New Delhi: England took a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series as they crushed West Indies by 237 runs in the first one-dayer at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Thursday. The English team, led by new ODI skipper Harry Brook, registered a mighty total of 400 runs to leave the West Indies bowlers rattled and took off with new beginnings, boasting a totally refurbished side.
The hosts were invited to bat first and got a brisk start as openers Jamie Smith (37 off 24) and Ben Duckett (60 off 48) shared a 64-run partnership for the opening wicket. While Smith turned out to be the first scalp, Duckett stayed put and reached his half century, also combining with Joe Root (57 off 65) for 73 runs for the second wicket. Root too reached his fifty and made a 51-run stand with skipper Brook (58 off 45) for the third wicket.
Jos Buttler contributed with 37 (off 32), but it was the innings of Jacob Bethell (Player of the Match) at no. 6 that took the spotlight. The 21-year-old southpaw, who recently returned after his Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 duties, looked on song and struck 82 runs off 53 deliveries, laced with eight fours and five sixes. With Buttler, he made a 66-run stand for the fifth wicket, while with Will Jacks (39 off 24), he added 98 runs for the sixth.
The four half-centurions powered England to a formidable total of 400/8 in their stipulated 50 overs. For the West Indies, right-arm pacer Jayden Seales was the pick of the bowlers, taking four wickets (of Root, Brook, Buttler, and Bethell) while Alzarri Joseph and Justin Greaves bagged two apiece.
Harry Brook’s record as permanent captain:
Games played: 1️⃣
Games won: 1️⃣The perfect start ❤️ pic.twitter.com/s2wtdYMi5q
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) May 29, 2025
More to follow…
As many as four batters hit half centuries to power England to 400 as they eventually thrashed West Indies by 238 runs in the first ODI held at the Edgbaston in Birmingham on Thursday. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
