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Home » Live Cricket Score » England in West Indies, 5 ODI Series, 2019 » Summary

West Indies vs England Live Cricket Score, 1st ODI, England in West Indies, 5 ODI Series, 2019, February 20, 2019

WI 360/8 (50)
England beat West Indies by 6 wickets
ENG 364/4 (48.4)
Match over
Commentary :
0.0 : The Tests are done which went surprisingly in favour of the Men from the Caribbean. Time for the ODIs now where probably, 5 months in advance, we might be seeing this team as a World Cup finalist. England. The side which rejuvenated themselves after a torrid 2015 World Cup. England. The only team to successfully give every other side a headache home and away. Yes, England. Out to extend their dominance in this format. But what about the Windies? Try typing Jason Holder and translate it in Google
Normally, you don't see too many day-night games in the Caribbean. But since the last year, that frequency has increased with many matches now being held under floodlights. Coming to England, they are on a winning streak of 9 ODI bilateral series, consisting of a minimum of 2 matches. In terms of the games, they have lost just 3 out of their last 14 completed ODIs. Windies, on the other hand, have not won a bilateral ODI series since 2014 and come out victorious in just 3 out of their last 12 co
'World Cup Year' is what 2019 is being touted as. With India and England as the front-runners to play the final, what do the other teams need to do to make the world take notice? Win, of course! But it isn't that easy, is it? Australia struggled against India. So did New Zealand. And on paper, Windies look to be facing the same destiny. Hopefully, we get a good contest irrespective of who wins.
WEATHER REPORT - It looks bright and sunny as of now but there are showers forecast later in the evening.
TOSS TIME. The team looking for inspiration against an inspired team has got a good chance to make the first use of a good batting wicket, which could slow down as the game progresses. In other words, WINDIES HAVE WON THE TOSS AND ELECTED TO BAT FIRST.
TEAM NEWS - A big blow to the hosts first up. KEMAR ROACH has been ruled out of the first two ODIs with a back injury. Do they have others who can fill his absence? The big name features in the form of the Universe Boss - Christopher Henry Gayle. John Campbell and Nicolas Pooran get their ODI caps.
Coming to the visitors, they look in fine shape as far as fitness is concerned. Pretty much the expected XI though one might expect Alex Hales to feature in the playing XI at some point of time.
The players make their way out to the field. Chris Gayle follows the Englishmen, for the last time in an ODI series in the Caribbean, with the great man announcing his retirement from this format post the World Cup. One of the debutants, John Campbell, is his partner. Chris Woakes has the first new ball in his hand. Gayle to face, two slips in place. Let's play!
0.1 : C Woakes to C Gayle, Targets the top of off stump, gets the ball to move away a bit. Gayle watchfully shoulders arms.
0.2 : C Woakes to C Gayle, Full and around middle, pushed towards mid-wicket.
0.3 : C Woakes to C Gayle, Down the leg side, Chris misses his flick and is hit on the thighs. A leg bye taken.
0.4 : C Woakes to J Campbell, Landed outside off, Campbell takes his bat away.
0.5 : C Woakes to J Campbell, Short and outside off, cut straight to point.
0.6 : C Woakes to J Campbell, FOUR! MAJESTIC! That is a super shot to get your one-day career underway. Full and outside off, Campbell takes half a stride forward and just drives this down the ground. The shot does not have too much power but has plenty of timing. The fielder at mid off dives to his left but in vain!
Mark Wood to bowl with the second new ball. His pace is what England will be keen to look at.
1.1 : M Wood to C Gayle, On a good length, around middle, Gayle shoulders arms and is hit high on the thighs. A mild LBW appeal ensues...
1.2 : M Wood to C Gayle, Outside off, left alone.
1.3 : M Wood to C Gayle, That is hit on the box. Back of a length, around middle, Chris looks to defend but misses and is hit on the box. Ouch.
1.4 : M Wood to C Gayle, WIDE. A short ball, around off, kicks off after pitching, the Universe Boss lets it sail through. Wided.
M Wood to C Gayle, Around middle and leg, CG looks to flick but misses and gets hit on the pads. The ball deflects away and the batsmen take a single.
1.5 : M Wood to J Campbell, Lovely shot. On a length, around middle, Campbell works it beautifully through square leg and comes back for the second.
1.6 : M Wood to J Campbell, On a good length, around off, John looks to tuck it to the leg side but misses and is hit on the pads.
2.1 : C Woakes to C Gayle, On a good length around off, moving away, Gayle is squared up as he looks to defend but he squirts it behind point for a single.
2.2 : C Woakes to J Campbell, Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a run.
2.3 : C Woakes to C Gayle, Has a waft at that one and misses.
2.4 : C Woakes to C Gayle, Outside off, steered towards third man for one.
