Published: Mar 09, 2017, 10:45 PM (IST)
Edited: Mar 09, 2017, 11:21 PM (IST)
Despite having a 2-0 lead, England opted for a full-strength side for the third (and dead-rubber) ODI. West Indies asked England to bat first. A returning Alex Hales and an in-form Joe Root tore into a timid-looking West Indies attack. Despite their mammoth 192-run stand, some inspired death bowling from Alzarri Joseph and Jason Holder confided the visitors scoring-rate. It was then that Ben Stokes, the highest-paid player in IPL 2017 auctions, provided some late fireworks for his side that saw England end their innings on 328. LIVE Cricket Scorecard: West Indies vs England, 3rd ODI at Barbados
Hales and Jason Roy provided England a steady start. Roy (17) gave a simple catch at mid-off of Joseph, who was already bowling quite fast. Root came out at No. 3 to stabilise the innings. He was lucky to survive after Evin Lewis dropped him at square-leg and Ashley Nurse at gully. Things got worse for West Indies when Lewis slipped and injured his wrist when his hand slammed into the concrete near the boundary line. The pair brought up their 50-run stand in just 64 balls. This was also the ninth 50-run stand between Root and Hales since the 2015 World Cup.
Hales soon opted for the aerial root, cantering Devendra Bishoo for massive sixes en-route his seventh ODI half-century. The pair reached their 100th run in a matter of 110 balls. Not to be left behind, Root recorded his 21st ODI half-century with a boundary towards third-man. He had taken 71 deliveries. Hales survived on 92 when DRS overturned his leg-before decision after he was given out. He got to his fifth ODI ton in style, striking a top-edge for a six over the keeper’s head. He finally fell victim to Joseph trying to slog-sweep, for 110. His wicket brought an end to the 192-run stand with Root.
Eoin Morgan promoted Jos Buttler above him, at No. 4. It did not work: Buttler fell for 7 after smashing a six off the first ball he faced (though it was a free hit). Buttler went for the scoop and missed the ball completely, only to hand Jason Holder his first wicket. Morgan failed as well, departing for just 11. Amidst all this, Root calmly got to his ninth ODI hundred. He reached there in 101 balls, only to get out the next delivery. Moeen Ali fell for a golden duck to Joseph; his fourth scalp.
Stokes smacked Joseph all around the park in his final over to make a dent in his bowling figures that read 4 for 76 in 10 overs. Chris Woakes’ stay in the middle lasted 14 balls before Holder snatched his second victim. Stokes’ mini-blitz (34 off 20) came to an end the next ball, Holder taking 2 in 2. Adil Rashid added 9 before he was run out by Kraigg Brathwaite. And Liam Plunkett was run out off the last ball of the innings.
England’s innings ended on 328 with Steven Finn remaining unbeaten on 2 after Liam Plunkett got run out on the final ball of the 50th over.
Earlier, in the day, West Indies won the toss and put England in. Both sides made a change each; West Indies replaced Shannon Gabriel with Joseph, while England roped in Hales for Sam Billings.
Brief score:
England 328 all out (Alex Hales 110, Joe Root 101 ; Alzarri Joseph 4 for 76, Jason Holder 3 for 41 ) vs West Indies
