IT’S ROOT WON!
Joe steals show to complete rout
JOE ROOT’S class and Jos Buttler’s power set up England’s 122-run spanking of Sri Lanka in Cardiff as they romped to a 3-0 win in the Royal London Series.
Root made 93 and James Vince hit his first one-day international half-century as England racked up 324-7. Then their attack made short work of the tourists’ reply, David Willey bagging a career-best 4-34 and Liam Plunkett 3-44. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 202 with 7.2 overs unused despite 53 from Dinesh Chandimal allowing England to move above them into fifth in the ICC rankings. Captain Eoin Morgan said: “We put in quite a convincing performance allround, much better than probably we played through the series. “Our fielding was a lot better, our discipline a lot better, we adapted to conditions a lot better on what was more a sub-continent pitch. “I am proud of the way the guys adapted, especially our quicks, on what might have been a difficult day, with short boundaries. “They held their length really well.” Vince (51) and Jason Roy began well but, as Danushka Gunathilaka recorded career-best figures of 3-48, it was not until Buttler smashed 70 in a stand of 109 with Root that England took control.
Root recorded six fours in his 106-ball knock and Buttler belted seven fours and a six from just 45 balls until he was yorked by debutant Chaminda Bandara.
Root was dropped in the deep on 90 but still fell short of his century when he was bowled having a mow at Nuwan Pradeep.
Vince effortlessly replaced the injured Alex Hales in an opening stand of 67.
From the word go in his second ODI, the Hampshire star matched England’s man-of-the-moment Roy shot for shot.
They ran especially well too, although one misjudgment would have been costly for Vince on 15 had Gunathilaka managed a direct hit after a diving stop at gully. Roy was caught by Kusal Perera at deep midwicket off Suranga Lakmal for 34 before Vince was stumped. Morgan holed out off Gunathilaka and Jonny Bairstow became his third victim when he chipped a catch to long-on. Willey had
Kusal Perera lbw and Bairstow ran out Kusal Mendis. Gunathilaka fell for 48 when he was pinned lbw by Plunkett to leave Chandimal and Co too much to do.