Third one-day international, Kia Oval
West Indies 251-9 (40 overs): Rutherford 70, Motie 63; Rashid 3-40
England 246-3 (29.4 overs): Smith 64, Duckett 58
England won by seven wickets; win series 3-0
England romped to a 3-0 series clean sweep over West Indies with a seven-wicket victory in the third one-day international at The Oval.
Chasing 246 in 40 overs after rain, Jamie Smith crashed 64 from just 28 balls – his first ODI half-century – as England reached 100 after just eight overs.
That was the joint-fourth quickest any men’s side has reached three figures in the format and they were able to complete their chase with 10.2 overs to spare with Ben Duckett hitting 58 and Joe Root 44.
Smith’s assault quickly eradicated fears England would be punished for letting a good position slip in allowing West Indies to post 251-9 in their rain-interrupted 40 overs.
In an innings split in two by a 90-minute rain delay, Gudakesh Motie’s 63 at number eight rescued an innings that was floundering at 154-7 despite Sherfane Rutherford’s 70.
But Adil Rashid took 3-40 and, despite the bowling lacking accuracy throughout, England secured their first ODI series win since before their white-ball downturn began at the 2023 World Cup.
New captain Harry Brook will look to continue his perfect start in charge in the three-match T20 series which starts in Chester-le-Street on Friday. – bbc.com