England’s Jason Roy scores big in losing cause against Proteas

Last updated on January 30th, 2023 at 03:08 pm

In the first game of their ODI series against South Africa, England fell short by 27 runs despite Jason Roy’s heroic 113 off 91 balls.

After winning the toss and deciding to bat first at Manguan Oval, South Africa recovered from being 116-3 to reach 298-7 from their 50 overs because of Rassie van der Dussen‘s fourth ODI century and a 110-run fifth-wicket stand with David Miller (53).

The Proteas’ seam attack, led by Anrich Nortje with 4-62, prevented England from advancing as Roy stole the show and rediscovered his form with the bat as he shared an opening partnership of 146 with Dawid Malan.

After being out of the England team’s lineup since March 2021, Jofra Archer found it challenging to make a comeback to international cricket. Even though he only had 10 overs and gave up 81 runs, he did at least end with a wicket after getting Wayne Parnell late in the innings.

After battling through elbow and back ailments and warming up for this series by playing in the SA20, Archer’s much-anticipated return for England after 678 days has been the centre of attention during the build-up.

However, the 27-year-old was forced to toil during an unproductive five-over opening performance as South Africa batters Temba Bavuma and Quinton de Kock took on both him and David Willey from the start. Prior to this, the bowler had claimed 30 wickets at a pitiful average of just 24 each in his 17 ODIs.

South Africa’s first 50-run opening stand in their last eight ODIs was achieved by the pair after just 42 balls, but a change in bowling paid off for the visitors as Proteas captain Bavuma was taken for 36 by Sam Curran off Moeen Ali in the ninth over.

Five overs later, seamer Curran (3-35) bowled a short pitch delivery that reared up at de Kock, who attempted to pull but instead received an outside edge that went through to wicketkeeper Buttler, removing him for 37.

The hosts had been moving along quickly at almost seven an over up until that point, and they were reduced to 116-3 in the 22nd over when Aidan Markram was caught by Dawid Malan for 13 and Olly Stone struck with his first ball to remove him.

However, it was Van der Dussen who spearheaded the rescue as he added 55 runs for the fourth wicket with Heinrich Klaasen before the latter was dismissed for 30 after being caught lbw by Adil Rashid, and then they put on a strong fifth-wicket partnership with David Miller.

With five overs left, the right-hander, who averages close to 74 in ODIs, reached his century with a single and then sliced one away to the boundary the next delivery to help the Proteas surpass 250.