An inspiring century by opener Jason Roy (153, 121b, 14×4, 5×6) enabled England, the hosts to register a big 106-run win over Bangladesh in the ICC 2019 Cricket World Cup match played at Cardiff on Saturday.

Put into bat by Bangladesh, England got off to an excellent start with their openers Jason Roy (153) and Jonny Bairstow (51, 50b, 6×4) adding 128-runs for the opening wicket. Later Joe Root (21) added 77-runs for the second wicket. Later Jos Buttler (64, 44b, 2×4, 4×6) consolidated the innings further by adding 95-runs for the third wicket with Jason Roy.

Useful contributions came in from skipper Morgan (35) and Liam Plunkett (27 n.o). England ended up scoring a massive 386 for six in 50 overs. Mohammad Saifuddin (two for 78) and Mehidy Hassan (two for 67) were the impressive bowlers for Bangladesh.

In reply, Bangladesh facing an uphill task were restricted by England’s bowlers who struck in intervals to take control of the match. All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan (121, 119b, 12×4, 1×6) waged a lone battle and impressed with his resolute batting. Mushfiqur Rahim (44),

Mahamudullah (28) and Mosuddek Hossain (26) were the other contributors. Jofra Archer (three for 29), Ben Stokes (three for 23) and Mark Wood (two for 52) were the wicket-takers for England.

England with four points from three games are in the second spot in the points table. New Zealand with 6 points from three games are heading the points table. Jason Roy was chosen as the Player of the Match.

Brief scores

England: 386 for 6 in 50 overs (Jason Roy 153, Jonny Bairstow 51, Jos Buttler 64, Eoin Morgan 35, Liam Plunkett 27 n.o., Joe Root 21, Mohammad Saifuddin 2 for 78, Mehindy Hassan 2 for 67) bt Bangladesh: 280 in 48.5 overs (Shakib Al Hasan 121, Mushfiqur rahim 44, Mahamuddullah 28, Mosuddek Hossain 26, Jofra Archer 3 for 29, Mark wood 2 for 52, Ben Stokes 3 for 23); Player of the Match: Jason Roy.

New Zealand beat Afghanistan

James Neesham with a match-winning haul of five for 31 enabled New Zealand to register a facile seven-wicket win over Afghanistan in the ICC 2019 Cricket World Cup match played at Taunton on Saturday.

Put into bat by New Zealand, Afghanistan got to a decent start with openers Hazratullah Zazai (34) and Noor Ali Zadran (31) giving them a decent start by adding 66-runs for the opening wicket.

After the fall of both the openers, only middle-order batsman Hashmatullah Shahidi 59 (99b, 9×4) batted well.

Afghanistan kept losing wickets at regular intervals and their batsman fell to the guile’s of New Zealand bowler James Neesham (five for 31) and L.Ferguson (four for 37). Afghanistan were bowled out for 172 in 41.1 overs.

A skipper’s knock by Kane Williamson (79 n.o, 99b, 9×4) and useful knocks by Ross Taylor (48) and Colin Munro (22) enabled the Kiwis to score 173 for three in 32.1 overs and register a easy seven wicket win. Aftab Alam took three for 45 for Afghanistan. New Zealand with six points from three wins leads the points table.

James Neesham was chosen as the Player of the Match.

Brief scores

Afghanistan: 172 in 41.1 overs (Hazratullah Zazai 34, Noor Ali Zadran 31, Hashmatullah Shahidi 59, James Neesham 5 for 31, L. Ferguson 4 for 37) lost to New Zealand: 173 for 3 in 32.1 overs (Kane Williamson 79 n.o., Ross Taylor 48, Colin Munro 22, Aftab Alam 3 for 45); Player of the Match: James Neesham.