West Indies vs England: Inexperienced tourists slump to defeat in first ODI

6 days ago

A revamped England team suffered a disappointing eight-wicket loss to the West Indies in the first one-day international in Antigua, which was impacted by rain.

England vs West Indies - Figure 1 — Photo Sky Sports

The visitors stumbled to 93-4 after being put in to bat, as their untested top order fell apart under the bowling of Jayden Seales (2-22). Debutant Jordan Cox (17) and Jacob Bethell (27) both got off to promising beginnings but couldn't convert them into bigger scores.

Gudakesh Motie was impressive, taking 4 wickets for 41 runs, as England was dismissed for a disappointing total of 209 runs in just 45.1 overs.

Twitter This content comes from Twitter, which might be using cookies and similar technologies. To display this content, we need your approval to use cookies. You can adjust your preferences using the buttons below to either enable Twitter cookies or allow them just for this session. You can update your settings anytime through the Privacy Options. Unfortunately, we cannot confirm whether you have agreed to the use of Twitter cookies. To see this content, you can click the button below to permit Twitter cookies for this session only.

Acting England captain Liam Livingstone scored 48 runs, playing a steady innings that helped the team regain their composure. He partnered with Sam Curran, who contributed 37 runs, together adding 72 runs to the score. However, after Livingstone was out, dismissed by spinner Motie, the team's situation deteriorated from 165-4.

Set a target of 210 to win, the home team launched an impressive response led by Evin Lewis, who scored 94, and Brandon King with 30. Together, they formed a solid opening partnership of 81 runs. Lewis reached his 11th half-century in ODIs before rain interrupted the game, leaving the West Indies at 81 without loss after 15 overs.

After establishing a new goal of 157 runs from 35 overs, Lewis led his team close to victory until he was out by Rashid, having struck eight sixes and five fours. This left Keacy Carty (who was not out on 19) and Shai Hope (also not out on 6) to finish the job.

England vs West Indies - Figure 2 — Photo Sky Sports

The West Indies take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, with the second ODI scheduled for Saturday, also in Antigua.

"Livingstone Shines, But Inexperienced England Struggles"

England's opening batsmen, Phil Salt (18) and Will Jacks (19), began their innings carefully, forming a partnership that added 35 runs.

The mood was optimistic for England, especially when Salt hit a stunning boundary off the third delivery of the innings bowled by Matthew Forde (2-48), sending the ball through the covers for four runs.

Nevertheless, an impressive catch by Alzarri Joseph, as he sprinted backward from the cover position, provided the West Indies with their first breakthrough after Salt skied a delivery from Seales. Just 14 balls later, Jack was out, mishitting a delivery from Seales that was caught by Motie at mid-on.

Cox and Bethell got off to respectable beginnings but both ended their innings on a low note. Cox mishit a slower delivery, resulting in him being caught by Carty in the deep at third man, while Bethell was dismissed after being caught at extra cover, both wickets falling to Forde.

Livingstone revitalized England's batting performance by hitting two sixes and got a second chance when Shimron Hetmyer dropped him while he was on 44. However, he couldn’t capitalize on that lucky break and was ultimately caught and bowled by Motie.

Motie made an impact by getting two players out in consecutive deliveries. First, he sent debutant Dan Mousley packing with a slog-sweep. Then, he dismissed Jamie Overton with an lbw on a sweep shot. Curran followed, becoming Motie's fourth wicket when he was caught at long-on by Hetmyer.

Adil Rashid scored 15 runs, hitting a few fours that helped his team exceed the 200-run mark. Meanwhile, Archer added seven runs before he top-edged a delivery from Joseph, leading to his dismissal by Hope behind the stumps.

England vs West Indies - Figure 3 — Photo Sky Sports

The West Indies fast bowler quickly took care of the lower order when Rashid was caught at mid-on, leaving John Turner (who was not out on 2) without support and 4.5 overs still to play.

West Indies Openers Display Exceptional Skill

At the beginning of the pursuit, the West Indies needed to score just over four runs per over. Their opening batsmen took full advantage of the powerplay, racing to a score of 46 without losing any wickets.

Lewis hit five sixes and one four while facing England's bowlers, bringing his total to 2,000 runs in One Day Internationals.

King scored three fours in his uneven innings of 42 balls and managed to avoid being dismissed after an England review when Rashid bowled a googly that hit him. The ball-tracking technology indicated that the delivery had hit outside the off stump before the game was interrupted by rain.

England secured the dismissal of King when he sent a shot off Livingstone to Jacks, who was positioned at deep square leg. Shortly after, Rashid claimed the important wicket of Lewis.

This content is offered by Twitter and may involve the use of cookies and similar technologies. To display this content, we require your permission to utilize cookies. You can adjust your preferences using the buttons below to either enable Twitter cookies or approve them for just this one-time session. You can update your settings whenever you wish through the Privacy Options. Unfortunately, we cannot confirm whether you have agreed to the use of Twitter cookies. If you would like to view this content, please click the button below to permit Twitter cookies for this session only.

Livingstone: England Struggled To Adapt

England's captain Liam Livingstone spoke during the presentation:

I suppose it's all about the pace of 50-over cricket. After being away for a couple of weeks, we're working to regain our momentum and get back into the flow.

"We understand that one of the top six needs to score significantly for us, but unfortunately, we fell short in that area today."

Fifty overs can feel like quite a stretch. Our aim is to keep the West Indies on their toes, and the dynamics can shift from one match to another. I believe we didn’t adjust as effectively as we could. The West Indies managed to take wickets at key moments throughout the game.

"Jofra Archer made a strong impression with the fresh ball, and John Turner also appeared to be performing well."

Hope: We Aimed For Quick Wickets

West Indies skipper Shai Hope, during the awards ceremony:

"We consistently ask our opening bowlers to establish the mood of the game and take wickets early, and that's exactly what they accomplished today."

"We maintained a much higher level of consistency, and discipline has been crucial for us. It's important that we remain patient and stick to our routines as much as possible."

"It's great to witness Lewis and King starting off strong at the crease."