Cook leads England to series win

Thursday, 21 June 2012 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

England ODI captain Alastair Cook's fifth century helped his side register an eight-wickets win over West Indies in the second match of the three-match series at The Oval on Tuesday.

Cook who scored 112 (114b, 12x4) shared a century opening stand with Ian Bell (53) as England chased down West Indies score of 238 for nine.

Cook put on 81 for the second wicket with Jonathan Trott as England won with five overs to spare to claim an unassailable 2-0 lead.

The hard work was done, though, when Cook's bowling attack withstood an early barrage from Chris Gayle (53) and restricted the Windies to an under-par total despite a worthy 77 from Dwayne Bravo.

Earlier, playing his first match for West Indies in 14 months, big-hitting opener Chris Gayle bludgeoned a quickfire 53 in 51 balls after England won the toss and put the visitors in to bat.

Gayle took a particular liking to Tim Bresnan as he smashed the seamer for three huge sixes.

The opener was eventually given out lbw to Graeme Swann in contentious fashion.

Gayle reviewed his dismissal to the television umpire who upheld the original decision even though replays were inconclusive as to whether the ball took an inside edge before or after it struck his pad.

The wicket triggered a collapse as West Indies slumped from 63 for nought to 79 for four, captain Alastair Cook helping England's cause by running out opener Lendl Simmons for 12 with a direct hit at the bowler's end.

Dwayne Bravo then combined with Kieron Pollard (41) to put on 100 for the fifth wicket as the sunshine started to emerge from behind the clouds in London.

The pair produced some controlled hitting and Bravo top-scored with 77 from 82 deliveries before holing out to Ravi Bopara who took a steepling catch off the bowling of James Anderson.

Anderson and Stuart Broad took two wickets apiece for the home team.

Before the start of play both teams observed a minute's silence and flags around the ground were at half-mast in memory of Surrey batsman Tom Maynard, 23, who was killed on Monday after being hit by a train.