Cricket: Brilliant Roy leads England to big win

Jason Roy celebrates reaching his century against Sri Lanka. Photo Reuters
Jason Roy celebrates reaching his century against Sri Lanka. Photo Reuters
Jason Roy made a brilliant 162 to lead England to a crushing six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the fourth one-day international at The Oval.

Roy fell five runs short of England's highest one-day score, Robin Smith's 167 against Australia in 1993, but the hosts eased to a revised target of 309 with 11 balls to spare to seal the five-match series with a 2-0 lead.

Sri Lanka scored 305 for five from 42 overs after being put in to bat thanks to half centuries by Dhanushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, who top-scored with 77, Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Mathews.

Their innings was interrupted by rain, however, and England faced a target of 309.

Roy was in prime form and, after Moeen Ali fell early, he struck three sixes and 13 fours from 118 balls in a superb exhibition of stroke-making.

Joe Root made 65 in a welcome return to form before Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler guided England to their second highest successful run chase in one-day cricket.

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