The Prague Post - Bethell stars as England make 400-8 against West Indies in 1st ODI

England are looking to end a seven-match losing streak in ODI cricket in what is Harry Brook's first match since becoming their permanent white-ball captain.

It seemed they might fall short of a commanding total in the first of this three-match series when Ben Duckett (60), Brook (58) and Joe Root (57) all got out when well set after England were sent into bat.

But 21-year-old left-hander Bethell, who came in at 221-4 on his Warwickshire home ground, continued to punish a wayward West Indies attack where fast bowler Jayden Seales took four wickets but conceded an expensive 84 runs in nine overs.

Bethell and Will Jacks (39) put on exactly 100 runs in seven overs late on to take England from 287-5 to 387-6.

Barbados-born Bethell, still without a hundred in any form of senior cricket, fell off the first ball of the last over when he edged Seales to West Indies captain and wicketkeeper Shai Hope to end a 53-ball innings including eight fours and five sixes.

Earlier, new ODI opener Jamie Smith scored freely on both sides of the wicket until, on 37, his hard-hit pull off first-change Alzarri Joseph as well caught at midwicket by Brandon King.

But England were still 90-1 at the end of the 10-over powerplay.

Left-hander Duckett cashed-in with a 34-ball fifty before he was superbly caught by Roston Chase at backward point off seamer Justin Greaves.

Duckett's exit brought in the 26-year-old Brook, appointed full-time skipper after Jos Buttler stood down as captain in February following a woeful Champions Trophy in Pakistan where England lost all three of their matches.

Brook struck Greaves for two superb sixes in three balls -- a lofted off-drive followed by an audacious sweep on one knee over his shoulder.

Root compiled a serene 60-ball fifty before he edged a drive off Seales to Hope and just when Brook ready to cut loose, he carved Seales to deep cover where Keacy Carty held a fine low catch

Bethell, however, ensured there was no respite for the bowlers, clubbing both Matthew Forde, whose eight wicketless overs went for a costly 88 runs, and Joseph for six before lofting Seales high over long-off.

The West Indies have won seven of their past 10 ODIs.

Y.Blaha--TPP