England thrash West Indies to win ODI series 4-0
30 Sep 2017 2:04 PM GMT
Southampton (UK): Jonny Bairstow hit an unbeaten century to lead England to a thumping nine-wicket victory over the West Indies in Southampton, in a low-key fifth and final one-day international overshadowed by the Ben Stokes scandal.
Bairstow struck 141 not out as the hosts sealed the win with 12 overs to spare to complete a 4-0 series victory.
The tourists, seeking to end a long sequence of defeats against England, posted 288 for six despite becoming bogged down after a thrilling Chris Gayle cameo, but it never looked enough under the floodlights in the day-night encounter.
Openers Jason Roy and Bairstow started the home side's reply confidently, with Roy reaching his second consecutive half-century in the evening sunshine after his recall for the fourth match of the series, off 43 balls.
Bairstow brought up his own 50 as the England openers kept the scoreboard constantly ticking over, untroubled by either pace or spin until Roy (96 in 70 balls) was trapped lbw by Miguel Cummins.
But his dismissal did little to upset England's rhythm.
Joe Root batted smoothly while Bairstow steered a ball down to third man for a single to notch his second century of the series off 90 balls with 10 fours.
The home side cantered past the winning post as Root finished alongside Bairstow on 46 not out, scoring the winning runs with a six.
"I'm pretty pleased — it's nice to finish a pretty long summer with some runs and head away this winter with some confidence," said Bairstow.
"The nature of sport means you have to bide your time if selection doesn't go your way and when you get an opportunity, try to take it."
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