Hales, Root hundreds lead England to 328

Innings break England 328 (Hales 110, Root 101, Joseph 4-76) v West Indies
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Alex Hales justified his swift recall to the England side with a commanding century in the final ODI of the series against West Indies in Barbados.

Hales, who was only officially added to the England squad a couple of days ago after proving his recovery from a hand injury, struck the fifth century of his ODI career to help England to a total of 328.

With West Indies having never won an ODI when chasing 300, they will have to set a new record if they are to gain a consolation victory. England have already taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Despite Sam Billings having opened in the last three games – and having done a reasonable job, with two half-centuries – the England management was insistent that, once Hales was fit, he would return to the side. And that faith was vindicated as he demonstrated not just his power, but his shot selection and ability to pace an innings and judge a decent score in demanding circumstances.

Hales, in his 39th innings and 41st match, has hit five ODI centuries quicker than any other England batsman. David Gower, who made his fifth ODI century in his 43rd innings and 45th match, was the previous record-holder for England.

Hales was given fine support by Joe Root. Root made the ninth ODI century of his career – only Marcus Trescothick (12) has scored more for England – helping Hales add 192 in 30.3 overs for the second-wicket.

Not for the first time this series, though, West Indies will rue a couple of missed chances. Root was dropped on 1 and 12, with the first chance – offered to Evin Lewis at midwicket – relatively straightforward by international standards. Lewis was slightly slow to react to the ball and, diving forward late, was unable to cling on as his elbows crashed into the turf. Alzarri Joseph was the unfortunate bowler.

The second chance was tougher. Ashley Nurse, a solitary slip but positioned about where fourth slip would normally stand, made good ground to his right but again was unable to take the chance as his hit the ground. Jason Holder was the unlucky bowler on that occasion.

Lewis’ day worsened a few minutes later when, having retrieved a ball from just inside the cover boundary, he slipped on the concrete or synthetic grass just beyond the playing area and sustained a serious blow to his left wrist or arm. After lying motionless for several minutes, he was helped off the pitch but West Indies reported it was just bruising and he was expected to bat.

It meant that Root, who scored only three for his first 17 deliveries, was given the opportunity to find his fluency. And gradually, as conditions eased and he settled in, he began to demonstrate the range of strokes and placement that make him such a fine player. It was his first ODI century since February 2016, in which time he has reached 50 on eight occasions without going to make a three-figure contribution.

Batting was not easy for most of the first hour. Put in on a surface that might have started just a touch damp – the third game in succession in which Holder had won the toss – England’s batsmen initially struggled to find their touch. Jason Roy drove to mid-off and, after 10 overs they had made just 39 for 1.

But, as in Antigua, England recognised that conditions would improve and gave themselves time to make up for the slow start.

Hales took a particular shine to the legspin of Devendra Bishoo. At one stage he struck Bishoo for 22 in six balls, a spell that included two fours and two sixes, forcing Holder to withdraw the legspinner from the attack and use part-time bowlers such as Kraigg Brathwaite and Jonathan Carter instead.

It was a ploy that almost worked. Hales was adjudged to have been leg-before to Brathwaite on 93 but he called for a review that suggested the ball would have drifted on past the off stump.

Once the pair were parted, though – both Hales and Root fell to outfield catches as they tried to accelerate – England’s innings fell away. Joseph, playing instead of the injured Shannon Gabriel, finished with four wickets (albeit for 76 runs) as reward for his pace and persistence, and Holder claiming three as England lost 9 for 109. They lost their final wicket, a run-out where both batsmen ended up at the same end, from the final ball of the innings.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

Source: ESPN Crickinfo