<p>Top-order batsman Joe Root's strokeful 121 helped England post a respectable 309 for six against Sri Lanka in a pool A ODI match of the cricket World Cup, here today.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Electing to bat at the Westpac Stadium, England were in a bit of trouble at 161 for four before a 98-run partnership between Root, whose 108-ball stay was laced with 14 fours and 2 sixes, and James Taylor put the innings back on course to a big total.<br /><br />The defiant stand, which is a record 5th wicket partnership for England in World Cup matches, came in just 11 overs as the Sri Lankan bowlers had little answer to brisk run-scoring.<br /><br />In the end though it was an unbeaten 19-ball 39 from Jos Buttler that really pushed the England total beyond the 300 plus mark.<br /><br />The Eoin Morgan-led side though started off well with Moeen Ali (15) and Ian Bell (49) sticking it out in the first 9 overs.<br /><br />Fielding was a big let down by the islanders, as Bell was dropped in the fourth over twice and later Root was also given a life when he was in single digits.<br /><br />Sri Lanka captain and medium-pacer Angelo Mathews (1-43) drew first flood after picking up Ali and off-spinner Tilakaratne Dilshan (1-29) soon scalped Gary Ballance (6) with a caught and bowled effort.<br /><br />Bell hung around for a while only to see new-ball bowler Suranga Lakmal (1-71) deny the opener his fifty. Morgan (49) also stuck around for sometime but Thisara Perera (1-55) got his prized wicket an over before the start of the powerplays in the 35th over.<br /><br />After that it was a Root-Taylor show as the duo combined the right dose of caution and aggression to not only see England out of trouble but also took the attack to the opposition.<br /><br />Root, who struck his 4th ODI ton in 52 matches, was severe on Perera in the 45th over as he smashed a six and three fours after Taylor's opening six to fetch 25 runs from six balls.<br /><br />Taylor got out to Lasith Malinga (1-63) after his 26-ball cameo and Root was trapped LBW off left-arm spinner Rangana Herath (1-35) but only after the duo had done sufficient damage.<br /><br />The final five overs gave England 52 runs and the last over 22 as Buttler smashed 6 fours and a six to finish off with a flourish.</p>
<p>Top-order batsman Joe Root's strokeful 121 helped England post a respectable 309 for six against Sri Lanka in a pool A ODI match of the cricket World Cup, here today.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Electing to bat at the Westpac Stadium, England were in a bit of trouble at 161 for four before a 98-run partnership between Root, whose 108-ball stay was laced with 14 fours and 2 sixes, and James Taylor put the innings back on course to a big total.<br /><br />The defiant stand, which is a record 5th wicket partnership for England in World Cup matches, came in just 11 overs as the Sri Lankan bowlers had little answer to brisk run-scoring.<br /><br />In the end though it was an unbeaten 19-ball 39 from Jos Buttler that really pushed the England total beyond the 300 plus mark.<br /><br />The Eoin Morgan-led side though started off well with Moeen Ali (15) and Ian Bell (49) sticking it out in the first 9 overs.<br /><br />Fielding was a big let down by the islanders, as Bell was dropped in the fourth over twice and later Root was also given a life when he was in single digits.<br /><br />Sri Lanka captain and medium-pacer Angelo Mathews (1-43) drew first flood after picking up Ali and off-spinner Tilakaratne Dilshan (1-29) soon scalped Gary Ballance (6) with a caught and bowled effort.<br /><br />Bell hung around for a while only to see new-ball bowler Suranga Lakmal (1-71) deny the opener his fifty. Morgan (49) also stuck around for sometime but Thisara Perera (1-55) got his prized wicket an over before the start of the powerplays in the 35th over.<br /><br />After that it was a Root-Taylor show as the duo combined the right dose of caution and aggression to not only see England out of trouble but also took the attack to the opposition.<br /><br />Root, who struck his 4th ODI ton in 52 matches, was severe on Perera in the 45th over as he smashed a six and three fours after Taylor's opening six to fetch 25 runs from six balls.<br /><br />Taylor got out to Lasith Malinga (1-63) after his 26-ball cameo and Root was trapped LBW off left-arm spinner Rangana Herath (1-35) but only after the duo had done sufficient damage.<br /><br />The final five overs gave England 52 runs and the last over 22 as Buttler smashed 6 fours and a six to finish off with a flourish.</p>