2019 Cricket World Cup: Bowlers and Root help England rout West Indies

The hosts restrict the Caribbean line-up to 212 before crossing the finish line in the 34th over

June 14, 2019 06:38 pm | Updated 11:04 pm IST - Southampton

England's Joe Root plays a shot during the 2019 Cricket World Cup match against West Indies in Southampton on June 14, 2019.

England's Joe Root plays a shot during the 2019 Cricket World Cup match against West Indies in Southampton on June 14, 2019.

After days of incessant rain, the Hampshire Bowl witnessed a bright and sunny Friday with England registering an eight-wicket win over the West Indies.

The host, which opted to bowl, restricted the formidable West Indies batting line-up to a below-par 212, thanks to three-wicket hauls by Jofra Archer and Mark Wood.

England comfortably chased down the total in just 33.1 overs, with Joe Root slamming his second century in this edition of the tournament. The 28-year-old remained unbeaten on 100 off 94 balls to emerge as the top-scorer (279).

Moves to second

The victory helped England climb to the second spot in the table, but the day was marred by injuries to skipper Eoin Morgan and opener Jason Roy. Roy pulled a hamstring and Morgan left the field after suffering a back spasm.

With the rules suggesting that Roy could only bat at No. 7, England had to rejig its batting order, with Root joining Johnny Bairstow at the top. The new pair, however, had no difficulty in adjusting to the conditions as it accumulated 95 for the opening stand.

With the total on 95, Bairstow was caught by Carlos Brathwaite at third man off Shannon Gabriel for 45. Root then stitched a 104-run partnership with Chris Woakes (40 off 54 balls). After Gabriel removed Woakes, Root and Ben Stokes (10 not out) then took the host over the line.

Root, who had made 105 against Pakistan in Nottingham last week, played a flawless knock.

Collapse

Earlier in the day, West Indies suffered a batting collapse, losing three wickets for 55 runs. Woakes dismissed Lewis for two before Wood dropped opener Chris Gayle. The batsman, however, failed to make the most of his fortune, falling for 36.

Some sensible batting by the young Nicholas Pooran, who played a gritty knock of 63, and Shimron Hetmyer (39 off 48) helped the West Indies cross the 200-run mark.

Though the two added 89 for the fourth wicket, but the West Indies could never really break free.

Pooran was caught behind by Jos Buttler off Archer, who also sent back Brathwaite and Sheldon Cottrell. Wood, who cleared a fitness test before of the game, bowled Gabriel to end the innings in the 45th over.

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