Harry Brook’s start to life as full-time England white-ball captain got off to the perfect start, as he guided his side to a massive victory over West Indies and claimed a share of a notable world record in the process.
Brook claimed five catches, equalling the world record for an outfielder. Only South Africa’s Jonty Rhodes, a man credited with revolutionising the art of fielding, has taken as many in an innings. While most of Brook’s catches were routine, his feat underlined a happy knack for stationing his fielders in the right places. One effort stood out, flying through the air to dismiss Jewel Andrew off the bowling of Jacob Bethell.
It was a good day for fielders generally. Brydon Carse’s leaping one-hander on the rope was the pick of the bunch, closely followed by an effort from Roston Chase, who sprinted and dived towards the boundary to see off Jamie Overton. In all, only the last wicket of the game, Alzarri Joseph bowled by Adil Rashid, wasn’t bowled, with the 17 catches in the game two short of the world record.
There were several other statistical highlights. Jayden Seales top scored with an unbeaten 29 from No.11 for West Indies, only the seventh time the last man has done so in a men’s ODI innings. And while none of the tourists could make it to 30, all of England’s top seven managed to, a first in the format’s history. Jacob Bethell’s 82 was the top score, making England’s 400-8 the highest ODI total not to include an individual hundred. The margin of 238 runs was England’s second biggest in ODI cricket, just shy of the 242 runs by which Australia were pummelled at Trent Bridge in 2018, when the hosts broke the world record for the biggest ODI total.
It was some way to end a run of seven straight ODI defeats, and gives England hope of a first bilateral series win since the start of the 2023 Cricket World Cup. They will have a chance to claim an unassailable lead at Cardiff on Sunday, June 1.
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