Chris Woakes takes 5 as England thrash West Indies

Sydney, Feb 9: Seamer Chris Woakes geared up for the ICC World Cup with a five-wicket haul to help England demolish the West Indies by nine wickets in a warm-up match in Sydney today.

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Woakes took 5-19 in 7.3 overs of skilled swing bowling to dismiss the West Indies for a paltry 122 in 29.3 overs. England chased down the target for the loss of just one wicket in 22.5 overs.

File photo: Chris Woakes took 5/19 in 7.3 overs

Woakes dismissed dashing opener Chris Gayle off the third ball of the first over for a duck and off the very next ball had Darren Bravo, who also failed to score. He then dismissed Dwayne Smith (21) in his fourth over to leave the West Indies reeling on 35-3.

Lendl Simmons top-scored with 45 with four boundaries and a six before Woakes returned for his second spell to dismiss Simmons and Andre Russell to cap an impressive day. Fellow fast bowler Steven Finn took 2-34.

Opener Moeen Ali hit 46 off 43 balls with nine boundaries and put on 70 for the opening wicket with Ian Bell who made 35 not out. James Taylor made 25 not out and helped add 55 in an unbroken second-wicket stand.

The victory will give England much-needed confidence before their opening World Cup game against Australia in Melbourne on Saturday.

AFP