Sports
WEST INDIES LOSE FIRST ODI AGAINST ENGLAND
By David Harris
The West Indies suffered an embarrassing 238-run to England in the first One Day International (ODI) match at Edgbaston Thursday. Chasing a massive total of 401 to win the match, the West Indies were bowled out for 162 runs in 26.2 overs.
The chase was over before it began, the West Indies were stumbling at 79 for five wickets in the 15th over as England’s bowlers dismantled the West Indies batsmen; Saqib Mahmood who captured three wickets for 32 runs ripped out the top-order; pacer Jamie Overton kept the lower-order batsmen in check with three wickets for 23 runs, and leg-spinner Ail Rashid picked up two wickets.
Fast bowler Jayden Seales batting at number 11 top scored with 29 not out, captain Shai Hope 25, and Keacy Carty 22 were the other batsmen that scored over 20 runs.
Earlier, England scored 400 (their second highest score in an ODI) after the West Indies won the toss and opted to field.
England’s batters launched a collective assault on the bowler –every batter from one to seven scored over 30 runs, but it was the Barbados-born Jacob Bethell that top scored with 82; the 21-year-old faced 53 balls and struck eight fours and five sixes, opener Ben Duckett made 60, newly appointed captain Harry Brooks got 58, and veteran batter Joe Root contributed 57.
Seales captured four wickets for 84 runs from nine expensive overs, while fast bowler Alzarri Joseph and Justin Greaves took two wickets apiece.
The second ODI in the three-match series will take place at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on Sunday.
