CARDIFF, WALES — Joe Root reminded the cricketing world of his brilliance with a sublime, unbeaten 166 to guide England to a thrilling three-wicket victory over the West Indies on Sunday, sealing the One-Day International (ODI) series with a game to spare.
Root’s majestic knock — his 18th ODI century — overshadowed a valiant 103 from Keacy Carty, whose recent purple patch continued with a third hundred in four matches. But while Carty lit up the first half, it was Root who scripted the final act, anchoring England’s chase of 309 with clinical precision and steely resolve.
Carty’s craft and King’s comeback set the tone
Sent in to bat, the West Indies recovered swiftly after losing debutant Jewel Andrew for a duck. Carty and opener Brandon King stitched together a 141-run partnership for the second wicket, capitalizing on early reprieves — Carty dropped at slip on 1, King on 11 — to lay a strong foundation.
Carty, in particular, was fluid and assertive, racing to his half-century in 59 balls with a stylish pull off Adil Rashid. King, shaking off recent poor form, reached his fifty in 56 balls, guiding Rashid to cover for a single.
Their stand pushed the Windies to 147 for 1, but King’s departure for 59 — a mistimed loft off Rashid to long-off — opened the door. Captain Shai Hope joined Carty, and together they kept the momentum alive, pushing the score past 200.
Carty reached his fourth ODI ton in style, guiding Jacob Bethell past backward point for four. It was another milestone in a blossoming career — but it would be his final flourish. He was stumped for 103 just three balls later, misjudging a delivery from Will Jacks.
From a strong position at 205 for 3 in the 36th over, the visitors suffered a slide — losing five wickets for 63 runs. Hope’s measured 78 off 66 balls added stability, nudging the total past 300 before he fell as the final wicket with 14 balls left unused.
Adil Rashid led England’s fightback with the ball, claiming 4 for 63, while Saqib Mahmood chipped in with 3 for 37.
A rocky start turns into a Root-led revival
England’s chase began in disaster. Jamie Smith and Ben Duckett both perished for ducks within the first nine deliveries, leaving the hosts teetering at 2 for 2.
Enter Joe Root. Composed, cautious, and determined, he weathered the early storm alongside captain Harry Brook. Root survived a near run-out early on, and both batters benefited from missed chances — a narrow lbw call on Root at 7 and a dropped catch by Hope off Brook moments later.
The pair added 46 steadying runs before Alzarri Joseph removed Brook for 47. England wobbled again when Jos Buttler fell for a duck and Bethell was trapped lbw for 17 — the West Indies firmly in control at 133 for 5.
But Root found an ideal partner in Will Jacks. Together, they forged a stunning 143-run partnership that swung the momentum back in England’s favor. Root brought up his century in emphatic style — a six and a four off Gudakesh Motie to open the 36th over — and followed it with a trio of boundaries off Roston Chase.
By the time Joseph returned to dismiss Jacks for 49, England needed just 33 runs off 36 deliveries. Root — unwavering and untouchable — sealed the win in fitting fashion, caressing a Jaydon Seales delivery to the boundary to end on 166 not out from 139 balls, decorated with 21 fours and two sixes.
Joseph stood tall among West Indies bowlers with 4 for 31, but it was Root’s day. His clinical knock not only ensured a memorable chase but delivered the series to England with one game left to play.
A tale of two centurions
In a match brimming with individual brilliance, the scoreboard told two different stories. Keacy Carty, building a reputation as the Windies’ most consistent middle-order performer, showcased flair and composure. Yet the game belonged to Root — a veteran reminding everyone of his class and capacity for anchoring an innings under pressure.
As England celebrated a series win, the West Indies were left to rue missed opportunities — dropped catches, squandered reviews, and a middle-order collapse that cost them dearly.
