Root's 166* Powers England to Series-Clinching Win Over West Indies in Cardiff ODI. England vs West Indies, 2nd ODI at Cardiff, June 01, 2025 - Match Report.England 312 for 7 (Root 166, Jacks 49, Brook 47, Joseph 4-31) beat West Indies 308 (Carty 103, Hope 78, King 59, Rashid 4-63, Mahmood 3-37) by three wickets* Joe Root’s unbeaten 166, a career-best in ODIs, powered England to a thrilling three-wicket victory over West Indies in a high-scoring chase of 309 at Cardiff, securing the series with a game to spare.
Despite a spirited performance from West Indies, led by Keacy Carty’s resolute 103 and Shai Hope’s anchoring 78, England overcame early setbacks and fielding lapses to clinch the match, thanks to Root’s masterclass and vital contributions from Will Jacks (49) and Harry Brook (47).
West Indies Innings: Carty’s Century Sets a Formidable Target Inserted by England, West Indies posted a competitive 308 all out in 47.4 overs, driven by Carty’s fourth ODI hundred, Hope’s 78, and Brandon King’s brisk 59. The innings got off to a shaky start with 18-year-old Jewel Andrew, opening in place of the injured Evin Lewis, falling for a five-ball duck to Brydon Carse. Andrew, surprised by extra bounce, fended a rising delivery to Will Jacks at point. 
Carty and King steadied the ship with a 141-run second-wicket stand, though England’s sloppy fielding kept West Indies in the game. Ben Duckett dropped King twice at second slip—on 10 and 11—off Carse, and later failed to effect a run-out when both batters were stranded mid-pitch. Carty, too, survived a dropped catch by Saqib Mahmood on 41 and a potential run-out on 57 due to a wayward throw. King fell for 59, caught by Carse at long-on off Adil Rashid, but Carty marched on, reaching his century with a late dab for his 13th four off his 102nd ball. However, he was stumped off Jacks three balls later, ending his 103-run knock. Hope, anchoring the lower order, shared a 58-run stand with Carty before accelerating. West Indies’ tail struggled, losing their last eight wickets for 103 runs, with Rashid (4-63) and Mahmood (3-37) cleaning up. Hope’s 78 ended when he toed a catch to Brook, leaving 14 deliveries unused.
England’s Chase: Root’s Brilliance Overcomes Early Collapse Chasing 309, England’s innings imploded early, slipping to 2 for 2 in just nine deliveries. Jamie Smith nicked Jayden Seales behind for a duck, and Duckett, enduring a torrid day, edged Matthew Forde to deep third for a three-ball nought. The situation worsened as England slumped to 93 for 4, with Jos Buttler (4) bowled by Alzarri Joseph’s extra bounce. 
Root, however, remained unfazed. His innings began cautiously, surviving two run-out chances—Roston Chase missing from backward point in the second over and King failing to hit the stumps in the 11th. A tight lbw shout from Forde in the sixth over was overturned on review, clipping the bails. Root found an able ally in Will Jacks, and their 143-run fifth-wicket stand off 122 balls turned the tide. Jacks, playing a supporting role to Root’s dominance, scored 49 off 58, with the pair plundering 70 runs off the last 45 balls of their partnership. Root’s acceleration was breathtaking. From 77 off 82 balls with 135 needed off 18.2 overs, he reached his hundred in 98 balls, smashing a six over midwicket and a swept four off Gudakesh Motie. He then blazed 43 runs off his next 24 balls, including a ramp, scoop, and charged boundaries off Chase. Jacks fell lbw to Joseph (4-31), but Root pressed on, carving a gorgeous cover drive off Forde to pass 150 for the first time in ODIs. His 23rd boundary, an immaculate straight drive, sealed the chase with seven balls to spare. 
Brook’s aggressive 47 off 26 balls, including three consecutive boundaries off Forde, provided crucial momentum before he was caught at backward square off Joseph. Jacob Bethell chipped in with a steady 18, but it was Root’s 166*—his 18th ODI ton and one that saw him surpass Eoin Morgan’s 6,957 runs to become England’s leading ODI run-scorer—that defined the chase.
Key Moments and Turning Points
· West Indies’ Fielding Lifelines: Duckett’s dropped catches and missed run-out allowed Carty and King to build a foundation. Mahmood’s drop of Carty on 41 was equally costly.
· England’s Early Collapse: Losing Smith and Duckett for ducks inside nine balls set a dire tone, with Buttler’s dismissal deepening the crisis at 93 for 4.
· Root’s Resilience: Surviving two run-outs and an lbw scare, Root’s composure and eventual acceleration were pivotal in navigating England out of trouble.
· Jacks’ Support: His 49 complemented Root perfectly, allowing England to maintain momentum during the middle overs.
· Rashid’s Spin: Adil Rashid’s 4-63, including King’s wicket and two in his final over, kept West Indies from posting a potentially match-winning total.
Player Performances
· Joe Root (166 off 136 balls)*: A career-defining knock, blending patience with explosive finishing, surpassing Morgan’s record and sealing the series.
· Keacy Carty (103 off 105 balls): A mature, anchoring century that held West Indies’ innings together despite early wobbles.
· Shai Hope (78 off 73 balls): A vital knock that ensured West Indies crossed 300, though his dismissal triggered a late collapse.
· Alzarri Joseph (4-31): Menacing with pace and bounce, he rattled England’s top order but couldn’t stop Root’s onslaught.
· Adil Rashid (4-63): Spun a web around West Indies’ middle order, ensuring their total remained chaseable.
Team Changes and Context England replaced Matthew Potts with Jamie Overton, who was sidelined by a broken finger, while West Indies swapped Amir Jangoo for the experienced Shimron Hetmyer. The absence of Evin Lewis forced West Indies to experiment with Jewel Andrew as an opener, a move that backfired. This victory followed England’s 238-run thrashing of West Indies in the first ODI at Edgbaston, highlighting their dominance despite a sloppy fielding display in Cardiff. For West Indies, Carty’s century and Joseph’s fiery spell showed fight, but Root’s brilliance proved the difference. Joe Root’s 166* was a reminder of his enduring class in ODI cricket, rescuing England from a precarious position and overshadowing a valiant West Indies effort. While Carty and Hope laid a strong foundation, England’s fielding errors and West Indies’ inability to capitalize on their early breakthroughs allowed Root to script a memorable chase. With the series secured, England head to the third ODI with momentum, while West Indies will rue missed opportunities but take heart from their improved showing.
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