England Beats West Indies in Thrilling 2nd ODI After Buttler Wins Toss in Cardiff

England Beats West Indies in Thrilling 2nd ODI After Buttler Wins Toss in Cardiff Jun, 7 2025

England Clinches 3-Wicket Thriller Over West Indies in Cardiff ODI

Cricket fans were glued to their screens as England snatched a dramatic 3-wicket win over West Indies in the second ODI played at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, on June 1, 2025. The excitement kicked off right from the toss, with England captain Jos Buttler calling correctly and opting to bowl first. The conditions seemed perfect for fast bowling, with a hint of cloud overhead promising some swing early on.

West Indies, sent in to bat, put up a confident show despite some early movement off the pitch. They lost one opener cheaply, but their middle order gave England's bowlers a real test. Keacy Carty stood out with a superb 103, displaying patience, footwork, and crisp strokeplay. Not far behind, Shai Hope anchored the innings with a composed 78, guiding partnerships and rotating the strike whenever the pressure mounted.

The Caribbean side built on these performances to post a healthy 308 on the board. During the final ten overs, England’s bowlers tried to squeeze the flow of runs—Sam Curran and Reece Topley in particular kept things tight—but a few audacious shots from West Indies’ lower order kept the scoring rate brisk. Still, 308 didn’t seem completely out of reach for the hosts, especially on a Cardiff ground that historically favors chasing teams under lights.

Joe Root’s Masterclass Steals the Show

Joe Root’s Masterclass Steals the Show

England’s reply didn’t get off to a flyer. The openers were a little cautious, and a couple of wickets fell early to the seam of Alzarri Joseph. The pressure was on, but then Joe Root strode in and took charge. He didn’t go for risky shots, preferring timing and pure class, threading gaps and nudging singles like he was on autopilot. His unbeaten 166 anchored the innings and completely changed the tempo.

England wobbled midway as West Indies spinners picked up key wickets, but Root found able support from the lower order. Moeen Ali and Tom Hartley chipped in with handy cameos, helping to rebuild when the chase threatened to unravel. Even as wickets fell at the other end, Root’s calm presence allowed England to pace their pursuit, never letting the run rate spiral out of control.

  • England eventually crossed the finish line at 312/7, sealing victory with just a handful of balls remaining.
  • Root’s 166*, a career-best ODI score, won him the man of the match and reminded everyone why he’s a linchpin for England in white-ball cricket.
  • For fans, it was a nail-biting contest, especially as England lost late wickets and West Indies sniffed a late comeback.

This victory levels the three-match series 1-1, setting up a tantalizing decider. The energy around the ground after the final boundary was electric—English fans had witnessed a home hero chase down a daunting target, while the visitors would regret missed chances in the field.

If today’s game is any indication, expect more fireworks when these two sides meet next.