Bar someone going on to reach three figures and beyond, Brook could not have asked much more of his rejigged top seven.
Jamie Smith, dropped on one, was aggressive for 37 in his first innings as a one-day opener. Duckett, arguably the world’s premier all-format opener, made 60. Root was typically unfussy for his 57.
Brook set the example for England’s move through the gears. The captain had 13 from 19 balls, then flicked the switch with two sixes and ended with 58 off 45. Jos Buttler, freed of the captaincy, hinted at his old self with 37 off 32.
It was Bethell who stole the show. Despite not playing in the Test against Zimbabwe last week, the 21-year-old was still in the headlines. In his first international on his home ground, the boy born in Barbados climbed into the West Indies attack with Caribbean flair.
Bethell had only 11 from 19 balls when he was hit on the helmet by Alzarri Joseph. It jolted him into fast-handed pull shots and dreamy off-drives. Four of his sixes were swatted over the leg side, the other slapped over mid-off.
With Will Jacks clubbing 39, including 22 off one Matthew Forde over, England’s seventh-wicket pair added 98 from 44 balls. Bethell fell short of his first senior century. But when it comes, plenty more will follow.
