ENG vs WI, 2nd ODI: Joe Root’s unbeaten 166 guides England to dramatic 3-wicket win over West Indies in Cardiff

Add as a preferred source on Google

ENG vs WI, 2nd ODI: In a high-voltage encounter at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, England edged past the West Indies by three wickets in the second ODI of the 2025 bilateral series, thanks to an extraordinary unbeaten 166 from Joe Root.

The chase of 309 looked dicey after early jolts, but Root's cool-headed knock - supported by a nerveless cameo from Adil Rashid - saw England level the series 1-1 with one game to go. With the sun peeking through occasional clouds and a moderate Cardiff breeze slicing through the ground.

A sell-out crowd of passionate English supporters gathered early for what promised to be a cracker. And the game didn't disappoint - delivering a rollercoaster contest that ebbed and flowed right till the final over.

Electing to bat first, West Indies posted a competitive 308 from 47.4 overs, led by captain Shai Hope and the reliable Keacy Carty. But England, with their backs against the wall at 2 for 2 inside the second over, rose from the rubble - all thanks to Joe Root's vintage exhibition of one-day excellence.

Score Summary

West Indies – 308 all out in 47.4 overs

• Keacy Carty: 103 (105)
• Shai Hope: 78 (66)
• Brandon King: 59 (67)
• Adil Rashid: 10-0-63-4
• Saqib Mahmood: 9.4-0-37-3

England – 312/7 in 48.5 overs

• Joe Root: 166* (139)
• Will Jacks: 49 (58)
• Harry Brook: 47 (36)
• Alzarri Joseph: 10-1-31-4
• Jayden Seales: 9.5-1-56-1

Electing to bat first, West Indies posted a competitive 308 from 47.4 overs, led by captain Shai Hope and the reliable Keacy Carty. But England, with their backs against the wall at 2 for 2 inside the second over, rose from the rubble – all thanks to Joe Root's vintage exhibition of one-day excellence.

West Indies Innings: Hope and Carty Anchor Before Late Wobble

West Indies’ start was rocky, as debutant Jewel Andrew departed for a duck, caught by Will Jacks off Brydon Carse. Brandon King (59 off 67) attempted a counter-attack, smashing 7 boundaries and 1 six, but fell against the run of play to Adil Rashid.

It was then up to Keacy Carty and Shai Hope to do the heavy lifting. Carty struck a composed 103 off 105, peppered with 13 fours, while Hope remained the glue in the innings with a fluent 78 off 66. The pair kept the score ticking with smart rotation and intermittent boundaries, putting the English attack under pressure during the middle overs.

But just as the Windies eyed a score above 320, England’s spinners turned the tide.

Adil Rashid, in a defining spell of 10-0-63-4, ran through the lower order. Saqib Mahmood (9.4-0-37-3) also chipped in, removing Hope late in the innings and breaking West Indies' rhythm. The visitors collapsed from 258-4 to 308 all out, losing 6 wickets for just 50 runs in the final five overs.

England Innings: Early Collapse, Root Rescue Mission

The English chase began in complete disarray. Jayden Seales dismissed Jamie Smith for a four-ball duck in the opening over, and Matthew Forde accounted for Ben Duckett shortly after – leaving England reeling at 2/2.

Captain Harry Brook (47 off 36) injected some much-needed momentum with a flashy cameo, including seven boundaries. But when he fell, followed by Jos Buttler for a second-ball duck, the stadium quietened. At 93/4, West Indies could smell blood.

Enter Joe Root.

Playing with the serenity of a monk and the precision of a surgeon, Root stitched the innings back together with remarkable poise. He ran hard between the wickets, punished the bad balls and soaked in the pressure, reaching his hundred in just 98 balls.

Even as wickets fell around him – Jacob Bethell (17) lbw to Chase and Will Jacks (49) missing out on a half-century – Root remained unmoved, steering the ship expertly with late support from Rashid.

The Final Push: Rashid’s Calm & Root’s Class

The equation stood at 33 required from the final 30 balls with just three wickets in hand. Brydon Carse couldn't hang around for long, falling to Alzarri Joseph who finished with superb figures of 4 for 31.

But Rashid – England's spin ace turned lower-order saviour – held his nerve, rotating strike and finding gaps. He scored an unbeaten 10 off 11 balls, but more importantly, gave Root the strike whenever possible.

With 5 runs needed off 8 balls, Root sealed it in style, punching Seales past point for a boundary, and then tapping a single to finish with 166 not out off 139 balls – an innings decorated with 21 boundaries and 2 sixes.