A late a sixth-wicket partnership between Jos Buttler and Moeen Ali enabled England to overcome a sensational innings from West Indies opener Evin Lewis, and a maiden five-wicket haul from young pacer, Alzarri Joseph, to wrap up the one-day series with a game to spare in a rain-decided thriller at The Oval.
The home team, set an improbable 357 to win after Lewis’ astonishing innings of 176 had powered the Windies to their highest ODI total on English soil, reached 258 for 5 after 35.1 overs – still needing another 99 runs – before play was halted
They were given a flying start by the returning Jason Roy, who made 82 from 66 balls, only for Joseph to rip out each of their first five wickets in the space of 9.4 overs.
However Moeen Ali (48) and Jos Buttler (43) then added 77 for the 6th wicket to rescue them from 181 for 5 while reeling in a DLS par score that had at one stage been 37 runs in the Windies’ favour.
Moeen secured the match for the hosts after drilling a pair of drives in Jerome Taylor’s final over – the second as the rain was already falling – to reach their par score of 252, and leave the field two runs later with a 3-0 series win all but mopped up.
Joseph ended as the pick of the West Indies bowlers with 5 for 56, his first 5 wicket haul in ODI cricket.
Earlier the Windies after losing the toss and being inserted to take first strike piled up 356 for 5 thanks to a blistering 176 by Lewis who was forced to retire hurt after he inside-edged a Jake Ball yorker onto his right ankle with 22 balls remaining. X-rays subsequently revealed a hairline fracture and he will miss the final match at the Ageas Bowl on Friday.
His knock which came from 130 balls included 17 fours and 7 sixes.
Skipper Jason Holder also got among the runs with 77 while Jason Mohammed added a patient 46 against Chris Woakes who took 3 for 71.