Root-Butler stand takes England to 303 for six

North Sound (Antigua), March 5 (IANS) Put in to bat, England recovered to score a defendable 303 for six in their 50 overs in the third and decisive One-Day International (ODI) against West Indies here at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium Wednesday.

After losing the first two wickets for 37 runs and a third at 115 after a short rain interruption, England’s innings was revived by a 122-ball century (107, 7×4) by Joe Root and his 176-run partnership with wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Butler, who missed his hundred by one run.

Opener Moeen Ali scored a quickfire 55 (59 balls,3×4,1×6) and added 76 runs with Root for the third wicket.

Butler, who hit seven fours and four sixes in his 84-ball 99, was dismissed by Ravi Rampaul with three balls left in the innings.

West Indies skipper Dwyane Bravo used eight bowlers to break the Root-Butler partnership but he himself managed it by dismissing the century-maker, but by then it was a bit too late in the innings. He was the most successful bowler, claiming three wickets for 60 in his 10 overs.

Brief scores:

England 303 for 6 in 50 overs (Moeen Ali 55, Joe Root 107, Jos Butler 99; Dwayne Bravo 3/60) vs West Indies