LONDON, July 2 – England wrapped up a dominant ODI series victory against West Indies, clinching a 3-0 clean sweep with a convincing 7-wicket win in a rain-hit final match at The Oval. Powered by Jamie Smith’s explosive 64 off 28 balls and Ben Duckett’s steady 58, the hosts chased down a DLS-revised target of 246 in just 29.4 overs, putting on a batting masterclass in front of a lively home crowd.
Rain, Traffic, and a Late Start at The Oval
The final ODI was delayed due to unexpected London traffic and intermittent rain, which forced multiple interruptions. The 50-over contest was eventually shortened to 40 overs per side. West Indies, who were put in to bat first, had a rough start, crumbling to 28/3 within the first seven overs.
West Indies’ Collapse and Fightback
England’s bowling attack, led by Adil Rashid (3/40) and Saqib Mahmood (2/48), dismantled the Windies top order early. However, Sherfane Rutherford (70 off 71) and Keacy Carty (29 off 35) forged a much-needed 62-run stand to stabilize the innings.
But Rashid’s breakthrough opened the floodgates again, and the visitors slid from 90/3 to 154/7. A late counterattack from Gudakesh Motie (63 off 54) and Alzarri Joseph (41 off 29) lifted the total to 251/9, with the duo smashing five boundaries and five sixes between them to inject some respectability into the innings.
Smith and Duckett Steal the Show
Chasing a revised DLS target of 246, England’s opening pair wasted no time. Jamie Smith tore into Jayden Seales and Gudakesh Motie, bringing up 64 off just 28 deliveries, including 3 sixes and 10 boundaries. His fireworks set the tone early on and earned him the Player of the Match award.
Ben Duckett, playing the perfect foil, built his half-century with composed shot selection, reaching 58 in 46 balls. Together, they compiled a 93-run opening stand in just seven overs, making a mockery of the target.
Middle-Order Stability and Buttler’s Finishing Touch
After Smith’s departure, Joe Root (44 off 49) partnered with Duckett for another solid 62-run stand. Although the middle overs saw a brief slowdown, England were always ahead of the required rate.
Harry Brook (26 off 36) held one end as Root departed at the 200-run mark. In came Jos Buttler, who smashed 41 off just 20 balls*, striking 5 boundaries and 2 sixes to finish the match in style—with 10.2 overs to spare.
England’s Series Highlights:
- 3-0 ODI series win
- Dominant performances across all departments
- Rising talents like Jamie Smith stepping up
- Balanced squad rotation ahead of upcoming ICC fixtures
Match Summary:
West Indies: 251/9 in 40 overs
(Sherfane Rutherford 70, Gudakesh Motie 63; Adil Rashid 3/40)
England: 246/3 in 29.4 overs
(Jamie Smith 64, Ben Duckett 58, Jos Buttler 41)*
Result: England won by 7 wickets (DLS Method)
Series: England won 3-0
What’s Next for England and West Indies?
- England will carry this momentum into their upcoming series with key focus on preparing for the ICC Champions Trophy and T20 World Cup 2026.
- West Indies, on the other hand, need to regroup and re-strategize ahead of their next assignments with young talent showing glimpses of promise, but lacking consistency.
