West Indies Triumph in Rain-Adjusted First ODI with All-Round Brilliance
The West Indies displayed an impressive all-round performance to claim an 8-wicket victory over England in the rain-hit opening ODI of their three-match series in Antigua. After winning the toss and opting to bowl first, West Indies restricted England to a modest 209. Gudakesh Motie was the standout bowler, bagging four wickets, while Jayden Seales, Matthew Forde, and Alzarri Joseph each took two wickets, dismantling England’s batting lineup effectively. This collective bowling effort laid a solid foundation for West Indies as they sought to chase down a revised target due to rain.
With rain affecting play, England’s innings witnessed promising starts from their top-order batters but lacked the needed stability to anchor the innings. Liam Livingstone and Sam Curran put up some resistance with a 72-run partnership, helping England recover from early stumbles. However, England lost their last six wickets for just 44 runs, failing to complete their full 50 overs as Motie ran through the middle and lower order, ending with figures of 4-41. England’s total of 209 seemed well below par, especially after the revised target was set at 157 in 35 overs for West Indies.
Evin Lewis Shines with a Blistering 94 to Seal West Indies’ Win
Chasing 157 after a rain delay, Evin Lewis led West Indies’ charge with a blistering knock of 94 off 69 balls, ensuring a comfortable win with nearly 10 overs to spare. Lewis started aggressively, hitting sixes off England pacers John Turner and Jofra Archer early on. He reached his half-century off just 46 balls, striking five sixes along the way. Partnered by Brandon King, who made a useful 30, Lewis took West Indies to a strong 54/0 in the first powerplay and continued the momentum despite another rain delay.
The second rain interruption revised West Indies’ target but did little to slow down Lewis. He unleashed his power against Adil Rashid, hitting two boundaries and a six, helping his side pass the 100-run mark. Lewis and King’s partnership reached 118 before King fell to Liam Livingstone, but by then, the hosts had already gained control of the chase. Lewis’s innings, filled with eight sixes, ended when he was caught attempting to clear long-off, falling just six runs short of what could have been a well-deserved century.
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Keacy Carty stepped in to provide the finishing touches, scoring an unbeaten 19 as West Indies completed the chase in 25.5 overs, securing a lead in the series. This commanding performance in both departments underscored the hosts’ determination and set a high standard for the remainder of the series. With this emphatic win, West Indies have taken a 1-0 lead and will look to seal the series in the upcoming matches.
