Joe Root's century, Adil Rashid's four-fer power England to series-clinching three-wicket win over West Indies in second ODI

Joe Root's robust unbeaten 166 and Adil Rashid's four-fer helped England down West Indies by three wickets in the second ODI at the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff to win the three-match series. It was a brilliant all-round performance from the hosts, who first bundled out the visitors for a total of 308 and then achieved the target with seven deliveries left to spare. The victory also saw England clinch the series by taking an unassailable 2-0 lead.

Root survived a seemingly clear LBW appeal, which umpire Adrian Holdstock turned down, and also benefited from a couple of close run-out opportunities that went his way. However, once he settled, Root was truly masterful. His career-best unbeaten 166, featuring 21 fours and two sixes, showcased a dominant display of control, perfect timing, and composure under pressure.

England's chase began disastrously, with openers Jamie Smith and Ben Duckett both dismissed for ducks. Jayden Seales and Matthew Forde struck early, reducing the hosts to 0 for 2 and handing the early initiative to the West Indies. Captain Harry Brook launched a spirited counterattack, batting fluently in an attempt to steady the ship. At the other end, Root adopted a more measured approach, taking his time to get comfortable. Just as Brook appeared set to reach a half-century, Alzarri Joseph removed him with a well-directed short ball for 44 in the 12th over. The West Indies pacer struck again two overs later, dismissing Jos Buttler for a duck and leaving England in deep trouble at 56 for 4.

Despite the mounting pressure, Root remained unfazed. He found a willing partner in Jacob Bethell as the pair set about rebuilding the innings. Root reached his second fifty of the series with a blend of calm strike rotation and assertive strokeplay. Bethell, however, couldn't convert his start and was dismissed against the run of play by Roston Chase for 17 off 28 deliveries—a setback that once again tilted the balance in the visitors' favor.

With wickets falling around him, Root held firm. The West Indies' spin duo of Gudakesh Motie and Chase struggled to maintain consistent pressure, offering too many scoring opportunities. Root fully capitalized on this, rotating the strike effectively and dispatching any loose deliveries. He soon brought up his 18th ODI hundred, an innings that underscored his immense value in England's middle order, particularly in high-pressure situations.

At the other end, Will Jacks provided composed support. Batting with maturity, he focused on building a significant partnership rather than attempting risky strokes. Together, Root and Jacks forged a crucial 133-run stand for the sixth wicket, which gradually deflated the West Indies' attack and decisively swung the match in England's favor.

With the game slipping away, Joseph returned to the attack and delivered once more. He trapped Jacks leg-before for 49, denying the all-rounder a well-deserved half-century. Joseph later added another wicket to finish with superb figures of 4 for 31 from his ten overs—a standout performance in an otherwise inconsistent bowling display. Despite Joseph's efforts, the lack of support from the other bowlers allowed Root to guide England to victory. His control and game management in the final stages ensured there were no further alarms, as the hosts completed the chase with three wickets in hand and seven balls remaining.

Earlier, the Three Lions had won the toss and had elected to bowl first. Though they got the wicket of West Indies opener Jewl Andrew early in the second over through Brydon Carse, the duo of Brandon King and Keacy Carty formed a fantastic partnership.

Both the batters smacked the English bowlers all around the stadium and formed a 141-run stand. Rashid broke the dangerous partnership in the 26th over by di=smissing King for 59 runs.

However, England's problems didn't end there as Carty went on to score a terrific century, taking the West Indies' total to 205/2 at one stage. But from this point, things started to go downhill for the visitors. Carty lost his wicket after scoring 103 runs and this wicket triggered a collapse as the likes of Shimron Hetmyer, Justin Greaves, Matthew Forde and Roston Chase all lost their wickets for cheap.

But, skipper Shai Hope played a valuable knock of 78 and that helped West Indies get close to the 300-run mark. Though wickets kept falling at the other end, Hope didn't let himself fall prey to the England bowlers.

Late cameos of 18 and 10 from Gudakesh Motie and Alzarri Joseph helped the visitors in taking their total over the 300-run mark before they were bundled out with Hope being the final man to depart in the 48th over. It was spinner Saqib Mahmood who got his wicket and finished with figures of 3/37 in 9.4 overs. Rashid was the star of the show for England in the bowling department, finishing his quota of 10 overs with bowling figures of 4/63.

Meanwhile, the third ODI between England and West Indies will be played on June 3 at The Oval.