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England crush West Indies to clinch series

May 26, 2009 23:57 IST

England crushed West Indies by 58 runs in the third and final one-day international at Edgbaston on Tuesday to clinch the series 2-0.

Coming after their Test series win over the Windies it was the perfect fillip for the forthcoming World Twenty20 and Ashes series, though England will have to work much harder for success in those competitions.

The home side piled up 328 for seven after being put in, their third-highest total in a 50-over match and highest against the West Indies, who again looked short on motivation and application.

An 81-run opening stand set England on their way with Ravi Bopara hitting a sharp 49 and captain Andrew Strauss 52.

Wicketkeeper Matt Prior, elevated to number three in place of the injured Kevin Pietersen, grabbed the opportunity with a flashing 87 off 86 balls and he put on 149 with Owais Shah (75).

Both men started steadily but grew in confidence as they scored 55 from five powerplay overs to put England in control.

Wickets fell more quickly after their dismissal but Paul Collingwood's 23 from 14 balls helped complete a daunting score.

It was soon to look even better as West Indies captain Chris Gayle and key batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan fell early and Runako Morton was run out.

BRIEF FLURRY

Dwayne Bravo had a brief flurry but was lbw to Tim Bresnan for 26, leaving Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Denesh Ramdin to plod on as the required run rate spiralling into double figures.

Chanderpaul eventually fell for 68, holing out when he finally tried to accelerate in the power play, and Ramdin was caught behind for 45.

Two chaotic run-outs accounted for Kieron Pollard and Jerome Taylor and, after another late burst of hitting that merely showed up their earlier go-slow tactics, James Anderson finished things off by bowling Sulieman Benn for 31 in the final over.

It was the seamer's third wicket as the tourists succumbed for 270.

"I thought we were excellent with the bat... it proved too many for the West Indies and provides more momentum for the lads," Strauss told Sky Sports.

"We've been working hard and it's good to get the rewards.

"We didn't let off at any stage during the tests or the one dayers and that's what you have to do if you want to be a good side.

"We need to do more of it but it's a good start."

Scorecard

England:
A Strauss st Ramdin b Benn 52
R Bopara b Bravo 49
M Prior b Taylor 87
O Shah c Morton b Taylor 75
A Mascarenhas c & b Pollard 0
P Collingwood b Taylor 23
E Morgan not out 6
T Bresnan c Rampaul b Pollard 9
S Broad not out 6
Extras: (b-2 nb-2 w-10 lb-7) 21
Total: (for seven wickets, 50 overs) 328

Fall of wickets: 1-81, 2-129, 3-278, 4-279, 5-289, 6-308, 7-317.

Did not bat: G Swann, J. Anderson.

Bowling: Taylor 10-1-59-3 (2nb, 2w), Rampaul 4-0-29-0 (1w), Edwards 6-0-43-0 (1w), Bravo 6-0-43-1 (1w), Benn 10-0-51-1, Gayle 5-0-31-0, Pollard 9-0-63-2 (1w).

West Indies:
C Gayle c Bopara b Broad 11
R Morton run out 21
R Sarwan c Strauss b Anderson 9
S Chanderpaul c Bopara b Broad 68
D Bravo lbw b Bresnan 26
D Ramdin c Prior b Anderson 45
K Pollard run out 12
J Taylor run out 18
S Benn b Anderson 31
R Rampaul b Swann 16
F Edwards not out 4
Extras: (b-2, lb-2, w-5) 9
Total: (all out; 49.4 overs) 270

Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-22, 3-66, 4-99, 5-181, 6-189, 7-212, 8-223, 9-254.

Bowling: Broad 10-0-63-2, Anderson 9.4-0-58-3, Mascarenhas 7-0-43-0, Bresnan 10-0-36-1, Swann 8-0-38-1, Collingwood 5-0-28-0.

Source: REUTERS
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