BIRMINGHAM, England — England stormed to a statement-making 238-run demolition of the West Indies within the opening One-Day Worldwide (ODI) at Edgbaston on Thursday, delivering a crushing efficiency that snapped their seven-match shedding streak within the format and introduced the start of the Harry Brook period with unmistakable authority.
Opting to bat first on a placid floor, the hosts amassed a towering 400 for 8—their highest-ever ODI whole at house towards the Caribbean aspect—behind an electrifying 82 from 21-year-old Jacob Bethell and strong half-centuries from Ben Duckett (60), Joe Root (57), and captain Brook himself (58).
Bethell’s brilliance ignites England’s cost
Bethell was the undisputed star of England’s batting masterclass, smashing eight fours and 5 sixes in a 53-ball blitz that left the West Indies assault in tatters. His blistering 98-run stand in simply 44 deliveries with Will Jacks (39) for the seventh wicket drove England to the 400-run mark and secured him the Participant of the Match award.
“This was a dream day for me,” stated Bethell. “I simply wished to again myself and play freely. To contribute like that in entrance of a house crowd is one thing I’ll always remember.”
Jamie Smith (37) and Duckett had already laid the inspiration, galloping to 59 runs within the first six overs. Regardless of two sensible catches by Brandon King—one diving effort to take away Smith and one other to dismiss Duckett—England’s center order picked up the mantle and by no means regarded again.
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West Indies’ bowlers blunted by relentless assault
The West Indies bowling unit was merely overwhelmed. Seamers didn’t discover a constant size, and the spinners supplied little respite. Jayden Seales emerged because the lone vivid spot, toiling by 10 costly overs for 4 wickets at the price of 84 runs. Justin Greaves (2-68) and Alzarri Joseph (2-69) supplied moments of resistance however couldn’t stem the English flood.
Batting collapse seals Windies’ destiny
In response, the West Indies faltered from the outset. Openers Justin Greaves (4) and Brandon King (10) have been again within the pavilion inside 4 overs. England’s new-ball pairing of Saqib Mahmood (3-28) and Jamie Overton (3-41) sliced by the highest and center order, lowering the guests to a precarious 66 for 4 by the twelfth over.
Captain Shai Hope (25) and Keacy Carty (22) mounted transient resistance, however neither may stabilize the innings. Jewel Andrew (8) was eliminated by Bethell, who capped off his all-around efficiency with the ball.
Solely a defiant unbeaten 29 from Seales supplied a glimmer of satisfaction, pushing the ultimate whole to 162 in 32.5 overs and sparing the crew even deeper embarrassment.
Brook’s captaincy begins with command
Harry Brook’s debut as full-time ODI captain may hardly have gone higher. Along with his composed half-century, he held 5 catches within the area, orchestrating a scientific and aggressive England show.
“We wished to play with intent and readability, and that’s precisely what we did,” Brook stated. “The lads delivered in all three departments, and that is simply the beginning.”
The margin of victory ranks as England’s second-largest in ODI historical past by runs, trailing solely their 242-run mauling of Australia in 2018. The emphatic win additionally provides England a 1–0 lead within the three-match collection, which resumes Sunday at Trent Bridge.
