Ton-up Roy’s ‘knuckling down’ works wonders for England
Hosts build 2-0 lead in five-match one-day series against Australia
England’s Jason Roy believes he is adding an extra dimension to his game by “knuckling down” at the start of an innings.
The 27-year-old, long known as a brilliant ball-striker, made a polished 120 as England beat world champions Australia by 38 runs to win the second Oneday International in Cardiff on Saturday and so take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
Roy’s innings and a typically quick-fire 91 not out from stand-in captain Jos Buttler, deputising after regular skipper Eoin Morgan suffered a back spasm shortly before the toss, took England to a total of 342 for eight.
Australia opener Shaun Marsh made 131 on his Glamorgan ‘home’ ground but the tourists were still bowled out for 304 with 17 balls to spare.
Roy struck an England ODI record 180 against Australia in Melbourne in January this year.
But, after talking with England batting coach Graham Thorpe. he rated Saturday’s innings the best of his five ODI hundreds after his side were sent into bat in overcast conditions by Australia captain Tim Paine.
That Roy has shown he can score hundreds in different styles will be a boost to England as they seek a maiden World Cup title when staging next year’s edition.
“I had a long discussion with Thorpey just after I got out and said it was probably my favourite innings — as far as the tempo of it, the way I knuckled down early,” said Roy.
“I went through some difficult patches, but then came out the other side.
“When I wanted to start expanding my game, unfortunately I got out — but I was still happy.”
Early dismissal is an occupational hazard for all openers, and certainly for someone as attack-minded as Roy.
The other side of life at the top of the order was there for all to see when he was out for a second-ball duck at The Oval during England’s three-wicket win in Wednesday’s seriesopener.
But Roy was able to play himself in on Saturday while opening partner Jonny Bairstow made a dashing 42.
“I was able to knuckle down and get myself in,” Roy said. “(Jonny) is great to watch isn’t he at the moment? He’s in some incredible form.”