Opening batsman Jason Roy and a dominant display from the seam attack carried England to an 106-run victory over Bangladesh in Saturday’s World Cup fixture at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, Wales.
- Hosts gathered record seventh straight 300-plus total
- Bangladesh lose despite ton from Shakib
- England jump from sixth to second position
England’s victory was a solid response to defeat at the hands of Pakistan on Monday, while Bangladesh were humbled after overcoming South Africa on Wednesday.
The result pushed England from sixth to second position in the 2019 tournament’s 10-team standings, behind first-placed New Zealand and ahead of third-placed Australia. Bangladesh remained eighth.
Captain Mashrafe Mortaza’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss banked on early wickets, but the Bangladesh attack was unable to oblige. Instead, openers Roy and Bairstow shared a 128-run alliance – and provided the platform for England to end with 386 for six.
This marked England’s seventh successive 300-plus total – the most in ODI cricket, after Australia managed six in 2007.
The Durban-born Roy impressed throughout an entertaining 153 from 121 deliveries – and accidentally ran into umpire Joel Wilson en route to three figures. He eventually perished in trying to strike spinner Mehidy Hasan for a fourth consecutive six.
Bangladesh’s reply was led by all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, whose 121 from 119 went in vain. An opposition attack, which favoured seamer Liam Plunkett to spinner Moeen Ali this time, capitalised in conducive conditions.
The West Indian-born Jofra Archer and New Zealand-born Ben Stokes shared six wickets in a final total of 280 all out. Archer’s deliveries proved particularly dangerous, registering the fastest speeds of up to 153 kilometres per hour at this World Cup so far.
England’s next match will be against the West Indies at the Rose Bowl in Southampton on Friday, while Bangladesh will face Sri Lanka in Bristol four days prior.
Photo: Getty Images