2.5 : C Woakes to J Campbell, INSIDE EDGE, FOUR! Woakes has his hands on his head. Nearly got through the debutant. A length ball around off, Campbell looks to defend but gets his bat down late and is still not able to counter the late inward movement. Gets an inside edge which just escapes the leg stump. Fine leg is inside, the ball goes outside.
2.6 : C Woakes to J Campbell, Works it down the leg side for a run.
3.1 : M Wood to J Campbell, Landed outside off, left alone.
3.2 : M Wood to J Campbell, A big booming inswinger, curving in on middle, Campbell just about gets his bat down in time to push the ball towards mid on for a quick single.
3.3 : M Wood to C Gayle, Around middle, solidly defended.
3.4 : M Wood to C Gayle, Landed outside off, Gayle throws his bat at it but gets a thick outside edge. Does not carry to Jos Buttler behind.
3.5 : M Wood to C Gayle, Around off, pushed towards the off side.
3.6 : M Wood to C Gayle, Landed outside off, left alone watchfully.
Babstheobserver - 'Just 4 overs into the game and they have already resorted to cutters? What sort of a pitch is this?' @Babstheobserver - Yup. A pitch on the slower side...
4.1 : C Woakes to J Campbell, First real serious LBW appeal. Turned down. Too high. On a good length around middle, Campbell misses his tuck and is hit on the pads.
4.2 : C Woakes to J Campbell, On middle and leg, worked towards mid-wicket.
4.3 : C Woakes to J Campbell, EDGED, FOUR! Not too much control but plenty of intent. We saw that during the Test series as well. A length ball, outside off, not that wide but Campbell throws his bat at it. Gets a thick outside edge which flies over the slip cordon to the third man fence.
4.4 : C Woakes to J Campbell, Mix-up, but safe. On middle and leg, John works it towards the leg side and sets off for a single. Only to find his partner the least bit interested. JC has to return and Eoin Morgan quickly gets to the ball and fires a throw at the striker's end. Misses but would not have mattered even if he had hit. Campbell was in. Tell you what would have mattered. Jason Roy's dive. He came in from backward point to his left but overran the throw. Luckily for him, he slipped whil
4.5 : C Woakes to J Campbell, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
4.6 : C Woakes to J Campbell, FOUR! MARVELLOUS! This bloke is looking in excellent touch. Full and around off, Campbell drives it straight back down the ground. No stopping that!
5.1 : M Wood to C Gayle, Around off, defended from the crease.
5.2 : M Wood to C Gayle, Goes right back and blocks it out again.
5.3 : M Wood to C Gayle, A short ball now, pulled through mid-wicket for a single.
5.4 : M Wood to J Campbell, Landed outside off, steered towards third man for a run. Nothing from the surface for the bowlers so far.
5.5 : M Wood to C Gayle, On a good length outside off, Gayle feels for it but the ball straightens a touch and beats the outside edge.
5.6 : M Wood to C Gayle, The batsman defends it from within the crease.
6.1 : C Woakes to J Campbell, Around middle and leg, worked towards short mid-wicket.
6.2 : C Woakes to J Campbell, Fuller in length, stays low slightly, Campbell looks to punch but gets a bottom edge towards point.
6.3 : C Woakes to J Campbell, Waits for this one to come to him and steers it towards third man for a single.
6.4 : C Woakes to C Gayle, On a good length around off, dabbed behind point for a run.
6.5 : C Woakes to J Campbell, IT IS A SIX! But not from the bat of the Universe Boss. From the willow of someone who is keen to make an impression. A length ball, around middle and leg, Campbell moves slightly to his right and swings it with the breeze over deep mid-wicket! The first maximum of the game.
6.6 : C Woakes to J Campbell, Outside off, played straight to point.
7.1 : M Wood to C Gayle, First real aggressive shot from Gayle. A length ball, around off, the Universe Boss swings hard but connects with thin air.
7.2 : M Wood to C Gayle, LEADING EDGE, NO ONE TO TAKE IT! First close moment for Gayle in this game. The cutter from Wood, landing on a good length around middle, holding off the deck, CG is early into his flick and gets a leading edge. Luckily for him, the ball beats Eoin Morgan's backtrack from cover. A single taken.
7.3 : M Wood to J Campbell, TOP EDGE NOW, SAFE AGAIN! On another day, Mark Wood would have been on a hat-trick. Again the cutter, this time Campbell is the man foxed. Looks to flick but is early and gets a top edge. The ball balloons to the leg side but Wood cannot get to it.
7.4 : M Wood to J Campbell, Full and around off, watchfully defended.
7.5 : M Wood to J Campbell, Outside off, dabbed to third man for a run.
7.6 : M Wood to C Gayle, Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off.
