Bridgetown: England's captain, Andrew Strauss, seized on an unexpected opportunity to haul his side level in their ODI series against West Indies, with the decider still to come in St Lucia April 03s,

Andrew Strauss gathered 79 from 61 balls to lead England to a nine-wicket victory under the Duckworth-Lewis Method over West Indies in the rain-affected fourth One-day International at Kensington Oval on Sunday.

Fortune and the D/L method again smiled on England, following a two-hour long delay for rain which left the tourists with a victory target of 135 from 20 overs.

The rain started during the interval between innings, after England sent West Indies in to bat and the home team made 239 for nine from 50 overs.

When play resumed, England were given a solid base of 108 off 87 balls from their captain Strauss and fellow opener Ravi Bopara.

Strauss reached his 50 from 41 balls, when he chipped Kieron Pollard into square leg for a single.

Brief Score: England 136/1 (Strauss 79*) beat West Indies 239/9 (Bravo 69, Mascarenhas 3-26) by nine wickets - D/L method.