Jason Roy sparkles as England go 1-0 up

England’s Ashes nightmare is fast fading. In a compete antithesis to their slumbering Test team, the tourists’ dynamic 50-over side is stacked with firepower and match-winners across the board. For years, Australians were used to their bitter rival rolling out a workmanlike One-Day International (ODI) team, but those days are long gone as evidenced by England’s crushing five-wicket victory over Australia on Sunday (January 14).

Jason Roy, the dynamic opener, stole the show with a sizzling pyrotechnics show to smash the highest ever ODI score for England and restore pride for the battered tourists. Roy hit a brilliant 151-ball 180 to lead England to the victory target of 305 with seven balls to spare – the highest ever successful chase at the MCG. He combined in a match-winning third-wicket partnership of 221 with Joe Root (91 not out) to propel England to a 1-0 series lead over Australia in the five-match series.

Roy, who also notched the highest ever ODI score at the MCG during his record-breaking knock, counterattacked brilliantly and showcased his destructiveness with a flurry of boundaries all around the wicket. His bold batting was not without risk, as he survived numerous half chances and was given out lbw on 91 off leg spinner Adam Zampa but successfully reviewed as replays showed the ball hitting outside the line.

Chancing his arm from the get go, Roy smashed 14 runs off three balls in Mitchell Starc’s second over during a furious calculated assault in a roaring start for England. Against Starc (2 for 71) and in-form Pat Cummins – two Ashes heroes – Roy was at his cavalier best as he plundered Australia’s star quicks with 29 runs off his first 12 balls. With Starc and Cummins uncharacteristically rattled, England’s openers notched their 50-run stand in 19 minutes and off a mere 4.2 overs.

Without the services of their other Ashes blue chippers – Josh Hazlewood (rested) and offspinner Nathan Lyon (overlooked) – Australia’s attack looked noticeably weaker but Starc regrouped to claim Jonny Bairstow (14 off 11) to end England’s rollicking start. Shortly after, England were rocked when Alex Hales fell to a short Cummins delivery to complete an impressive comeback from the spearheads.

However, an unwavering Roy was unstoppable and perfectly complemented by a composed Root as the pair snuffed out Australia to hand England their first genuine highlight of a wretched tour. The eye-catching performance was a resounding statement and justified England’s burgeoning tag as a formidable 50-over team.

In front of a modest crowd of 37,171, the action was nonstop frenetic – a complete contrast to the attritional Ashes, which was disappointingly lopsided. Unlike the slow and flat Boxing Day Test pitch, officially rated “poor” by the ICC, the wicket refreshingly had a tinge of green and welcome bounce and carry. It was the type of invigorating wicket the showpiece event of the Boxing Day Test desperately deserved.

In a bid to set the tone for the series and continue Australia’s stranglehold over England, aggressive opener Aaron Finch (107) immediately looked the goods with a gorgeous on-drive boundary first ball of the innings. Two balls later he smashed a wide Chris Woakes delivery for another boundary to underline his intent.

After winning the toss and fielding, England looked energised through speedster Mark Wood’s extra zip, a characteristic their staid Test bowling attack desperately lacked. Wood immediately troubled David Warner, Australia’s most dangerous ODI batsman, who almost fell with a flashy drive just over cover point but perished moments later through a searing short ball from the speedster bowling regularly close to 150kmh.

Steve Smith, the bane of England’s bowlers during his momentous Ashes, showcased trademark exquisite touch with a bright start before legspinner Adil Rashid claimed the big scalp of the Australian captain and Travis Head, who got the nod at No.4 over bombshell selection Cameron White, followed soon after as the hosts wobbled at 78 for 3. Australia’s middle-order bane during recent ODI struggles appeared to be rearing before a stabalising 118-run fourth-wicket partnership between Finch and in-form Mitchell Marsh (50 off 68 balls).

Finch smashed his ninth ODI century in fitting style with a six as Australia eyed an imposing total well over 300. Their position of strength stymied slightly when Finch holed out followed by Rashid clean bowling Marsh. A late flourish from Marcus Stoinis (60 off 40) and wicketkeeper Tim Paine (27), playing his first ODI since 2011, enabled Australia to reach their desired target of 300 with a barrage of boundaries against an England attack losing its earlier discipline.

Stoinis revived memories of his astounding 146 not out last year in New Zealand with brute hitting, including two telling blows over the ropes. The 80-run partnership between Stoinis and Paine was vital for Australia, not only in the context of the match but in their determined bid to iron out a clunky middle-order with the next World Cup looming.

Making his ODI debut, Andrew Tye scored a last-ball boundary on his first delivery in the 50-over format as Australia finished on 304 for 8. The seemingly imposing total was nowhere near enough and Australia – unlike their dominant Ashes campaign – will be desperate for answers ahead of the second ODI at the Gabba on January 19.

Brief scores: Australia 304/8 in 50 overs (Aaron Finch 107, Marcus Stoinis 60, Mitchell Marsh 50; Adil Rashid 2-73) lost to England 308/5 in 48.5 overs (Jason Roy 180, Joe Root 91*; Pat Cummins 2-63) by five wickets.