Roy smashes 180 as England outplay Australia in 1st ODI

TIL Desk Sports/ Opener Jason Roy smashed England’s highest individual score in one-day internationals to guide his side to a comfortable five-wicket victory against Australia in the opening match of the series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday.

The 27-year old hit 180 and combined in a third-wicket stand of 221 with Test skipper Joe Root, who made an unbeaten 91, to make the seemingly steep 305-run chase look easy and help England to their first win on the tour.

Roy surpassed teammate Alex Hales’s previous ODI best of 171 during his 151-ball knock as England cruised home with seven balls to spare in a morale-boosting victory, after a demoralising 4-0 loss in the Ashes Tests.

After being put in to bat in the opening ODI of the five-match series, Australia opener Aaron Finch compiled his ninth hundred in the 50-over format to help the hosts to a total of 304 for eight.