England Vs West Indies, 1st ODI: Jacob Bethell And Bowlers Guide ENG To 238-Run Win Over WI

England produced a ruthless all-round performance to hammer West Indies by a massive 238 runs in the opening ODI at Edgbaston, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. It was England’s second-largest win in men’s ODIs by runs, just behind their 242-run demolition of Australia in 2018.

After being put in to bat, England made full use of the batting-friendly conditions and piled on a towering 400/8 in 50 overs. Four English batters notched up clinical half-centuries to set up the carnage. Opener Ben Duckett scored a fluent 60 off 48 balls, while the ever-dependable Joe Root compiled a steady 57 off 65.

Captain Harry Brook played a brisk knock of 58 from 45, before local hero Jacob Bethell exploded with a 53-ball 82 to power England past the 400-mark in the final overs.

For the visitors, Jayden Seales was the only real bright spot with the ball, picking up 4/84 despite the relentless assault. Alzarri Joseph and Justin Greaves chipped in with two wickets apiece but had little support from the rest of the attack.

Chasing a mammoth 401, West Indies crumbled under the scoreboard pressure. They lost wickets in heaps, slumping to 53/3 inside the first 10 overs and never recovering.

Saqib Mahmood was fiery up front, removing Greaves, Keacy Carty and captain Shai Hope to end with 3/32. Jamie Overton cleaned up the tail with 3/22, while spinners Bethell and Rashid struck crucial blows in the middle overs.

Only Seales (29* off 14) provided a late spark with the bat, helping West Indies crawl to 162 before being bowled out in 26.2 overs. England’s dominant display with both bat and ball ensured a commanding win and a confidence boost ahead of the second ODI in Cardiff.