England crush Windies on ODI series opener
BIRMINGHAM, England (CMC) — England delivered a dominant performance to thrash the West Indies by 238 runs in the opening One-Day International (ODI) here at Edgbaston on Thursday.
The comprehensive victory snapped a seven-match losing streak in the format and handed new Captain Harry Brook a dream start to his full-time leadership tenure.
Sent in to bat, England posted a mammoth 400-8, their highest-ever ODI total at home against the West Indies, thanks to explosive half-centuries from Jacob Bethell, who scored 82 off 53 balls, Ben Duckett 60, Joe Root 57, and Brook 58.
The visitors’ bowling attack struggled throughout, as the seamers found it hard to hit a length, and the spinners could not slow down the free-scoring English batters.
Only Jayden Seales, with a workmanlike 4-84, managed notable success amid the onslaught.
The West Indies’ chase never gained momentum, collapsing to 162 all out in just 32.5 overs.
Only Keacy Carty, 22, and Captain Shai Hope, 25, offered brief resistance before a late, entertaining 29 not out from Seales spared further embarrassment.
England’s seamers Saqib Mahmood’s 3-28 and Jamie Overton’s 3-41 wreaked havoc, while Brook took five catches in a commanding fielding display.
The victory marked England’s second-largest win by runs in ODIs, just behind their 242-run demolition of Australia in 2018. Bethell, the 21-year-old all-rounder, was named Player of the Match for his blistering knock and a crucial 44-ball, 98-run, seventh-wicket stand with Will Jacks, who made 39.
England’s innings set the tone early, with Duckett and Jamie Smith (37) racing to 59 in the first six overs.
Despite two spectacular catches from Brandon King, dismissing Smith, and Roston Chase removing Duckett, England’s middle order piled on the runs.
Bethell’s brutal hitting, including eight fours and five sixes, stole the show before he fell short of a maiden century.
The West Indies’ reply faltered immediately, losing openers Justin Greaves for four and King 10 inside four overs.
Mahmood and Overton dismantled the middle order as the regional side found themselves at one stage in a spot of bother at 66 for four in the 12th over.
The Barbadian-born Bethell also chipped in with the ball, sending back Jewel Andrew for eight to cap off a fine performance. Seales’ late fireworks were mere consolation as England sealed a crushing win to go 1-0 up in the three-match series.
The second ODI takes place at Trent Bridge on Sunday.
