By Zainab Shafiq 
In a pulsating ODI clash at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, England pulled off a thrilling chase to beat West Indies by three wickets and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. The match belonged, in every possible way, to Joe Root, whose unbeaten 166 off 139 balls carved his name once again into the hearts of English cricket fans.
Root Anchors Epic Chase After Early Collapse as England Win 2nd ODI
Chasing 309, England’s innings began in disarray. Openers Jamie Smith and Ben Duckett departed for ducks within the first 10 balls, leaving the hosts reeling at 2/2. The pressure mounted when Jos Buttler also fell cheaply, and at 93/4, the chase looked fragile.
But from the wreckage rose Joe Root. Calm and commanding, Root showcased his vintage ODI touch with textbook strokes and sheer resilience. Partnering with Harry Brook (47 off 36), the duo steadied England’s innings with a crucial 85-run stand. Though Brook perished just as momentum began to build, Root refused to let the game slip.
Will Jacks’ gritty 49 proved vital too. The pair stitched together a century stand that wrestled back the narrative and dented West Indies’ spirit. When Jacks fell LBW to Alzarri Joseph in the 44th over, England still needed 33 runs. But Root, in cruise control, accelerated with Adil Rashid (10*), sealing victory with seven balls to spare.
Root’s innings — laced with 21 boundaries and two sixes — was a lesson in pressure play, pacing a chase, and unshakable focus. It was his highest score in ODIs and a knock that defined not only the match but also his importance in England’s white-ball lineup.
West Indies Shine Then Fade as Root Steals Show
Earlier, the West Indies posted a formidable 308 after being put into bat. Keacy Carty’s composed 103 and Shai Hope’s breezy 78 formed the bedrock of the innings. Brandon King also contributed 59 in an assertive opening stand. At 205/2, the visitors looked poised for 330+, but a middle and lower-order collapse, triggered by Adil Rashid’s four-wicket burst, pegged them back.
Despite their strong start, West Indies lost their last eight wickets for just 103 runs. Rashid (4/63) and Saqib Mahmood (3/37) did the damage, aided by tight fielding and clever bowling rotations from England.
Though Alzarri Joseph fought back with the ball (4/31), England’s depth and Root’s brilliance proved too much. With this win, England now lead the three-match series 2-0, heading into the final game with confidence and momentum firmly on their side.
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