England v West Indies, 2013-14

At North Sound, Antigua, March 5, 2014. England won by 25 runs. Toss: West Indies.

England clinched the series, thanks to a scintillating fifth-wicket partnership of 175 in 25 overs between Root and Buttler. But a shadow was cast over their victory: after 36 overs of the West Indian reply, the umpires changed the ball because of what referee Andy Pycroft later described as "unnatural deterioration". Broad was warned that England would incur a five-run penalty if the incident were repeated in the series. Since it was almost over anyway, the threat rang hollow. Even so, England's captain was indignant at the implication of ball-tampering. "I'm very confused as to why it was changed," he said, "and I made my feelings pretty clear out there as politely as possible."

The deterioration, he insisted, had been the result not of any skulduggery, but an abrasive pitch. Root's first one-day international century had been a triumph of courage after he was struck on the right thumb third ball by Rampaul; X-rays later revealed a bone broken in eight pieces. From 116 for four, he and Buttler - who was lucky to have a caught-behind decision overturned on 22, faced only 84 balls for his 99, and fell to a leading edge in the final over - set about taking England to their highest total in the Caribbean. West Indies slipped to 43 for four, with Root striking in the first over.

However, Ramdin found the replacement ball easier to hit, especially with England bowling too short, and cracked his first one-day international hundred, hitting five sixes and facing only 109 balls for his 128. England always had things under control - just about.
Man of the Match: J. E. Root. Man of the Series: J. E. Root.