Bairstow’s 141 helps seal ODI clean sweep

Jonny Bairstow bagged his second hundred of the Royal London Series as England set aside controversial distractions to end their longest summer with a nine-wicket romp and 4-0 clean sweep over the West Indies yesterday.

Eoin Morgan’s men could perhaps have been forgiven for trudging to the finish line after the arrest of Ben Stokes on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm, and his and Alex Hales’ subsequent suspension by the England and Wales Cricket Board from international fixtures until further notice.

But England limited the tourists to 288 for six despite Shai Hope’s 72 from number three and then – underpinned by Bairstow’s 90-ball century, and 96 from his opening partner Jason Roy – chased with unerring ease and 12 overs to spare as they reached 294 for one.

A second successive century opening stand put them on track, Roy narrowly missing his hundred for the second time in three days since returning in place of Hales and Bairstow (141no ) then completing the job with England’s highest individual score against the Windies.

The tourists had found the resources to bag 115 runs in the last 12 overs to post a credible but far from daunting target – and one which proved well within England’s capabilities as they chalked up a 16th win in their last 17 ODIS against these opponents.

The resounding victory was a fine way to sign off a lengthy summer campaign for England. They began their odyssey with a one-day international win against Ireland in Bristol on May 5.