The war of Kensington - England complete third highest run chase despite brave Windies batting

February 21, 2019

Photo

ap photos England’s Joe Root sweeps a shot against the Windies during the first one-day international cricket match at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, yesterday.

Windies’ Chris Gayle (left) celebrates after he scores a century against England during the first one-day international cricket match at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, yesterday.

Despite brave batting, which saw veteran run-getter Chris Gayle registering 135 runs off 129 balls, the Windies went down in a six-wicket defeat to England in the opening one-day international (ODI) of the five-match series at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, yesterday.

Gayle had 12 sixes and three fours on the way to his tally, before being bowled by Ben Stokes. Shai Hope was next best with 64 off 65 balls, consisting of seven fours and a six. Darren Bravo made 40 off 30 balls, consisting of two fours and four sixes, as the Windies totalled 360 for eight off their 50 overs.

Ben Stokes and Adil Rashid claimed three wickets a piece for 37 and 74 runs, respectively, for the Three Lions.

Jason Roy and Joe Root stood tall for England and made light work of the 361 needed for victory. Roy, 123 off 85 balls, stroked 15 fours and three sixes, while Root made 102 off 97 balls, with nine fours along the way. Skipper Eoin Morgan made 65 off 51 balls, consisting of four fours and three sixes as England finished on 364 for four off 48.4 overs to complete third highest ODI run chase in history.

England lead the five match series 1-0.