Root’s century wins England ODI series

Valiant West Indies lose by 25 runs in Antigua.

England won the One Day International series 2-1 against West Indies as Joe Root scored a century to propel the tourists to an imposing first innings score of 303.

The hosts fought hard through a maiden century by wicket-keeper batsman Denesh Ramdin but fell short by 25 runs in the deciding third and final match on Wednesday.

Ramdin’s 128, the first ODI hundred by a West Indies wicketkeeper, lifted the home side from 43 for four in pursuit of the daunting target to the eventual score of 278; he was bowled by fast bowler Tim Bresnan who produced a perfect yorker at a crucial moment in the 48th over of the match.

Earlier, Joe Root battled through the considerable pain of a sore right thumb – the result of a blow inflicted by fast-medium bowler Ravi Rampaul at the start of his innings – to stroke his first hundred in this form of the game while Jos Buttler fell one run short of his own first ODI century to take England to 303 for six. Root, who was named man of the match, and Buttler put on 175 for the fifth wicket.

“It was good to watch what our boys did with the bat over the final ten overs, given what happened to us in the first match,” said England skipper Stuart Broad. West Indies captain Dwayne Bravo finished with three wickets, including two off consecutive deliveries but Moeen Ali’s 55 at the top of the order was necessary to avoid a complete collapse before Root and Buttler took over.

“England batted well and this was a much better wicket,” said a rueful Bravo.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 7^th, 2014.

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