8.1 : C Woakes to J Campbell, A low full toss, around middle and leg, Campbell looks to flick but is not able to get enough bat on it. Miscues it towards mid on.
8.2 : C Woakes to J Campbell, A fraction too short, John looks to pull but the ball holds off the surface and he mistimes it towards mid on.
8.3 : C Woakes to J Campbell, OUT! Straight to the man! Woakes gets the first breakthrough. It is not a good ball in terms of length but not a bad ball either in terms of plan. The English bowlers have quickly sized up this pitch, understanding that they are not going to get wickets off the pitch. Hence, they are playing with the batsman's patience. And that is one thing which the Windies rarely possess. Campbell was looking to tee off but now, he is going off the ground. A short ball, around off
Shai Hope walks in at number 3, replacing Campbell.
8.4 : C Woakes to S Hope, Around middle, worked to the leg side for a single to straightaway get off the mark.
8.5 : C Woakes to C Gayle, Outside off, pushed towards cover for a quick run.
8.6 : C Woakes to S Hope, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. 2 runs and a wicket from the over, Woakes' figures read 5-0-30-1.
9.1 : M Wood to C Gayle, Around off, defended from the crease.
9.2 : M Wood to C Gayle, Outside off, steered towards third man for a single.
9.3 : M Wood to S Hope, FOUR! PRISTINE! Full on middle, Hope comes forward and drives this straight down the ground, beating mid on!
9.4 : M Wood to S Hope, FOUR! Ho ho ho! Delightful stroke! Full and around middle, Hope whips it uppishly and almost clears the fence at mid-wicket! One bounce and into the ropes.
9.5 : M Wood to S Hope, The batsman defends it from within the crease.
9.6 : M Wood to S Hope, Outside off, pushed towards point. 49/1 in Powerplay 1. Decent score for both sides.
POWERPLAY 2 time. 4 fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle till the 40th over. Spin time too. Moeen Ali introduced.
10.1 : M Ali to C Gayle, 50 UP FOR THE WINDIES. In the 11th over. Gayle still in the middle. Full and on middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.
10.2 : M Ali to S Hope, Landed outside off, Hope comes forward to defend but the ball drifts away slightly, takes the outside edge, goes past the keeper and short third man mops it up. A quick run taken.
10.3 : M Ali to C Gayle, Full and around middle, pushed back to the bowler.
10.4 : M Ali to C Gayle, Action replay of the previous delivery.
10.5 : M Ali to C Gayle, Landed outside off, going straight on, Gayle looks to defend but is beaten due to the extra bounce.
10.6 : M Ali to C Gayle, Around off, pushed towards cover.
Double bowling change for England. Liam Plunkett into the attack.
11.1 : L Plunkett to S Hope, Full and outside off, eased through the covers for a single.
11.2 : L Plunkett to C Gayle, Yorker around middle, dug out towards cover.
11.3 : L Plunkett to C Gayle, TOP EDGE, BUT PUT DOWN! Oh dear... now England, now England, what have you done? Let off a man who was forcibly quiet? Beware of a storm now. A short ball, around off, Gayle looks to pull but is a touch too early into the shot. Gets a top edge which goes high in the air. Two fielders go after it - Jason Roy from point and Eoin Morgan at cover. Both keep their eyes on the ball. But at the last moment, Roy takes a peek at his skipper and loses sight of the ball. Has to
11.4 : L Plunkett to S Hope, WIDE. Way down the leg side, left alone.
L Plunkett to S Hope, Full and wide outside off, driven through the covers for a couple.
11.5 : L Plunkett to S Hope, Played to the point region by the batsman.
11.6 : L Plunkett to S Hope, FOUR! Fine way to end the over! Full and wide outside off, Hope reaches out and drives it behind point for a boundary!
12.1 : M Ali to C Gayle, Full and around off, watchfully defended.
12.2 : M Ali to C Gayle, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. They pick up a single.
12.3 : M Ali to S Hope, Around middle and leg, worked straight to short mid-wicket.
12.4 : M Ali to S Hope, Full and around middle, pushed toards the bowler.
12.5 : M Ali to S Hope, Gets across and looks to flick but gets a thick inside edge onto the pads which almost lobs back to the bowler.
12.6 : M Ali to S Hope, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.
13.1 : L Plunkett to S Hope, Landed outside off, pushed towards point.
13.2 : L Plunkett to S Hope, Outside off, pushed towards point.
13.3 : L Plunkett to S Hope, Bowled at 127 kph, outside off, Hope shoulders arms. The ball carries to Jos Buttler at shin height.
13.4 : L Plunkett to S Hope, MISFIELD, FOUR! Plunkett does not need that. A dropped catch in his previous over and now another poor effort. A short ball outside off, Hope comes down the track and plays a tennis forehand shot. Mistimes it through mid off where Ben Stokes puts in a lumbering drive but misses. He tries getting up and chasing it down but is too late.
