Chris Gayle's ODI return was predictably eye-catching, with the Jamaican dropped on nought, muscling three sixes and then caught for 37 from 27 deliveries.
But it also came in defeat as Jonny Bairstow's maiden ODI century saw England ease past Windies 204-9 with 11.1 overs to spare in a game reduced to 42 overs-a-side due to a wet outfield at Old Trafford.
Watch highlights of Gayle and Bairstow's knocks and the best of the rest of the action from the first ODI in the video above, as Windies hopes of qualifying automatically for the 2019 World Cup were extinguished.
Gayle, playing his first ODI since the 2015 World Cup after an ease in relations with his cricket board, should have departed third ball, only for Joe Root to shell his loose drive at second slip.
Root made up for that error, however, by taking a blinding running catch in the deep to oust Gayle in the ninth over - albeit after the opener had creamed Chris Woakes for one six and David Willey for two.
Ben Stokes picked up 3-43, including old foe Marlon Samuels (16) caught behind on review, before Jason Holder's unbeaten 41 lifted the Windies above 200 in the final over.
Alex Hales (19) looked in good touch as England made a bright start to their chase but the in-form opener was unable to push on, slapping the ball to Evin Lewis at backward point off Jerome Taylor.
Bairstow (100no from 97) and Joe Root (54) shared a second-wicket stand of 125, before Bairstow completed his century and Stokes sealed a comprehensive victory by hammering Ashley Nurse for six.
The result means Windies are now unable to qualify directly for the next World Cup in England - they needed to win the series 4-0 or 5-0 to overhaul eighth-placed Sri Lanka in the rankings.
Watch the second ODI, from Trent Bridge, live on Sky Sports Cricket (channel 404) from 12pm on Thursday.You can also follow over-by-over commentary and in-play clips on on our live blog.