Jason Roy fell five runs short of setting a new batting record but his superb 162 still helped England win the fourth ODI against Sri Lanka and take an unassailable 2-0 series lead Wednesday. Surrey's South African-born opener took center stage on his home county ground and hammered the second highest individual one-day score by an England batsman. His fireworks lit up the gloomy, rain-filled South London skies to ensure England captured the series at The Oval. His second hundred in three ODI games, 162 runs off 118 including 13 fours and three sixes, helped England clinch a six-wicket win with overs to spare as it chased down its revised victory target of 308 with ease. And it clinched the series 2-0 with just one game left in Cardiff Saturday. It was England's second highest successful one-day run chase — and it did it in 42 overs. Sadly for Roy he fell just five runs short of overtaking the highest score by an England batsman with another Robin Smith's 167 not out against Australia at Edgbaston in 1993 still holding firm. He was bowled by Nuwan Pradeep with England in sight of the finishing line. Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler saw them home with 11 balls remaining. Earlier, Sri Lanka had produced its best batting display of the series so far with four men hitting half centuries. The tourists recovered from losing opener Kusal Perera in the second over, run out by Jonny Bairstow for just a single, to give England's attack the run around. Morgan chose to field first and he may have been regretting it for a while as Gunathilake and Kusal Mendis put on 128 for the second wicket off just 111 balls. Mendis was struck 13 boundaries in his 77 while Gunathilaka was also aggressive with seven fours in his 62. The persistent rain finally came down hard enough to force the players from the field for a two and a half hour delay with Sri Lanka on 127-1 from 18.1 overs at the time. England fought back with Adil Rashid claiming the wickets of Mendis (77) and Gunathilaka (62) but England still had to deal with the in-form Chandimal (63) and his captain Angelo Matthews (67 not out) who picked up the gauntlet.and helped Sri Lanka amass 305-5 from 42 overs. England's target was revised up by just three runs but with Roy building up a full head of steam they cruised home comfortably.