13.5 : L Plunkett to S Hope, The batsman works it down the leg side. The batsmen have run through for a single.
13.6 : L Plunkett to C Gayle, Outside off, dabbed towards third man for a run. Gayle so far - 12 singles, 24 dots.
14.1 : M Ali to C Gayle, SIX! MOST SIXES IN INTERNATIONAL CRICKET - 477! No wonder he has got the name, the Universe Boss.
14.2 : M Ali to C Gayle, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. Spirited effort by the fielder to save runs for his team.
14.3 : M Ali to C Gayle, Comes down the track and pushes it back to the bowler.
14.4 : M Ali to C Gayle, Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
14.5 : M Ali to C Gayle, Played to the point region by the batsman.
14.6 : M Ali to C Gayle, Around middle, worked to the leg side.
15.1 : L Plunkett to S Hope, Around middle, helped off his pads through square leg for a single.
15.2 : L Plunkett to C Gayle, A short ball, around off, Gayle sways away.
15.3 : L Plunkett to C Gayle, The batsman defends it from within the crease.
15.4 : L Plunkett to C Gayle, Dropped short, pulled away for a run.
15.5 : L Plunkett to S Hope, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
15.6 : L Plunkett to S Hope, Around middle, worked wide of deep mid-wicket. Should be two but only one taken. Poor running.
16.1 : M Ali to S Hope, Outside off, punched down to long on for a single.
16.2 : M Ali to C Gayle, Comes down the track but defends.
16.3 : M Ali to C Gayle, Pushes this through the covers for a run.
16.4 : M Ali to S Hope, Comes down the track and works it through mid on for one.
16.5 : M Ali to C Gayle, Landed outside off, Gayle looks to push but then takes his bat away.
16.6 : M Ali to C Gayle, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
DRINKS BREAK. The feel good factor is spreading to the ODIs too, for the Windies. England have adjusted well to the slow pitch but the batsmen have done even better to select their stroke-making on this slow pitch. Clearly, they have a plan to keep wickets in hand for the final burst at the end. Crucially, Gayle has been dropped on 9. Slowly, but surely, he will be keen to remind Jason Roy about that...
17.1 : L Plunkett to S Hope, Around middle and off, worked through square leg for a single.
17.2 : L Plunkett to C Gayle, Outside off, pushed to the off side for a run.
17.3 : L Plunkett to S Hope, And Mark Wood is down. Outside off, Hope punches this through point for a single but before the ball can be released, Wood loses his footing and slips. Gets up fine though.
17.4 : L Plunkett to C Gayle, The batsman works it down the leg side. One run added to the total.
17.5 : L Plunkett to S Hope, Around off, pushed towards point.
17.6 : L Plunkett to S Hope, Full and around off, driven towards mid on for an easy run.
18.1 : M Ali to S Hope, Landed outside off, Hope looks to punch but the ball spins in a mile and cramps him for room. Mistimes his punch back to the bowler.
18.2 : M Ali to S Hope, SIX! Going, going and gone! Tossed up outside off, Hope comes down the track and sends it sailing over long on. The ball hits the roof and goes beyond! The 50-run stand is up too!
Well, we have lost the ball. A replacement one comes in.
18.3 : M Ali to S Hope, FOUR! 10 from this over already! Dropped short and outside off, Shai goes back and cuts it past a diving Mark Wood at short third man to find the fence!
18.4 : M Ali to S Hope, Outside off, punched down to long on for a run.
18.5 : M Ali to C Gayle, Full and outside off, driven towards long off for one.
18.6 : M Ali to S Hope, Goes back and works it through mid-wicket for another single. 13 from the over!
Ben Stokes into the attack now. No signs of Adil Rashid yet.
19.1 : Ben Stokes to S Hope, Full on middle, worked through mid-wicket but straight to the fielder.
19.2 : Ben Stokes to S Hope, Outside off, punched beautifully through the covers for a single.
19.3 : Ben Stokes to C Gayle, Outside off, steered towards third man for a run to bring up the Windies' 100.
19.4 : Ben Stokes to S Hope, Landed outside off, Hope looks to defend but the ball goes away to beat the outside edge.
19.5 : Ben Stokes to S Hope, Landed outside off, steered towards third man for a single.
19.6 : Ben Stokes to C Gayle, A short ball, pulled through mid-wicket for a couple.
20.1 : M Ali to S Hope, Full on middle and leg, Hope drives it through mid on for a run.
20.2 : M Ali to C Gayle, SIX! HAMMERED AWAY! Floated on middle, Gayle comes down the track and lofts this over wide long on for a biggie.
An appeal for a stumping has been taken upstairs. Gayle is the man in question but there seems to be no excitement.
