England vs West Indies, RESULT: Joe Root hits sublime century as England cruise to eight-wicket victory
MATCH REPORT
Paul Newman at the Hampshire Bowl: It may have come at a cost but this was an emphatic way for England to take a huge step towards the World Cup semi-finals with a complete dismantling of a woeful West Indies.
First they had the pace and variations – and the unexpected bonus of Joe Root popping up at a crucial time with two wickets – to brush West Indies aside for a paltry 212.
Then, effectively two batsmen down following injuries to Jason Roy and Eoin Morgan, they only need four of their remaining nine as Root rose to the challenge of becoming England’s emergency opener by strolling to an unbeaten 100.
Make no mistake, this was a pivotal match for an England team who could not have afforded a second defeat in their first four matches and still lived up to expectations as firm World Cup favourites. Lose this and England faced a real dog-fight.
Instead they know, after this thumping eight-wicket win sealed with fully 101 balls to spare, that victories over Afghanistan and Sri Lanka next week – and let’s hope the Manchester and Leeds weather plays ball – will see them almost in the last four.
It is fortunate they are facing the two weakest teams in the tournament next, too, because the cost for England came with a worrying injury scare over Roy and a lesser one for a captain in Morgan who was in the wars in Southampton for a second time.
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