Image Credit- ESPN CricInfo.
Venue- The Oval, London [June 29, 2016].
In the Summer of 2016, Sri Lankan Cricket Team toured England to play 3 Tests, 5 ODIs and 1 T20 International. The Test Series ended in a 2-0 victory for the hosts, whereas in case of ODIs they were 1-0 ahead after the conclusion of the third game. Hence it was a must win game for the Lankans in the Oval. Interestingly in this do or die game, it was the English Captain Eoin Morgan who won the toss and elected to field first. The Hosts as we can see were simply sticking to their tactics of go for the chase of whatever you get.
As expected, the pitch was a batting paradise. Even though the Hosts did get an early breakthrough, but the remaining Lankan batters came all guns blazing. Riding upon the half-centuries of Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Mathews, the Visitors posted an above par total of 305 in 42 overs. Unfortunately, the rain played a spoiler in between as we lost a good number of overs. As a result, the English now needed 308 runs in their 42 overs to win the game as well as the series.
The run chase was very much on. Afterall the Hosts had a formidable batting line-up. But no one could have expected that the match could become a one-sided affair. The English chased down 308 comfortably with 6 wickets and 11 balls to spare. The match was easily won and so was the series.
Jason Roy played an innings of his life as he scored blistering 162 of just 118 deliveries. His innings comprised of 13 boundaries and 3 massive sixes. He was literally in his very best as he smoked every Lankan bowler who came into attack. Apart from Roy, Root too scored a quickfire half-century as England chased down this total with ease. The Match was done and so was the series.
To watch the innings of Jason Roy, Click Here.