20.3 : M Ali to C Gayle, NOT OUT! Chris Gayle is safe. Tossed up outside off, Gayle comes down the track and looks to push but misses it and gets stumped. He loses his balance a bit but tries to get back in time. The keeper whips the bails off in a flash. It is referred upstairs and the replays show that his foot came back in time.
20.4 : M Ali to C Gayle, This is flatter and a bit shorter, Gayle this time stays back and punches it through covers for a run.
20.5 : M Ali to S Hope, Quicker and it is bowled outside off, Hope stays rooted to his crease and defends it to covers.
20.6 : M Ali to S Hope, Easily works it through mid-wicket and gets to the other end. Good over for the Windies, 9 from it. The partnership is going along smoothly. It is 74 from 75.
21.1 : Ben Stokes to S Hope, Length delivery on middle, Hope flicks it towards square leg for a run.
21.2 : Ben Stokes to C Gayle, Short of a length delivery, Gayle looks to pull but mistimes it to mid-wicket.
21.3 : Ben Stokes to C Gayle, Bowls a bouncer, Gayle does well to evade it.
21.4 : Ben Stokes to C Gayle, Good length delivery on middle, the left-hander defends off the back foot.
21.5 : Ben Stokes to C Gayle, Length delivery on off, Chris plays it to point.
21.6 : Ben Stokes to C Gayle, Again on a length on off, Gayle plays it towards third man for a run.
22.1 : M Ali to C Gayle, Short and outside off, Gayle looks to cut but gets a bottom edge on this one.
22.2 : M Ali to C Gayle, Length delivery on off, Gayle taps it to point.
22.3 : M Ali to C Gayle, FOUR! Nice shot. Flighted delivery on middle and leg, Gayle plays a slog sweep over mid-wicket where Bairstow tries to go for the catch but it goes wide of him. It was racing away to the boundary.
22.4 : M Ali to C Gayle, Length delivery on off, Gayle plays it towards covers for a run.
22.5 : M Ali to S Hope, Length delivery on middle, Hope flicks it to mid-wicket.
22.6 : M Ali to S Hope, Good length delivery on off, Shai defends off the back foot.
23.1 : Ben Stokes to C Gayle, Gayle makes room but Stokes follows him with the short ball. He still manages to pull it but straight to the fine leg fielder Only a run.
23.2 : Ben Stokes to S Hope, On the pads, Hope looks to flick but gets an inside edge onto his pads. The ball rolls towards square leg for a run.
23.3 : Ben Stokes to C Gayle, Smart bowling! Goes full, almost a yorker. Gayle though is upto the mark as he jams it out. Good sudden change of length there but equally well played by Gayle.
23.4 : Ben Stokes to C Gayle, Good fielding! Slower ball and Gayle punches it to the right of Stokes. He stretches his hand out and makes a half-stop. Saves at least two for his side.
23.5 : Ben Stokes to C Gayle, On the shorter side and it is the bumper, Gayle pulls it down to fine leg and changes ends.
23.6 : Ben Stokes to S Hope, Another bumper outside off, Hope thinks of pulling it but then bails out of the shot.
24.1 : M Ali to C Gayle, Tossed up on off, Gayle looks to go for the big shot but controls his slog and plays it through mid-wicket. The batsmen pick up a couple.
24.2 : M Ali to S Hope, Full on middle, Hope drives it towards mid on for a single.
24.3 : M Ali to C Gayle, Floated on off, Chris plays it towards covers for a run.
24.4 : M Ali to S Hope, 50 for Shai Hope. 8th fifty for him. Fine innings from him. Floated on middle, Hope flicks it towards square leg for a run. It has been a positive innings from him. It is his fastest fifty which has come just off 48 balls.
24.5 : M Ali to C Gayle, SIX! POWERFUL SHOT! Flighted delivery on middle, Gayle plays a slog sweep over mid-wicket for a biggie. From the time, it left the bat it was going into the stands.
24.6 : M Ali to C Gayle, Tossed up on middle and leg, Gayle pushes it towards fine leg for a single.
25.1 : Ben Stokes to S Hope, On the fuller side, Hope strokes it through covers for a run.
25.2 : Ben Stokes to C Gayle, Slower and shorter on off, Gayle guides it to point.
25.3 : Ben Stokes to C Gayle, FOUR! Fifty for Gayle now! 50th ODI half ton for him. Also consecutive ones as he scored one in the last ODI he played against Bangladesh in 2018 and now scores one here. Also, he is making England pay for the life they gave him. He started off very slowly but now is getting into his own. He also gets there in style. Opens the face of the blade at the very last moment and guides it fine on the off side for a boundary. The crowd is up to applaud his effort. Windies wo
25.4 : Ben Stokes to C Gayle, Does the smart thing now, follows the boundary with a single by working it towards square leg.
