Roy marks his 100th cap with key role in triumph
NETHERLANDS ENGLAND
JASON Roy toasted his 100th one-day international with 73 from just 60 balls as England repelled a fightback from the Netherlands to move into an unassailable 2-0 series lead.
Roy was one of the few England batters to miss out in their world record 498 for four 48 hours earlier but, in a contest reduced to 41 overs per side, he hit top form to hasten their pursuit of 236.
Five of his first nine balls were dispatched for four and while he was unable to mark his landmark appearance with a century, his acceleration at the start proved crucial in a six-wicket win.
Phil Salt followed up his century in Friday’s series opener with 77 off 54 balls, although there was a second successive duck for captain Eoin Morgan as England endured a midinnings wobble, with the Dutch showing some admirable resilience.
It was ultimately in vain as Dawid Malan and Moeen Ali knocked off the remaining 59 runs required to help England overhaul their opponents’ 235 for seven with 29 balls to spare on a sunny evening in Amstelveen, where the start of play had been delayed for nearly three hours because of a wet outfield.
David Willey and Adil Rashid each collected two wickets while Brydon Carse showcased his impressive pace in his one for 36 after Netherlands captain Scott Edwards – standing in for Pieter Seelaar, whose back injury led him to announce his international retirement during the game – had opted to bat.
That decision may have been influenced by England’s sensational innings on Friday and though Roy was dismissed for just one then, he rose to the occasion here.
As has been customary throughout his time with England, Roy began with plenty of purpose and three cover drives in the opening over beat the infield. Salt was initially content to defer to his senior partner, but got into the groove by driving slow leftarmer Tim Pringle, the son of former New Zealand seamer Chris, who had been introduced in the fifth over in an attempt to stymie England.
Roy got to his fifty in the 12th over and looked to take down Aryan Dutt, hammering him to the leg-side for six before, in the next over, taking four fours in the first five balls. The last just cleared mid-off before he sliced the next delivery to short third man, visibly furious with himself.
The breakthrough ended a 139-run opening partnership in 17 overs, leaving Salt to act as the steady hand. However, he came down the track to Dutt and misjudged the length, bowled between bat and pad.
Morgan’s lean trot continued when a hack was caught at backward point and Liam Livingstone came and went as Pringle claimed his maiden international scalp, with England losing three wickets in 19 deliveries. Malan was given out lbw on 19 after being hit on his back leg only to overturn the decision for the second match in a row, but despite a few nervy moments, Roy’s early onslaught meant England had time on their hands. Malan (36 not out) released some pressure when Teja Nidamanuru dragged down, hitting him over midwicket, while Moeen (42 not out) took three fours in four balls off Tom Cooper before finishing proceedings off 36.1 overs with a pull for four off seamer Shane Snater.
■ Downpours ensured that just one match was completed in Premier One of the West of England League on Saturday afternoon.
The Taunton derby between Deane and St Andrews saw the away side triumph after chasing down a revised target in Somerset.
Deane batted first, making 189 all out after recovering from 55 for seven as Ed Middleton (52) and Ed Mellor (66) staged a lower-order recovery following Matt Liberman’s five wickets for 22 in ten overs.
James Rew’s 55 not out helped St Andrews to 119 for four in reply, which proved enough for victory.
The other four matches failed to yield a result.
Bedminster had the better of their clash with Clevedon, dismissing the Dial Hill side for 176 and reaching 31 for no wicket in just three overs before the game was washed out.
Max Tryfonos and James Duckworth both collected three wicktes for Bedminster, who are four points behind leaders Bath.
The table-toppers scored 256 for seven against near neighbours Lansdown, Sam Young and Tim Rouse both passing fifty, but the weather halted proceedings with the reply at 64 for three chasing 167 from 20 overs.
Potterne looked favourites at 113 for one after Chippenham made 171 for nine only for the rain to force an abandonment, while Thornbury and Bridgwater were also unable to play to a conclusion.