ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: Jason Roy smashes special 150 in England’s clash vs Bangladesh

Jason Roy had started the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 on a high with a blazing fifty against South Africa in the opening game at the Kennington Oval in London. However, the right-hander endured a torrid time against Pakistan, dropping catches and being dismissed cheaply for eight. Roy bounced back in the game against Bangladesh at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff by smashing his ninth century. The century, though, was special in many ways and it broke several records for England not only in ODIs but also in the World Cup. Roy became the third player after Joe Root and Jos Buttler to score a century in this edition and it created a record in the process.

England’s tally of centuries in this World Cup is three and it is the most by the team in any World Cup. In 1975, 1983, 2011 and 2015 World Cups, England had two batsmen scoring centuries. Denis Amiss and Keith Fletcher slammed centuries in the 1975 World Cup, including the first in World Cups by Amiss when England took on India at Lord’s in 1975. In the 2015 World Cup, Moeen Ali and Joe Root blasted centuries against Scotland and Sri Lanka respectively.

In 2011, Andrew Strauss hammered 158 against India in the epic tied game in Bangalore and it was the highest individual score in World Cups by an England batsman. Roy was on track to break the record and after Bangladesh inserted England in on a flat deck, the South Africa-born right-hander took a full toll after a slow start.

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Roy opened up with two boundaries off Mashrafe Mortaza and followed it up with two more fours off Shakib Al Hasan. Roy and Jonny Bairstow regularly found the boundary and the partnership went past 50. Roy notched up his fifty in grand style by blasting Saifuddin straight down the ground for a six and then steering a short ball to the third man fence. Roy made serene progress and neared a century.

The right-hander got to his milestone, his ninth in ODIs by flicking Mustafizur Rahman to the deep square leg fence where the fielder misfielded. Having reached the landmark, Roy proceeded to punish the bowling. Roy blasted two fours and a six off Shakib and he then took full toll of Mehidy Hasan by clobbering three consecutive sixes to reach his 150. Roy was one hit away from becoming the highest individual scorer in a World Cup but he miscued the fourth ball off Mehidy and the catch was taken as he fell for 153.

Roy’s 153 was the third time he had gone past 150+ in ODIs, the most by an England batsman. His score was the second-highest in World Cups for England behind Strauss’ 158. His effort has helped England stay on course for a mammoth score.

HIGHLIGHTS

• England has hit the third century in the 2019 World Cup.
• Jason Roy's 153 is the second-highest individual score by an England batsman in World Cups.
• Andrew Strauss blasted 158 against India in the 2011 World Cup, the highest by an England batsman.