Joe Root hit his highest ODI score as England beat the West Indies by three wickets in Cardiff on Sunday.

Victory gave the hosts an unassailable 2-0 lead ahead of Tuesday’s finale at The Oval, with Harry Brook enjoying a series win in his first campaign as England’s full-time white-ball captain.

England, chasing 309 to win, collapsed to 2-2 as openers Jamie Smith and Ben Duckett were both out for a duck.

But star batsman Root’s 166* – his 18th century in 168 ODI innings – saw England win with seven balls to spare ahead of Tuesday’s finale at The Oval, despite West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph’s fine return of 4-31 from his maximum 10 overs.

Root received good support from Brook (47) in a stand of 85. Then Will Jacks (49) helped Root add 143 in 20 overs during a sixth-wicket partnership that took the hosts to the brink of victory.

The West Indies were much-improved with both bat and ball following their humiliating 238-run loss at Edgbaston on Thursday.

Despite the in-form Keacy Carty’s 103, they were ultimately made to pay for not compiling a truly huge total when well-placed on 205-2 at Sophia Gardens.

© Agence France-Presse

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