Jason Roy’s memorable century and Jos Buttler’s trademark power and invention just outdid an inspired Shaun Marsh to give England the edge in their Cardiff run-fest with Australia and take a 2-0 series lead.

Roy (120) marked his one-day international return to this venue – where he was dropped from England’s Champions Trophy semi-final team almost exactly a year ago – with his fifth century in his 60th match.

Buttler (91 not out) then launched an onslaught which marginally ran out of steam – but was enough to pile up 342 for eight and prevail by 38 runs as Liam Plunkett picked up four for 53 and the tourists fell short of a national-record chase despite Marsh’s wonderful 131 from 116 balls.

Three is an unlucky number

Three was the unlucky number for Australia as a sports-mad nation was sent in to mourning. Australia’s Socceroos got the day off to a bad start with a 2-1 World Cup defeat to France before the Wallabies rugby side lost their second Test against Ireland. It was a clean sweep of Australia defeats as the cricket team slid to a 38-run defeat. Strewth!

What the Buttler did

Eoin Morgan pulled out with a bad back only 30 minutes before the start of play to hand Jos Buttler the captaincy as well as the wicket-keeper’s gloves. Coming in at 179 for three, Buttler relished the extra responsibility as his savage strokeplay kept the England innings at full throttle. Buttler smashed eight fours and two sixes in his unbeaten 70-ball 91 to underline his abilities as one of the most destructive batsmen in world cricket.

Tweet of the day

Roy of the overs

England v Australia – Second Royal London One Day International – SSE SWALEC Stadium
England’s Jason Roy scored his fifth ODI century against Australia in Cardiff (Nigel French/PA)

Cardiff might not have been Roy’s favourite hunting ground as it was at Sophia Gardens – a year and two days ago to be precise – that the Surrey opener was dropped for the Champions Trophy semi-final against Pakistan. But Roy banished those painful memories with his 108-ball 120 in England’s 342 for eight. It was Roy’s fifth ODI century in 60 matches, and only Graham Gooch (eight) and Marcus Trescothick (12) have scored more when opening the batting for England.

What next?

The third game of the five-match series will be played at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, on Tuesday. The series concludes with games at Chester-le-Street and Old Trafford.