Cricket World Cup: Joe Root hits unbeaten century as England beat West Indies by eight wickets
Joe Root hit a century and took two wickets as England made light of losing skipper Eoin Morgan and opener Jason Roy to injury with a comprehensive eight-wicket win over the West Indies.
West Indies 212 (44.4 overs): Pooran 63, Wood 3-18, Archer 3-30
England 213-2 (33.1 overs): Root 100*, Bairstow 45, Gabriel 2-49
England win by eight wickets
Report
Root was a surprise wicket-taker as he got two out caught-and-bowled to help reduce the Windies to just 212 all out from their 50 overs, before hitting a superb unbeaten 100, his second ton of the competition, to guide them to 213-2 and a comfortable win.
With Roy out injured, Root walked out with Jonny Bairstow to open the England response, and batted in classic Root style as he had all the time in the world to coast to three figures as his side coasted to victory.
Root and Bairstow put on 95 for the first wicket before Bairstow fell for 45, and Chris Woakes was elevated to number three and hit a nice 40 to fire England towards the finish line.
Yorkshireman Root has often shown that batting comes all too easy to him at times, and with the Windies falling miles short of a testing total, Root was never troubled as he oozed class in his 94-ball century helping England to their modest target in just 33.1 overs.
Injuries the only down side for England
Skipper Morgan trudged off forlornly after pulling up in what initially appeared an innocuous run to the stumps when backing up.
The 32-year-old immediately left the field with what was later confirmed to be a back spasm, while Roy suffered a hamstring complaint.
Jofra Archer spearheaded England's charge against the country of his birth, tearing into a host of former age-grade team-mates.
The 24-year-old quick bagged three for 30 from nine overs as England took control at the Hampshire Bowl.
Jos Buttler assumed the captaincy with Morgan off the field, and the big-hitting Lancashire star would also be a strong contender to open the batting in Roy's absence.
Roy did not field for the remainder of England's innings after suffering his own injury issue, and England opted to push him down from the top of their batting order to number seven.
That left the tournament hosts and favourites needing a new opener, with Buttler and Joe Root the top candidates.
At the interval England released a medical update on Morgan, revealing that the skipper had suffered a back spasm.
Having been off the field for 28 minutes he would not be able to bat for the same amount of time in the England innings. There was no indication that he would not be fit to do so.
England will hope for good news on both, with any extended break for either man likely forcing the management into a call-up.
As well as Archer's impressive figures, Mark Wood claimed three for 18 as England capitalised on winning the toss and bowling first.
The West Indies lost their last four wickets for 10 runs in five overs, winding up all out in the 45th over.
Barbados-born to a Liverpudlian father, Archer entered the tie under the scrutiny of taking on a host of friends and acquaintances.
Head coach Floyd Reifer insisted facing Archer's pace would be "nothing new" for the West Indies, but they were unable to handle his express seaming.
Archer dismissed Nicholas Pooran and Sheldon Cottrell with consecutive balls, but could not claim a hat-trick.
Root took two key wickets with a neat cameo too, leaving England in charge at the interval.
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