England vs West Indies 2025: In an electrifying display of white-ball dominance, England bludgeoned their way to a formidable 400/8 in 50 overs during the ongoing ODI against the West Indies. This innings was powered by a series of impactful knocks, with Jacob Bethell’s rapid-fire 82 off 53 balls, Ben Duckett’s composed 60, and Harry Brook’s captain’s knock of 58 setting the tone for a batting blitz that left the Caribbean bowlers gasping.
This is one of England’s highest totals in ODI cricket and yet another example of their aggressive approach that has become synonymous with modern-day English white-ball cricket.
Power-Packed Start Sets the Tempo
The innings kicked off with Jamie Smith and Ben Duckett giving England a flying start. Smith, who scored 37 off 24 deliveries with seven boundaries, ensured the powerplay was maximized. His departure at 64 in the seventh over brought in Joe Root, who stitched together a crucial 51-run partnership with Duckett.
Duckett was fluent and classy as ever, bringing up his half-century in just 43 balls before falling for a well-compiled 60 off 48 balls. His innings featured six boundaries and a six, playing the perfect foil to Root’s anchor role.
Middle Order Holds Firm, Brook Leads from the Front
Joe Root contributed a steady 57 off 65 balls, but it was Harry Brook, captaining the side, who reignited the scoring rate in the middle overs. Brook smashed 58 off 45 balls, peppering the boundary with five fours and three sixes, maintaining a blistering strike rate of 128.89.
The momentum further surged with Jos Buttler (37 off 32) and then Will Jacks (39 off 24) adding quick runs, keeping the run rate well above 8.0 throughout the innings.
Jacob Bethell’s Carnage Seals England’s Domination
The biggest highlight came from Jacob Bethell, whose belligerent 82 came in just 53 deliveries. He dismantled the West Indian attack with eight fours and five towering sixes, dominating both pace and spin with fearless strokeplay. His 44-ball partnership of 98 runs with Will Jacks changed the complexion of the innings and took England beyond the 350-run mark with ease.
Even in the death overs, Bethell continued his assault, adding 52 off just 20 deliveries with Jamie Overton and Brydon Carse. His fearless approach ensured England touched the 400 mark — a psychological milestone in ODI cricket.
West Indies Bowlers Struggle Under Pressure
The West Indies bowlers had little to celebrate on a batter-friendly surface. The standout was Jayden Seales, who returned with figures of 4/84 in 9 overs, despite being expensive. He removed key batters like Root, Brook, Buttler, and Bethell — halting England’s rhythm at crucial junctures.
Justin Greaves chipped in with 2/68, while Alzarri Joseph took 2/69, but the rest of the bowling attack struggled to contain the run flow. Matthew Forde conceded 88 in his 8 overs, and frontline spinner Gudakesh Motie remained wicketless in his 7-over spell, leaking 39 runs.
Fall of Wickets – A Minor Hiccup Amid Dominance
Despite losing wickets at intervals, England never lost momentum. The fall of Jamie Smith at 64 was followed by steady partnerships between the middle-order batters. The collapse began late, starting from the 47th over when Will Jacks departed at 385. Three wickets fell quickly, but not before the damage had been done.
Powerplay and Partnerships – England’s Blueprint for Success
England stormed through the powerplay with 90 runs in the first 10 overs, laying a strong foundation. Partnerships were key to their total:
- Smith & Duckett – 64 (42)
- Duckett & Root – 73 (74)
- Brook & Buttler – 66 (56)
- Bethell & Jacks – 98 (44)
These stands highlight the depth and flexibility in England’s batting, with each player complementing the other and maintaining a constant flow of runs.
With a mountainous 400 on the board, England will now look to defend the total and put pressure on the West Indian batting line-up. With the likes of Adil Rashid and Saqib Mahmood waiting in the bowling ranks, it will be a daunting chase for the hosts.
Can West Indies pull off a miracle, or will England’s monstrous first-innings effort prove insurmountable?