25.5 : Ben Stokes to S Hope, Shortish and outside off, Hope throws his bat at it but ends up chopping it to point.
25.6 : Ben Stokes to S Hope, Short and on the hips, it is pulled to the man at deep backward square leg for a single.
Liam Plunkett is back into the attack.
26.1 : L Plunkett to S Hope, Short and outside off, Hope cuts it through point for just a single.
26.2 : L Plunkett to C Gayle, SIX! WHACKED AWAY! Length delivery on middle and leg, Gayle lofts this over mid-wicket for a biggie. He is looking good after reaching his fifty.
26.3 : L Plunkett to C Gayle, WIDE! Bowls a bouncer down leg, Gayle comes forward and does well to duck under it.
L Plunkett to C Gayle, SIX! THAT IS OUT OF THE GROUND! Second six of the over. Bowls a leg cutter on middle and leg, Gayle lofts this over mid-wicket for a biggie.
The bag of balls is out once again as another one is hit out of the stadium. If Gayle stays out there, all the balls in that bag maybe used.
26.4 : L Plunkett to C Gayle, Full and outside off, Gayle makes room and drives it through covers for a single.
26.5 : L Plunkett to S Hope, Length delivery on off, Hope cuts it towards point where the fielder dives and does well to stop it. It is a brilliant stop from the fielder.
26.6 : L Plunkett to S Hope, On off, Shai plays it to point.
27.1 : Ben Stokes to C Gayle, Just ahead of a shorter length, it skids through after pitching. Gayle goes to pull but misses. He is going after everything now.
27.2 : Ben Stokes to C Gayle, Almost plays it on! Another short ball, Gayle looks to pull but the ball does not bounce as he anticipates it to. It goes off the under edge and on the bounce to the keeper.
27.3 : Ben Stokes to C Gayle, Slower yorker, Gayle may have been expecting it as his weight is on the front foot. He jams it out.
27.4 : Ben Stokes to C Gayle, Another slower one on the pads, it is worked around the corner for a run.
27.5 : Ben Stokes to S Hope, Down the leg side, Hope looks to flick but misses. The umpire does not signal it as a wide as he feels it has brushed the pads.
27.6 : Ben Stokes to S Hope, On the shorter side, it is punched through covers for a single. A good tight over this, a much-needed one for Windies.
Mark Wood is back into the attack.
28.1 : M Wood to S Hope, Length delivery on middle, Hope flicks it over short mid-wicket. The fielder jumps to catch it but it goes over him. The batsmen take a run.
28.2 : M Wood to C Gayle, WIDE! Bowls full and wide outside off, Gayle lets it go.
M Wood to C Gayle, WIDE! Second consecutive wide from Mark Wood. Full and wide outside off again, Chris leaves it alone.
M Wood to C Gayle, Length delivery on middle and leg, Gayle looks to heave it but it goes off the under edge towards mid-wicket. The batsmen take a run.
28.3 : M Wood to S Hope, Good length delivery on middle, Hope defends off the back foot.
28.4 : M Wood to S Hope, Again on a good length on off, Hope keeps it out.
28.5 : M Wood to S Hope, FOUR! Nicely played by Shai Hope. Short of a length delivery, Hope pulls it over square leg for a boundary.
28.6 : M Wood to S Hope, Length delivery on off, Hope plays it towards third man for a single. Another good over for the Windies. 9 runs came from it.
29.1 : Ben Stokes to S Hope, Slower and shorter outside off, Hope guides it to point.
29.2 : Ben Stokes to S Hope, Outside off again, Hope guides it right off the middle but finds the man at point.
29.3 : Ben Stokes to S Hope, FOUR! Up and over! Mid off is up and Hope picks his spot to perfection. Full and on off, Hope lofts it over the mid off fielder for a one bounce boundary.
29.4 : Ben Stokes to S Hope, OUT! In the air... taken! Stokes provides the much, much-needed breakthrough. A well-deserved wicket for him and he is pumped up. Length and around off, this one straightens a touch. Hope looks to whip it through the leg side with the angle but due to the slight movement, it takes the leading edge and goes towards third man. Rashid there takes a nice catch. Hope walks back dejected, he is finally dismissed after unbeaten scores of 146 and 108. However, his 131-run sta
Shimron Hetmyer is the new batsman in.
29.5 : Ben Stokes to S Hetmyer, Back of a length and on off, kept out.
29.6 : Ben Stokes to S Hetmyer, Wide! Too short and outside off, Hetmyer clears his front leg but then lets it go. Wided.
Ben Stokes to S Hetmyer, FOUR! What a shot to get off the mark! It was risky but that is how he plays. Clears his front leg and gets a full ball. Hits it over mid off. It is not right off the middle but a lazy effort from the fielder there means it is a boundary. So the intent is clear by the Windies batsmen today.
