England women seal ODI series with dominant win over West Indies

LEICESTER: England's newly formed white-ball opening duo of Amy Jones and Tammy Beaumont continued their sensational form, scoring back-to-back centuries to hand the West Indies another crushing defeat in the second Women's ODI at Grace Road. 

The commanding performance sealed an unassailable 2-0 lead for the hosts in the three-match series.

Having already shared a 222-run opening stand in the series opener at Derby last Friday, both Jones and Beaumont once again dismantled the West Indies bowling attack, adding 202 runs for the first wicket. 

The visitors, already struggling with form, were further weakened by the absence of their skipper and star all-rounder Hayley Matthews and fellow opener Qiana Joseph, leaving them without their regular top-order.

Wicketkeeper-batter Amy Jones, who has spent most of her career in the middle and lower order, has flourished in her new role at the top. 

She smashed 129 off just 98 balls, including 20 boundaries. Just days earlier, she had scored her maiden ODI century—122 at Derby—marking a remarkable transition in her career.

Her partner Tammy Beaumont, the more experienced of the two, also notched up her second consecutive hundred, finishing with a six over midwicket. This was her 12th ODI century, extending her record as the leading century-maker in women's ODIs for England. 

The pair's two consecutive double-century stands now place them alongside Australia's Meg Lanning and Ellyse Perry as the only partnerships in women's cricket history to achieve such a feat.

England's dominance continued down the order, with Emma Lamb contributing a brisk 55, and Sophia Dunkley blasting 31 off 19 balls, powering the hosts to a formidable total of 366/6 in 50 overs.

Chasing a daunting 367, the depleted West Indies side faltered, and bowled out well short of the target. The lone bright spot for the visitors was debutant opener Realeanna Grimmond, who scored a composed 53 off 72 balls. 

Middle-order batter Jannillea Glasgow added a fiery 44 off 24 balls, but the efforts were not enough to threaten England’s total.

With the ball, Alice Capsey led the attack for England, claiming 3/42 in 8.3 overs, while Lauren Filer and Linsey Smith chipped in with two wickets apiece. Bell, Cross, and Davidson-Richards took a wicket each.

The third and final ODI will be played at Taunton on Saturday, June 7, where England will aim for another series whitewash, having already swept the T20I series 3-0 against the same opposition.