England complete 3-0 series win over West Indies

England romped to a 3-0 series clean sweep over West Indies with a seven-wicket victory in the third ODI at the Kia Oval.

Chasing 246 in 40 overs after rain, Jamie Smith crashed 64 from just 28 balls – his first ODI half-century – as England reached 100 after just eight overs.

That was the joint-fourth quickest any men’s side has reached three figures in the format and they were able to complete their chase with 10.2 overs to spare with Ben Duckett hitting 58 and Joe Root 44.

West Indies had earlier posted 251-9 in their rain-interrupted 40 overs. In an innings split in two by a 90-minute rain delay, Gudakesh Motie’s 63 at number eight rescued an innings that was floundering at 154-7 despite Sherfane Rutherford’s 70.

But Adil Rashid took 3-40 and, despite the bowling lacking accuracy throughout, England secured their first ODI series win since before their white-ball downturn began at the 2023 World Cup.

New captain Harry Brook will look to continue his perfect start in charge in the three-match T20 series which starts in Chester-le-Street on Friday.

Brook, speaking to Test Match Special about winning his first series, said: “It feels awesome. This last game, we played beautifully on quite a good pitch. We didn’t let them get too many runs against us and finished it off beautifully. Naturally, we just wanted to concentrate on our skills and execute as well as possible.

“Jamie Smith played awesome, everyone knows how well he can play. He got man of the match which is a nice little touch for him.”

Player of the Match Jamie Smith added: “It was nice to come out here and play aggressive. It’s the way the team want me to play, to set up a nice start.

“I felt like having missed out in the last game, I wanted to prove that it is a position that I can make my own. I wanted to push out my chest out a bit and say that I’m good enough to open the batting.”