30.1 : M Wood to C Gayle, Full and outside off, Gayle plays it towards mid off.
30.2 : M Wood to C Gayle, Full again on off, Gayle drives it to covers.
30.3 : M Wood to C Gayle, NO BALL! SIX! HAMMERED AWAY! Bowls a high full toss outside off, Gayle smashes it straight past the bowler over mid off for a biggie. Umpire gives it as a no ball for height. The next ball will be a Free Hit.
M Wood to C Gayle, SIX! Consecutive sixes for Chris Gayle. Short of a length delivery, Gayle pulls it over mid-wicket for a biggie.
30.4 : M Wood to C Gayle, WIDE! Full and outside off, Gayle leaves it alone. The keeper gets an awkward bounce but Buttler does well to get his body behind. The batsmen take a run.
M Wood to S Hetmyer, SIX! Amazing shot from Shimron. Length delivery on middle, Hetmyer lofts this over long on for a biggie.
30.5 : M Wood to S Hetmyer, Full on middle and leg, Hetmyer drives it towards mid on for a run.
30.6 : M Wood to C Gayle, Good length delivery outside off, Gayle looks to slog but misses it. Expensive over from England. 22 runs came from it.
Drinks! Windies are in control here. Yes, they have lost Hope but Hetmyer too has come all guns blazing and has raced onto 11 runs from 4 balls. However, Gayle holds the key, he is watching the ball really well and hitting it at will. England on the other hand, need wickets, if they don't get them soon, they will be staring down a huge total. Also, Liam Plunkett is back on.
31.1 : L Plunkett to S Hetmyer, Bowls a short delivery, Hetmyer nudges it towards the leg side for a run.
31.2 : L Plunkett to C Gayle, Good length delivery outside off, Gayle looks to cut but misses it due to the movement on this one. It goes to Buttler who again fumbles. This is very sloppy from him. The batsmen take a run. Umpire gives it as a bye.
31.3 : L Plunkett to S Hetmyer, WIDE! Bowls it down the leg side, Shimron leaves it alone.
L Plunkett to S Hetmyer, Short of a length delivery, Hetmyer pulls it to mid on where it fell just short of Moeen Ali.
31.4 : L Plunkett to S Hetmyer, Short delivery, Hetmyer pulls it towards mid-wicket for a run.
31.5 : L Plunkett to C Gayle, WIDE! Bowls a bouncer, Gayle does well to duck under it. Umpire gives it for height.
L Plunkett to C Gayle, SIX! What a shot. Short delivery, Gayle pulls it over mid-wicket for a biggie. He is dealing in sixes after his fifty.
31.6 : L Plunkett to C Gayle, SIX! TOP EDGE AND SAFE! It is his day today. Length delivery on off, Gayle looks to go for the lofted shot but gets a top edge. It goes over third man for a biggie. Chris Gayle moves to the 90s. Another big over for Windies. 17 runs have come from it. England are leaking runs here.
Chris Woakes is back on now.
32.1 : C Woakes to S Hetmyer, Bowls a yorker, that is where England need to be especially at the moment. Only a run as it is hit down to long on.
32.2 : C Woakes to C Gayle, Slower, short and way outside off, Gayle reaches out for it, it goes off the bottom part towards cover for a run. A hit away now is Gayle from a ton.
32.3 : C Woakes to S Hetmyer, Wide outside off, it is just inside the tramline. Left alone.
Hetmyer has been given out caught behind but he reviews immediately. Well, there just may not be an edge there.
32.4 : C Woakes to S Hetmyer, NOT OUT! And there is no edge as Ultra Edge shows no spike. Hetmyer knew straightaway and hence went for the review immediately. Outside off, Shimron swings but seems to have missed it. Buttler takes it and appeals. The umpire raises his finger. Hetmyer reviews and replays show he survives. He needs to calm down a little, he can take a little time here.
32.5 : C Woakes to S Hetmyer, Wide! Way outside off, this time it is outside the tramline. Wided.
C Woakes to S Hetmyer, A low full toss on the pads, Hetmyer works it to mid on. Thinks of a run but is sent back.
32.6 : C Woakes to S Hetmyer, Wide! Once again outside off, but once again it is a wided. Woakes is looking to stay away from Hetmyer's hitting zone and hence is bowling too wide outside off.
C Woakes to S Hetmyer, FOUR! Very classy and very smart. Knew it would be outside off so shuffles across. Also it is full and Hetmyer uses his wrists and flicks it through the vacant square leg region for a boundary. Spoils what was a good over till then. Still a good one in the context of the game as the last two have gone for 17 and 22 respectively.
Adil Rashid is into the attack.
33.1 : A Rashid to C Gayle, No run.
