England vs West Indies 2017: 2nd ODI, 5 talking points

A low scoring match at Antigua saw England trump West Indies by four wickets to wrap up the three-match series 2-0 with one game to go. Opting to bat first, the West Indies batsmen got starts but failed to convert them into bigger scores with Jason Mohammed the only one to reach the half-century mark. West Indies were bowled out for 225 in the 48th over.

With a dynamic batting line-up, England hoped to scale the target easily. Jason Roy came out all guns blazing and slammed a half-century. But the introduction of spinners, Ashley Nurse and Devendra Bishoo slowed down the scoring and brought a bucket full of wickets. The duo bowled uninterrupted spells from overs 10 to 29 which led to six England wickets.

Joe Root and Chris Woakes then built a superb partnership although Woakes had little overs from the main spinners to contend with. The pair remained unbeaten as England won the game by four wickets with an over and a half to spare.

Brief scores: West Indies 225/10 in 47.5 overs (Mohammed 50, Plunkett 3/32, Finn 2/38) lost to England 226/6 in 48.2 overs (Root 90, Woakes 68, Nurse 3/34)

Take a look at the talking points from the second ODI at North Sound, Antigua.

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#5 Jason Mohammed gets a start again

Mohammed has been West Indies' go to man in the first two ODIs and the hard-hitting middle order batsman compiled his second half-century of the series in as many games here at Antigua.

Although a part of the 2006 Under-19 squad along with Kieron Pollard, it is only now that Mohammed has been recognised as international material. His fanciful T20 knocks paved the way for his inclusion in the One-Day squad, and so far, he has done a much better job than the others.

Mohammed walked in with Windies reeling at 46/3 and paved a good stand with Kraigg Brathwaite before the former departed. Carter, however, gave him company and Mohammed once again made a half-century. But he popped a leading edge off Plunkett to mid-on soon after his fifty.

#4 Steven Finn third quickest to 100 ODI scalps

Finn became the third quickest England bowler to 100 wickets in ODIs

England have tried many fast bowlers in recent times that Steven Finn had been slightly pushed to the background. But as they say, stats never lie, and Finn proved his worth with two quick wickets up front, the second of which made him the third quickest England bowler to 100 ODI wickets.

The tall, lanky seamer has pace, generates uncomfortable bounce and bowls the right channels to keep batsmen on their toes. His occasional problem of his foot hitting the non-striker's stumps also seems to have disappeared which makes quite a pleasing package to have.

With Chris Woakes playing the Anderson role in the team and Liam Plunkett offering the out and out pace option, Finn's hit the deck bowling might just be what England needs to complete their bowling jigsaw.

#3 Kraigg Brathwaite a questionable ODI selection?

Brathwaite's strike rate is pretty poor by ODI standards

While there is no doubting his Test match ability, Kraigg Brathwaite seems like an outdated One-Day player. A solid batsman, with a sound technique, Brathwaite has been a great find for the West Indies in Tests.

However, his nine matches in his short ODI career does not inspire much confidence. He has scored 273 runs at an average of 30.33 with only one half-century. But what is appalling is his strike rate of 57.96; an opening batsman in modern cricket gets to play in the Powerplay overs which means his strike rate should be at least 70 as per current ODI standards.

Against England, Brathwaite looked good but fell after he had made 42 runs. Those runs took 70 balls and killed the momentum of the innings, although it must be said he had to shield his wicket after his partners had thrown them away. Even so, he must show the ability to improve his strike rate if he is to remain in the side in ODIs.

#2 The unbroken spells

Nurse took three wickets on a slow Antigua wicket

Jason Holder brought on his spinners, Ashley Nurse and Devendra Bishoo in the 10th over, and the duo sizzled on a slow wicket, bamboozling the England batsmen with turn and flight.

From overs 21 to 25, England lost four wickets to the spinners. Roy was already dismissed by Nurse in the 15th over after he had stroked a half-century. Nurse then had Morgan plumb in front of the wicket with a drifted delivery that did not spin and rapped him on the pads.

Bishoo, meanwhile, dismissed the dangerous duo of Stokes and Buttler as England looked all at sea against the spinners. Nurse picked up another wicket by cleaning up Moeen Ali's stumps in the 25th over. Nurse and Bishoo bowled out their 10 overs in one stretch from overs 10-29.

#1 The unbroken 102 run partnership

Joe Root and Chris Woakes sealed the game with a 102-run stand

Joe Root was watching from the other end as his partners kept falling to the spinners in the middle overs. By the time Nurse had bowled Ali, England were 124/6 with the target looking as far as away as Pluto.

Root was joined by Chris Woakes, who has time and again proved his ability to bat in such situations. The all-rounder did not have too many overs from the main spinners to contend with and once that was done looked comfortable at the crease.

Root played the anchor role as Woakes went after the bowlers. Slowly but steadily England inched towards the target. The only two lofted shots came from Woakes and that was only after the target was well within reach. The 102-run unbeaten stand finished the game for England with Woakes remaining unbeaten on 68 and Root on 90.