Ton-up Bairstow sends WI into WC qualifiers
Jonny Bairstow blasted a maiden one-day international hundred as England condemned West Indies to a seven-wicket defeat at Old Trafford on Tuesday that means the twice former champions can no longer gain direct entry to the 2019 World Cup.
West Indies, the 1975 and 1979 World Cup winners, had to take this five-match series 5-0 or 4-0 with a tie or no result if they were to avoid the indignity of a qualifying competition for the next edition in England in two years' time.
But a total of 204 for nine, in a series-opener reduced to 42 overs per side after a wet outfield delayed the start by two hours, never looked enough.
England finished on 210 for three, with a mammoth 67 balls to spare.
Bairstow, who justified his retention at the top of the order, was exactly 100 not out -- his first century in 28 matches at this level.
Earlier, West Indies captain Jason Holder led from the front with 41 not out in his side's 204 for nine.
SCORES IN BRIEF
WEST INDIES: 204 for 9 in 42 overs (Gayle 37, Hope 35, Powell 23, Holder 41 not out; Woakes 2-41, Rashid 2-31, Stokes 3-43)
ENGLAND: 210 for 3 in 30.5 overs (Bairstow 100 not out, Hales 19, Root 54, Stokes 23 not out; Williams 2-50)
Result: England won by 7 wickets.
Player-of-the-match: Jonny Bairstow.
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