Published: Feb 21, 2019, 10:15 AM (IST)
Edited: Feb 21, 2019, 10:15 AM (IST)
England‘s status at the No 1 team in ODIs as well as favourites for the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup was underlined once again on Wednesday, with a stunning chase of 361 to beat West Indies in Barbados. (FULL SCORECARD: WEST INDIES vs ENGLAND)
Centuries from Jason Roy (123) and Joe Root (102) powered England to their highest successful ODI chase and beat West Indies in the opener.
Eoin Morgan hailed Roy and Jonny Bairstow for the “outstanding” opening stand of 91 in 10.5 overs and “the rock” Root for his 97-ball 102.
“We spoke at the halfway stage about the fact we have been in this situation before and we do believe we can chase big totals,” Morgan said after the win. “We bat very deep. The manner we started in set the tone of the innings. Jason and Jonny were outstanding. At no stage did we feel we were under pressure to up the rate.
“We were going at a steady clip and to have guys like that continuously putting pressure on your opening bowlers is not only difficult to play against but difficult to captain against as well. The ability to put your best ball away for four or six is heart-breaking as a bowler.” (READ: Roy, Root hundreds down Vice Chancellor’s XI)
Roy was dropped on 76, 82, 107, and 119 before he was out for 123 off 85 balls, having hit 15 fours and three sixes.
“For Jason to go on and play such a commanding innings really sets up a big run chase. It’s amazing the way he plays. It’s brilliant,” said Morgan. “People will forget Joe Root scored a hundred there, he made it look very easy, but we’re so fortunate to have a guy like that who can be our rock. And he’s no slouch.”
The second ODI is on Friday.
