can guarantee themselves a place in the final four with a win over New Zealand, but a loss will leave them rooting for Bangladesh on Friday, with Pakistan breathing down their necks.
