Roy century powers England to massive 326 against Bangladesh in second ODI

England put up a fine show with the bat to threaten Bangladesh’s superb home record

A scintillating century from opener Jason Roy (132) and a gritty effort from skipper Jos Buttler (76) powered England to a massive 326 for 7 in the second ODI which Bangladesh must win to keep the series alive.

Opting to bowl on a surface which he deemed “softer” than the one used in the opening game, skipper Tamim Iqbal introduced spin from both ends at the outset to attack the batsmen at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Friday.

Apart from a couple of streaky strokes, Phil Salt (7) looked solid until Taskin Ahmed (3-66) came into the attack. He took out Salt with a full delivery, thanks to Nazmul Hossain Shanto’s catch inches from the ground in the slips.

England breezed to 50 in the 12th over before Roy reached his half-century off 54 deliveries. He then put his foot on the gas and smashed Taijul Islam (1-58) with back-to-back boundaries.

Tamim employed Mehidy Hasan Miraz (2-73) in the attack and reaped immediate rewards. Miraz trapped dangerman Dawid Malan (11) to break the 58-run stand and put the pressure back on the batsmen.

Coming in at four, James Vince (5) looked uncomfortable in the middle. Taijul then tossed one up to find an edge back to Mushfiqur Rahim. Three wickets down before reaching 100, England needed more recovery work with Roy still at the crease.

However, Bangladesh failed to take advantage of the pressure they created as some ordinary fielding reprieved some nervy running between the wickets by Buttler and Roy. It allowed the batsmen to regain composure and get into the groove.

Roy reached his 12th ODI century with Buttler ably backing him up with strokes at his end. England eased past 200 in the 35th over with a total beyond 300 on the cards.

Bangladesh turned to Shakib Al Hasan (1-64) for an answer and it paid off. The southpaw pinned him leg-before on the sweep to end a brilliant 124-ball innings which was laced with 18 boundaries and a six.

The England skipper, however, pressed ahead and reached his fifty in as many balls forcing Tamim to attack in the powerplay with five fielders in the circle. But Buttler, with Moeen Ali at the other end, sensibly rotated the strike avoiding any risk.

But with the death overs closing in, Buttler decided to retaliate and hammered Miraz for two successive sixes. The offspinner then bowled a full delivery which popped back to him ending in a spectacular caught and bowled effort.

However, England had cruised to 260 for 6 by then, eight runs shy of a run-a-ball in the innings, and were perfectly set up for a late flourish.

Ali obliged and clubbed Miraz for two sixes off Miraz to signal his intent. He cracked 42 off 35 deliveries before spooning a Taskin full toss to square leg for a catch.

Some late fireworks by Sam Curran (33*) then helped England post the massive total as Bangladesh conceded 84 runs off the last 10 overs.

Bangladesh fielders showed sparks of brilliance while lazy efforts by some let England batsmen off the hook, though the catching was on point.

Bangladesh came into the series on the back of seven straight home series wins. The visitors won the first game by three wickets in a tight contest, thanks to a superb century by Dawid Malan.