• England clinched a thrilling victory over West Indies in the second ODI.

  • Joe Root was awarded Player of the Match for his record-breaking knock.

Fans go berserk as Joe Root’s record ton powers England to a series-clinching victory against West Indies
ENG vs WI 2nd ODI (Image Source: X)

Table of Contents

England sealed a thrilling victory in the second ODI against West Indies at Cardiff, securing the 2-0 lead in the three match series. In a closely contested match, the visitors put up a strong fight in a must-win encounter, showing grit and determination throughout. West Indies impressed with disciplined bowling, especially during the powerplay, putting England under early pressure. However, Joe Root proved too dominant, guiding the hosts to a composed three-wicket win with seven balls to spare. His experience and control under pressure made the crucial difference in a tightly fought contest.

Clinical batting performance from West Indies

After a dismal batting display in the previous outing, the West Indies bounced back with an excellent performance. Despite losing an opener in just the second over, Brandon King and Keacy Carty showed resilience, stitching together a solid 141-run partnership. Carty went on to score a scintillating century, well supported by Shai Hope’s brisk 78, which propelled the Windies to a competitive total of 308. For England, leg-spinner Adil Rashid and pacer Saqib Mahmood once again impressed, claiming four and three wickets respectively to restrict the scoring in the final overs.

Joe Root delivers a masterclass to take England home

England witnessed a horrible start to their innings as both openers departed without disturbing the scorers. The home side was reduced to just 133 for 5, with half of their team back in the pavilion. However, the ever-reliable Root had other plans. The right-hander played the innings of his life, scoring 166 runs off just 139 deliveries to help his side recover. His patient and composed knock included 21 fours and 2 sixes. During this innings, Root achieved several milestones – recording the highest ODI score of his career and becoming the leading run-scorer for England in ODIs.

Meanwhile, the West Indies bowling attack showed great resilience despite the loss. Pace sensation Alzarri Joseph was impressive, taking 4 wickets for just 31 runs in his 9.5 overs. Jayden Seales also bowled a disciplined and economical spell, finishing with 1 for 56 in his 10 overs and claiming the important wicket of Jamie Smith. With the ICC ODI World Cup 2027 qualification in mind, this series provides an excellent opportunity for the West Indies to test and strengthen their side.

Also READ: Joe Root smashes Eoin Morgan’s long-standing ODI record for England to script history

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Also WATCH:  Brydon Carse removes Shai Hope with a gravity-defying catch in first ENG vs WI ODI

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About the Author:
VARUN VERMA
Varun Verma is a dedicated cricket enthusiast with a flair for storytelling and in-depth analysis. Combining a deep knowledge of the sport with a talent for engaging content creation, he brings the drama and thrill of the game to life for fans around the world. Drawing inspiration from the grit and passion of players like Ben Stokes, Varun aspires to one day experience the electrifying atmosphere of a Test match at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground. He can be reached at varun.verma@crickettimes.com and followed on LinkedIn and X.