Islamabad, May 30, 2025: England vs West Indies saw a one-sided contest as England started Harry Brook’s captaincy era with a dominant 238-run victory over West Indies in the opening one-day international, driven by a intimidating total of 400 runs.
Brook, alongside Ben Duckett and Joe Root, all notched fifties, but it was Jacob Bethell who stole the spotlight, smashing 82 off just 53 balls in a blazing display of strokeplay. Will Jacks added 39, including 22 off one Matthew Forde over, England’s seventh-wicket pair added 98 from 44 balls.
England’s total of 400 for 8—after being put in to bat—marked only the sixth occasion they’ve crossed the 400-run mark in ODIs. It was also their highest ODI score in three years and their best against a Test-playing side since their 2019 World Cup triumph.
West Indies offered little resistance with the ball and were fortunate not to concede more. West Indies pacer Jayden Seales picked 4 wickets for 84 runs from 9 overs, thanks to which the total stopped from growing further. Their pursuit of the mammoth target never really got going. The contest quickly fizzled out after Saqib Mahmood and Jamie Overton both took three wickets.
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One of the most memorable moments came when Brydon Carse pulled off a breathtaking catch at deep square leg to dismiss West Indies skipper Shai Hope off Mahmood’s bowling. The visitors were bundled out for just 162 in 26.2 overs.
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Though the England vs West Indies match lacked excitement in the latter half, England will care little. After enduring a grim 18-month run in white-ball cricket, this emphatic win broke their streak of seven consecutive ODI losses. They now have the opportunity to wrap up the series with a win in Cardiff on Sunday.
Moreover, in England vs West Indies match experienced spinner Adil Rashid achieved a milestones as he became the ninth England player to play 150 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) joining the exclusive list of players featuring Eoin Morgan, Paul Collingwood, James Anderson, Jos Buttler, Joe Root, Alec Stewart, Ian Bell, and Darren Gough.
