Harry Brook equals Jonty Rhodes' world record as England become first team in history to...

The Harry Brook era in England has begun with an emphatic 238-run win over the West Indies in the three-match ODI series opener at Edgbaston on Thursday, May 29. Harry Brook made his captaincy debut in grand fashion, leading England from the front against the West Indies.

Brook has not only made a mark with his impressive leadership but also contributed immensely as a player as well. The talented cricketer first hit a brilliant fifty (58 runs off 45 balls) and then took five catches to play his role in England’s dominant win over the West Indies in the first ODI.

Harry Brook's dream captaincy debut powers England to dominant win over West Indies

It was a near-perfect performance by the young English side, packed with milestones, dominance, and drama. However, they missed their biggest-ever ODI win by just four runs, but still, what they achieved was nothing short of sensational in Brook’s captaincy debut.

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For the first time in the history of ODI cricket, all the top seven batters scored 30 or more runs, showing firepower and sheer class against the Men in Maroon at Edgbaston.

Historic day for England as seven batters score 30+

While Jamie Smith made 37 runs off 24 balls, Ben Duckett struck a brilliant fifty, scoring 60 runs off 48 balls to provide a flying start to the hosts. Then, Joe Root (57 runs off 65 balls) and Brook hit stunning fifties to make things worse for the tourists.

Coming at 5, former England captain Jos Buttler could manage only 37 runs off 32 balls despite coming from a stunning IPL 2025 season with the Gujarat Titans. The number six, Jacob Bethell, was the star of the show when it came to batting against the West Indies at Edgbaston.

The left-handed batter played a blistering knock of 82 runs off 53 balls, studded with eight boundaries and five sixes, while the number seven, Will Jacks, made 39 runs off 24 balls as England posted a mammoth 400/8 on the board in their 50 overs against the Caribbean side.

Read Also: Watch: Brydon Carse recreates Ben Stokes' stunning one-handed World Cup catch in ENG vs WI 1st ODI

Harry Brook equals world record with 5 catches in 1st ODI

Meanwhile, Harry Brook stole all the spotlight with his fire. The new captain was brilliant with the bat, but it was his electric fielding that stunned everyone in the first ODI. From just three catches across 26 ODIs, Brook exploded with five jaw-dropping catches in a single innings, equalling the world record held by the legendary South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes.

Now, Harry Brook and Jonty Rhodes share the record for the most catches (5) by a fielder in a single ODI innings. And if that wasn’t enough, every single English bowler chipped in with a wicket, proving this side is becoming a ruthless and all-round ODI team.

Jamie Overton and Saqib Mahmood shine with the ball

Saqib Mahmood (3/32 in 7 overs) and Jamie Overton (3/22 in 5.2 overs) were the standout bowlers for the England side with three-wicket hauls, while Adil Rashid (2/50) scalped two wickets against the West Indies.

Read Also: 'I had to ask Virat Kohli...': Jacob Bethell makes colossal revelation from his IPL stint with RCB

On the other hand, Brydon Carse and Jacob Bethell each scalped one wicket as the hosts bowled out West Indies for 162 in 26.2 overs to win the first ODI by 238 runs at Edgbaston.

The Harry Brook era begins with the whole top seven making 30, every bowler taking a wicket, and Brook himself equalling the world record for catches in an ODI innings. But England have missed breaking their record for biggest win by four runs, so still room for improvement

— Ben Gardner (@Ben_Wisden) May 29, 2025