Roy’s the boy for England as they clinch series victory early over Pakistan
A n o t h e r b r i l l i a n t c h a s e ensured England will head to the World Cup on the back of a series win over Pakistan, with Jason Roy and Ben Stokes staring down a testing total at Trent Bridge.
Roy gave the hosts the perfect start to their pursuit of 341, cracking 114 in 89 balls before four wickets tumbled quickly to put the result in the balance and left Stokes to shoulder the burden. The all- rounder stood tall in a nervy finale, timing his run perfectly to finish with an unbeaten 71 and holding his nerve as Pakistan crumbled with a sequence of dismal fielding errors.
A three- wicket victory left England 3- 0 up in the one- day series with one to play, still unbeaten this summer and with a high- pressure triumph under their belts.
Stokes flicked the winning run with three balls remaining but Pakistan will know they should have gone closer, overthrows, misfields and the failure to appeal for a run out against Tom Curran all undermining their efforts.
Curran had earlier t aken four wickets to show his worth with ball in hand, while Babar Azam will feel unlucky to be on the losing side after a hardfought 115.
With Jonny Bairstow rested, stand- i n opener James Vince made a decent fist of his latest opportunity, making a pleasing 43 before bailing out of a big swing and playing on.
Roy, on the other hand, was destined for bigger things.