England v Sri Lanka, 4th ODI: Five Things We Learned

England pull of their most calculating ODI chase to date to seal the ODI series. Here are five things we learned…

MAN OF THE DAY - JASON ROY

Being wise after the event is crass. “I told you so” leaves a bad taste. Let’s just say this - what a player Jason Roy is. England needed 308 from 42 and Roy made it look like dinner at Grandma’s house: routine, simple, a chore. My word he was good - a wagon wheel that made Jackson Pollock look like an impressionist. On his own ground, shorn of his regular opening partner, he took it upon himself to be the “name” batsman and delivered with stonking brilliance against the new and old ball. His 162 stands now as the second highest English ODI score but, my word, Robin Smith would have some balls on him to claim his 167 was better…

THE BUTTLER DIDN’T DO IT

Not even required. Here’s a bloke who has scored three of the four fastest ODI centuries in English history and yet, was just dotting the “i”s and crossing the the “t”s with 17 runs to accompany Jonny Bairstow’s run a ball finishing job. That England did not need him for a chase of 308 from 42 overs – an absurd total when you consider what the last 10 overs of a full ODI requires of you – speaks volumes of where this side is at.

19.5%

There are many reasons why this is an exciting side: many personalities that you’d be mates with; many to tell your friends about to get them in the game; the purveyors of white ball cricket isn’t the enemy of red. And nothing says that more than this stat: this team have scored 19.5% of all the ODI hundred England have scored. Ever. We’re so damn lucky to have them.

ABSOLUTE GUNATHILAKA

Kusal Mendis batted well but an astounding catch from Danushka Gunathilaka. I don’t want to give too much away but, sit down with your favourite drink, close the curtains, lock the door and enjoy…

OH MOEEN

This, it’s fair to say, was a day of opportunity for the Worcestershire all-rounder. After sitting out the damp one at Bristol, he was recalled in place of Chris Jordan, as England opted for an extra spinner. As Sri Lanka attacked he shed 58 wicketless runs in his eight overs - not an abomination but by no means a place-keeper for the final rubber. Then, rather surprisingly, he got to bat where he wants: at the top of the order. Ali has two ODI tons up top and enjoys facing a new, hard cherry. So Alex Hales’s back injury presented a welcome opportunity, only for Moeen to get out in the most Moeen fashion ever, an ugly waft in Pradeep’s second over and off he went. His opening partner made a ton; an opportunity missed.