CARDIFF, WALES — Joe Root reminded the cricketing world of his brilliance with a elegant, unbeaten 166 to information England to an exciting three-wicket victory over the West Indies on Sunday, sealing the One-Day Worldwide (ODI) sequence with a recreation to spare.
Root’s majestic knock — his 18th ODI century — overshadowed a valiant 103 from Keacy Carty, whose current purple patch continued with a 3rd hundred in 4 matches. However whereas Carty lit up the primary half, it was Root who scripted the ultimate act, anchoring England’s chase of 309 with scientific precision and steely resolve.
Carty’s craft and King’s comeback set the tone
Despatched in to bat, the West Indies recovered swiftly after dropping debutant Jewel Andrew for a duck. Carty and opener Brandon King stitched collectively a 141-run partnership for the second wicket, capitalizing on early reprieves — Carty dropped at slip on 1, King on 11 — to put a powerful basis.
Carty, specifically, was fluid and assertive, racing to his half-century in 59 balls with a classy pull off Adil Rashid. King, shaking off current poor type, reached his fifty in 56 balls, guiding Rashid to cowl for a single.
Their stand pushed the Windies to 147 for 1, however King’s departure for 59 — a mistimed loft off Rashid to long-off — opened the door. Captain Shai Hope joined Carty, and collectively they saved the momentum alive, pushing the rating previous 200.
Carty reached his fourth ODI ton in type, guiding Jacob Bethell previous backward level for 4. It was one other milestone in a blossoming profession — however it could be his remaining flourish. He was stumped for 103 simply three balls later, misjudging a supply from Will Jacks.
From a powerful place at 205 for 3 within the thirty sixth over, the guests suffered a slide — dropping 5 wickets for 63 runs. Hope’s measured 78 off 66 balls added stability, nudging the whole previous 300 earlier than he fell as the ultimate wicket with 14 balls left unused.
Adil Rashid led England’s fightback with the ball, claiming 4 for 63, whereas Saqib Mahmood chipped in with 3 for 37.
A rocky begin turns right into a Root-led revival
England’s chase started in catastrophe. Jamie Smith and Ben Duckett each perished for geese inside the first 9 deliveries, leaving the hosts teetering at 2 for two.
Enter Joe Root. Composed, cautious, and decided, he weathered the early storm alongside captain Harry Brook. Root survived a close to run-out early on, and each batters benefited from missed possibilities — a slender lbw name on Root at 7 and a dropped catch by Hope off Brook moments later.
The pair added 46 steadying runs earlier than Alzarri Joseph eliminated Brook for 47. England wobbled once more when Jos Buttler fell for a duck and Bethell was trapped lbw for 17 — the West Indies firmly in management at 133 for five.
However Root discovered a great accomplice in Will Jacks. Collectively, they solid a shocking 143-run partnership that swung the momentum again in England’s favor. Root introduced up his century in emphatic type — a six and a 4 off Gudakesh Motie to open the thirty sixth over — and adopted it with a trio of boundaries off Roston Chase.
By the point Joseph returned to dismiss Jacks for 49, England wanted simply 33 runs off 36 deliveries. Root — unwavering and untouchable — sealed the win in becoming vogue, caressing a Jaydon Seales supply to the boundary to finish on 166 not out from 139 balls, embellished with 21 fours and two sixes.
Joseph stood tall amongst West Indies bowlers with 4 for 31, but it surely was Root’s day. His scientific knock not solely ensured a memorable chase however delivered the sequence to England with one recreation left to play.
A story of two centurions
In a match brimming with particular person brilliance, the scoreboard instructed two completely different tales. Keacy Carty, constructing a status because the Windies’ most constant middle-order performer, showcased aptitude and composure. But the sport belonged to Root — a veteran reminding everybody of his class and capability for anchoring an innings below strain.
As England celebrated a sequence win, the West Indies had been left to rue missed alternatives — dropped catches, squandered evaluations, and a middle-order collapse that value them dearly.
