KING'S TON STEERS WEST INDIES TO ODI SERIES WIN OVER ENGLAND

Durban's Super Giants opener Brandon King was in imperious form for West Indies in the third and final ODI against England in Barbados last night.

King, who is set to make his Betway SA20 debut next year, struck 102 off 117 balls (13x4, 1x6) to spearhead the hosts to a convincing eight-wicket victory. It also sealed a 2-1 series for the hosts.

England's batters had struggled early on with the pace trio of Matthew Forde (3/35), Alzarri Joseph (2/45) and Romario Shepherd (2/33) restricting the visitors to 263/8.

Former Pretoria Capitals opener Phil Salt held the England innings together with 74 (108 balls) before former MI Cape Town duo Sam Curran and Jofra Archer produced late cameos of 40 and 38 not out respectively.

The total was, however, well below par on a good Kensington Oval surface.

King showed what a lovely night it was for batting as he began the Powerplay strongly against Archer with a couple of early boundaries before closing it off in style by bashing Reece Topley for two fours in three balls.

There was no respite for the English spinners too with King picking boundaries off Adil Rashid and Liam Livingstone.

England's chances of restricting the Windies dissipated when Keacy Carty joined King at the crease.

The pair shared a 209-run partnership - the highest for West Indies against England in the format - saw the Windies cruise home with Carty bringing up his maiden ODI century and finishing unbeaten on 128 not out.

“I had a fair number of starts but wasn't able to convert them. Fortunately I could do it today at a crucial game and I'm happy,” King said.

“Once you go through the initial phase, you have to believe in yourself and that it's your time.”