Bell And Bresnan Star In Big England Win

Bell And Bresnan Star In Big England Win

England celebrate a wicket during their comprehensive ODI win over the West Indies in Southampton

©REUTERS / Action Images

England 288-6 (Bell 126, Trott 42) beat
West Indies 172 (Bresnan 4-34) by 114 runs
First One-Day International, Southampton
Scorecard

Ian Bell stroked a classy century and Tim Bresnan took four wickets as England comfortably won the first One-Day International against the West Indies by 114 runs.

Bell's 126 helped England post 286 for eight and they maintained an excellent record at the ground by dismissing the West Indies, who had been set a Duckworth/Lewis revised target of 287 in 47 overs, for 172.

Bell was struck in the chin in the build-up to the match but was passed fit to play and proved it with his second ODI century and an innings that included 12 fours and a six.

With Chris Gayle absent with a foot injury, it was left to Bell and Dwayne Smith, who blasted 56 in 44 balls for the tourists, to steal the show at the top of the order.

Offering Bell support for England were Jonathan Trott (42), Craig Kieswetter (38 not out) and Stuart Broad (22 not out). England overcame the early departure of captain Alastair Cook for nought and Bell's century was the fifth game in a row that had seen an England opener reach three figures.

Smith then gave England a scare or two before their superior bowling attack dismissed the Caribbean side in 33.4 overs after a lengthy delay due to rain had lopped three overs off the game, although by then the West Indies were in deep trouble at 127 for five.

Bresnan dismissed Smith, Denesh Ramdin (22), Andre Russell (7) and Sunil Narine (0) while James Anderson and Graeme Swann picked up two wickets apiece.

The second game in the three-match series is at The Oval on Tuesday 19th June.

© Cricket World 2012