England hammer Windies despite Gayle heroics on return to international cricket

England  on Tuesday romped  to  an  easy  8  wicket  win  over  the  West Indies   at  The Oval  to  take  a  winning  2-nil  lead  in  the  three  match  one  day  international  series.

This  despite  a  whirlwind  knock  of  53  from  Chris  Gayle  on  his  return  to  international  cricket  and  a  breath-taking  77  from  Dwayne  Bravo.

However England’s captain Alistair Cook with a century of 112 off 120 balls   which included 13 fours and a six saw his team to victory at  239 for 2 with 5 overs to spare  replying to the West Indies’ total of 238 for 9 from  their  50  overs.

Ian Bell weighed in with a half century 53 while sharing in an opening partnership of 122 with Man of The Match Cook.

Captain Darren Sammy was the only successful bowler for the West Indies with 2 for 46.

Earlier Chris Gayle cracked a half century before he was controversially given out. He bladed 3 fours and five sixes  on  his  way  to  53  from 51 balls while putting on 63 for the first wicket with Lendl Simmons who fell for 12.

Dwayne Bravo also scored a half century propping up the middle order with 77 as both he and Kieron Pollard 41 added 100 runs in a 5th wicket stand.

Sammy made 21 as he and Marlon Samuels 13 were the only others to get into double figures.

Stuart Broad took 2 for 43 and James Anderson 2 for 38.

The third and final game will be played on Friday at Headingly following which the Windies will wrap up the tour with a t20 international on Sunday at Trent Bridge.