Roy ton helps England seal ODI series win over Pakistan

Cricket - Fourth One Day International - England v Pakistan - Trent Bridge, Nottingham, Britain - May 17, 2019 England's Jason Roy celebrates his century Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

NOTTINGHAM, England (Reuters) - England's Jason Roy hit a superb century and Ben Stokes carried them home as they beat Pakistan by three wickets at Trent Bridge on Friday, surviving a middle-order wobble to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series.

Babar Azam's century helped Pakistan reach a respectable 340-7 in their 50 overs, yet once again a decent total proved inadequate for the tourists as England wrapped up victory after a tense finale with three balls to spare.

Having hunted down a 359-run target with ease in Bristol in the third ODI, England steadily chipped away at Pakistan's total with Roy leading the charge, bringing up his eighth ODI century in 75 balls.

Cricket - Fourth One Day International - England v Pakistan - Trent Bridge, Nottingham, Britain - May 17, 2019 England's Jason Roy after being dismissed Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

At that point, the hosts looked set for another routine win on a ground where they had twice scored more than 400 in the last three years.

Yet when Roy departed for 114 with England on 201-2 their momentum ground to a halt as they lost three further wickets for another 15 runs with Jos Buttler and Moeen Ali departing for ducks.

All-rounder Stokes rode to the rescue, however, smacking 71 not out off 64 balls, assisted by 31 from Tom Curran, who had earlier claimed 4-75 with the ball.

Cricket - Fourth One Day International - England v Pakistan - Trent Bridge, Nottingham, Britain - May 17, 2019 England's Jofra Archer celebrates taking the wicket of Pakistan's Asif Ali Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

"Tonight will do the dressing room a lot of confidence, knowing that when we lose a few quick wickets we are still able to come through," said Stokes.

It was a changed lineup for England who were without captain Eoin Morgan after he was banned for a slow over rate in the last ODI.

Jonny Bairstow, who smashed 128 in Bristol, was also rested at the top of the order with James Vince coming in.

Cricket - Fourth One Day International - England v Pakistan - Trent Bridge, Nottingham, Britain - May 17, 2019 England's Jos Buttler after being dismissed Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Yet it was a familiar tale of woe for Pakistan who had Babar Azam's steady 115 off 112 balls to thank for leading them to a defendable total that was picked off by an England side who have not lost a run chase on home soil in this format since 2015 (18 wins, one draw).

England, who will head into the World Cup as favourites on home soil later this month, lead 3-0 heading into the fifth and final ODI in Leeds on Sunday.

Cricket - Fourth One Day International - England v Pakistan - Trent Bridge, Nottingham, Britain - May 17, 2019 England's Ben Stokes after the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

(Reporting by Toby Davis; Editing by Ken Ferris)

Cricket - Fourth One Day International - England v Pakistan - Trent Bridge, Nottingham, Britain - May 17, 2019 Pakistan celebrate dismissing England's Jos Buttler Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Cricket - Fourth One Day International - England v Pakistan - Trent Bridge, Nottingham, Britain - May 17, 2019 England players celebrate the wicket of Pakistan's Mohammad Hafeez Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Cricket - Fourth One Day International - England v Pakistan - Trent Bridge, Nottingham, Britain - May 17, 2019 England's Joe Denly in action Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Cricket - Fourth One Day International - England v Pakistan - Trent Bridge, Nottingham, Britain - May 17, 2019 Pakistan's Sarfraz Ahmed in action Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Cricket - Fourth One Day International - England v Pakistan - Trent Bridge, Nottingham, Britain - May 17, 2019 Pakistan players after the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Cricket - Fourth One Day International - England v Pakistan - Trent Bridge, Nottingham, Britain - May 17, 2019 England's Jason Roy after being dismissed with Joe Root Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Cricket - Fourth One Day International - England v Pakistan - Trent Bridge, Nottingham, Britain - May 17, 2019 England's Tom Curran celebrates taking the wicket of Pakistan's Imad Wasim Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Cricket - Fourth One Day International - England v Pakistan - Trent Bridge, Nottingham, Britain - May 17, 2019 England's Joe Denly is caught by Pakistan's Junaid Khan Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers