England are in control here at Edgbaston after contributions from all of the top order saw them reach 400-8 at the innings break.
Fresh off the plane from the IPL, Jacob Bethell starred for the hosts, combining a stylish defense with a fantastic display of hitting in the latter overs to finish with 82 off 53 deliveries. Having been the topic of much discussion over the past few weeks, the Bajan-born allrounder expertly continued his rapid induction into international cricket, clearing the boundary 5 times, with a further 8 fours.
West Indies captain Shai Hope won the toss and opted to put the hosts into bat this morning, in an effort to “make the most of the conditions on offer”. Whilst certainly overcast, it was clear that it would be no easy task for the away skipper’s largely unblooded bowling attack to find a rhythm amidst the bellowing gale that has been ever-present today – and will no doubt challenge the English attack after the break.
Any inckling of rhythm was certainly not found for the visitors early on, as England motored to 90-1 after 10 overs. Jamie Smith fell first, opening the batting for the first time in his List A career. The Surrey man survived a couple of LBW decisions and a dropped chance early on, but quickly grew into his role. Back-to-back boundaries of opposing fashions to end the second over offered a brief view into the danger that he can offer, crashing Jayden Seales through the cover region for the first, following it up with a gentle flick of his pads through mid-wicket for the second.
Having been forced to make an early bowling change, with 50 being brought up inside of 6 overs, Hope was rewarded by the experienced Alzarri Joseph, ending the Smith-party by dragging the final delivery of his first over a touch shorter than the previous 5 balls, prompting Smith to pull straight to Brandon King, who took a smart catch at midwicket.
Ben Duckett continued his cross-format form, effortlessly reaching 60 before falling victim to a stunning catch courtesy of the recently appointed Windies Test captain Roston Chase, diving to his right at backward point, much to the delight of his teammates and the travelling fans.
The home side masterfully capitalized on the platform set by the two openers, punishing a West Indies bowling effort that lacked any apparent control, and capitalizing on some extremely sloppy ground-fielding. Both Yorkshiremen unsurprisingly passed 50 – Joe Root quietly ‘knocking it around’, whilst Harry Brook smashed 3 maximums at the other end, in his first match as permanent white-ball captain.
Looking right at home 🏠
His 3rd ODI fifty 🏏
Jacob Bethell | @IGcom pic.twitter.com/M4H2g2mvnS
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) May 29, 2025
Jos Butler looked reinvigorated in his new role at number 5, falling for 37 off 32 balls in the 40th over – the English total on 287.
The final 9 overs of the innings perfectly reflected the “aggressive” style of cricket that Brook wants his team to play. Will Jacks ruthlessly put Matthew Forde away for 24 runs in the 47th over, whilst Jacob Bethell entertained a lively Edgbaston (encouraged as always by the iconic Eric Hollies stand), with a vast array of pull shots, slog sweeps, scoops, and his classic straight drive.
A pitiful 4 byes from Shai Hope behind the stumps, on the final delivery of the innings, saw England reach that rare 400-mark.
A record chase required for the West Indies to come…
