England wrap up 3-0 ODI series win over Netherlands as Roy hits unbeaten century
England raced to an eight-wicket ODI win over the Netherlands with almost 20 overs to spare on Wednesday, rounding off a 3-0 series triumph in style as Jason Roy hit an unbeaten century.
Having followed up last week's world-record ODI total of 498 with a six-wicket victory last time out, England had the opportunity to seal a series whitewash, which they seized in ruthless fashion as Roy (101 not out) and Jos Buttler (86no) starred.
England originally looked set to endure a more challenging third ODI when the Netherlands reached 203-3, but a spectacular collapse with the bat – in which David Willey (4-36) was influential – set the stage for another comfortable chase from the tourists.
Having been put in to bat by stand-in England skipper Buttler, leading the side with Eoin Morgan injured, the Netherlands recovered from Willey's fifth-over dismissal of Vikramjit Singh (6) to build a solid platform.
Tom Cooper was the next to fall for 33 and the hosts' trio of Max O'Dowd (50), Bas de Leede (56) and captain Scott Edwards (64) all went well before a total collapse saw them squander an opportunity to set an imposing target.
Liam Livingstone (1-40), Brydon Carse (2-49) and David Payne (1-38) accounted for the aforementioned trio, with Willey finishing with four wickets after dismissing Logan van Beek (0), Aryan Dutt (0) and Paul van Meekeren (2) late on as the hosts were bowled out for just 244.
The Netherlands struggled to make early inroads in the field as England reached 85 without loss, though Van Meekeren's (2-59) patience was rewarded when he followed up the removal of Phil Salt (49) by sending David Malan packing for a duck within two balls.
But that proved to be the only blip of a dominant batting display, with the imperious duo of Roy and Buttler finishing unbeaten, and the captain completing a comfortable outing in fitting fashion with a six at the start of the 31st over.
Roy brings up double figures
Roy's 101 from 86 balls allowed England to race to victory in just over 30.1 overs, and represented the 10th ODI century of his England career. He is just the third opening batsman to reach that tally for the side, after Marcus Trescothick and Jonny Bairstow.
Willey takes four as England ease to victory
Having gone 2-42 and 2-46 in England's first two wins over the Netherlands, Willey stepped it up another notch with a superb four-wicket haul, skittling the hosts as their early momentum dissipated ahead of a comfortable England chase.
Dutch opener Vikramjit will be particularly glad to see the back of Willey, who has sent him packing in each of the series' three contests.