This was the first international game played in front of a swish new £15 million hotel overlooking Old Trafford, where guests can take in the action from the comfort of their balcony. They were given the chance of an early night yesterday as Jonny Bairstow booked himself into the berth as Alex Hales’s opening partner for a run of games, his first one-day international hundred guiding England to the most straightforward of victories with a whopping 67 balls to spare. Chasing West Indies’ meagre total of 204 for nine in a game reduced to 42 overs per side, Bairstow saw England home after sharing a second-wicket stand of 125 with Joe Root. This was only the second time Bairstow has opened the innings in a…

Source: The Times September 19, 2017 21:11 UTC