A day after being a doubt for the match, Ian Bell went on to score 126 off 117 balls as England beat the West Indies by 114 runs (D/L). On Friday Ian Bell was stuck on the chin as he attempted a pull shot in the nets. He was suspected to have had a broken jaw and required 10 stitches. Today he appeared to be in no discomfort at all as he elegantly caressed the ball to all parts of the Ageas Bowl. There was some power hitting too though with a brilliant six that went straight over bowler Andre Russell's head.
With Kevin Pietersen's retirement from International ODIs, Bell was drafted into the squad to open. With it being the first time in England where a new ball has used from both ends in an ODI, England opted for a proper opener rather than a pinch-hitter.
England got off to a poor start having been inserted to bat when captain Alistair Cook was caught behind third ball off the bowling of Ravi Rampaul. However, Bell and Jonathan Trott went on to share a 107 run partnership and lead the recovery.
It was a different look West Indies team for the one-day series with the likes of Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard and Lendl Simmons coming in. But the West Indies were still missing the much anticipated return of Chris Gayle as he was ruled out with a leg injury. This must have been a disappointment to the 13,000 strong crowd who braved the bitter cold, strong winds and rain at the Ageas Bowl in this so-called summer. Whether it was the cold that affected them, but the West Indies fielding was sloppy with several lazy misfields.
Other than Cook, Ravi Bopara was only other Englishman to be out in single figures. The rest of England team who batted all made reasonable contributions as England made 288 for 6 from their 50 overs.
The West Indies started their reply well and were 59 for 1 after the first 10 overs with Simmons being the only casualty at that point. The rain came when the Windies were still in it at 127 for 5 after 23 overs. After an almost 2 hour rain-delay the teams came out to a revised D/L target of 287 from 48 overs.
With Gayle injured and Darren Bravo picking up a groin injury in the match, Andre Russell slipped on the green taking a run and had severe discomfort in his shoulder to add to the injury list. The rain seemed to liven the pitch up as the Windies collapsed. They lost their last five wickets for 35 runs as England's impressive bowling attack finished the job. Tim Bresnan was pick of the bowlers with 4 for 34 from 7.4 overs but the entire attack was economical and made bowling look easy. The West Indies were 172 all out from 33.4 overs.
The next ODI is on Tuesday at the Kia Oval, how the West Indies will be wishing he Chris Gayle is fit for Tuesday and hitting the ball out of the ground.
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