33.2 : A Rashid to C Gayle, Bowls a googly on middle, Gayle defends it out.
33.3 : A Rashid to C Gayle, FOUR! Good shot. Flighted delivery on middle, Gayle sweeps it towards fine leg for a boundary. It was wide of Moeen Ali and he could not get there. He moves to 98.
33.4 : A Rashid to C Gayle, Full on off, Gayle drives it towards mid off for a single. Chris Gayle moves to 99.
33.5 : A Rashid to S Hetmyer, Full again on off, Hetmyer drives it towards mid off for a run.
33.6 : A Rashid to C Gayle, Flighted delivery on middle, Gayle looks to drive but gets a leading edge on this one. It goes towards mid off. Good over from Rashid. Just 6 runs came from it.
34.1 : C Woakes to S Hetmyer, Direct hit needed but misses! The man on 99 is on strike now. Hetmyer works it towards mid-wicket and takes off. The fielder there has a shy at the bowler's end but misses.
34.2 : C Woakes to C Gayle, 100 for the Universe boss! It was a real struggle for him at the start of his innings but he has cruised along in the second part. He is back in the side and back with a bang. Cuts this short ball to sweeper cover and gets to the milestone. Takes his helmet off, goes down on his knees and raises both his hands up, in one he holds his bat and the other his helmet.
34.3 : C Woakes to S Hetmyer, OUT! Hetmyer's overly-aggressive innings comes to an end. No review can save him this time. Woakes smartly bowls it wide outside off, it is the cutter. Hetmyer throws his bat at it. It goes off the toe end straight to the man at mid off. Roy makes no mistake this time. Woakes gets his second.
The debutant Nicholas Pooran is the new batsman in.
34.4 : C Woakes to N Pooran, On the pads, it is worked towards mid-wicket.
34.5 : C Woakes to N Pooran, A good bumper that one! Pooran at the very end, takes his gloves out of the way and evades it.
34.6 : C Woakes to N Pooran, Full and on the pads, it is worked to mid-wicket. A good over this by Woakes. Just a couple and a wicket from it.
35.1 : A Rashid to C Gayle, Floated on middle, Gayle defends it back to the bowler.
35.2 : A Rashid to C Gayle, Tossed up on middle and leg, Gayle sweeps it towards square leg.
35.3 : A Rashid to C Gayle, Flighted delivery on off, Gayle cuts it towards point for a single.
35.4 : A Rashid to N Pooran, OUT! This is why you should not be holding back your leg spinner. Rashid throws up the challenge to the batsman by tossing it up full and wide outside off. The debutant falls for the bait as he attempts to go big over long off. Fails to make proper connection and Jason Roy judges the catch nicely near the fence. Pooran departs without troubling the scorers.
Darren Bravo is the new batsman in.
35.5 : A Rashid to D Bravo, SIX! Every batsman has come in with the license to go big from the word go. This is the approach that England adopted post their 2015 World Cup debacle. Very refreshing to see. Rashid once again shows courage to toss it up but this time lands it right in the zone for the left-hander. Bravo goes down on one knee and muscles it over long on for a maximum. That's how you get your innings going.
35.6 : A Rashid to D Bravo, A googly and Rashid responses superbly by beating Bravo's bat. A wicket and 7 from the over. Not a bad one given how things are going for England. Rashid has conceded 13 in his two and has also got a wicket to his name.
36.1 : C Woakes to C Gayle, Short and outside off, Gayle cuts it towards point for a run.
36.2 : C Woakes to D Bravo, Good length delivery on off, Bravo defends off the back foot.
36.3 : C Woakes to D Bravo, FOUR! Beautifully timed. Full on leg, Bravo flicks it through backward square leg for a boundary.
36.4 : C Woakes to D Bravo, Length delivery on off, Bravo cuts it towards point for a single.
36.5 : C Woakes to C Gayle, Again on a length outside off, Gayle plays it towards covers.
36.6 : C Woakes to C Gayle, Full and wide outside off, Gayle leaves it alone. Nice over from Woakes. Just 6 runs came from it.
37.1 : A Rashid to D Bravo, Bowls googly on middle, Bravo looks to defend but gets hit on the pads due to the turn on this one.
37.2 : A Rashid to D Bravo, Full on off, Bravo drives it towards mid off for a run.
37.3 : A Rashid to C Gayle, Tossed up on leg, Gayle looks to sweep but gets a top edge behind the keeper. It goes in no man's land towards third man. The batsmen take a run.
37.4 : A Rashid to D Bravo, Floated on off, Bravo looks to defend but gets an outside edge due to the turn on this one.
37.5 : A Rashid to D Bravo, Flighted delivery on off, Darren cuts it towards point for a single.
37.6 : A Rashid to C Gayle, Loopy delivery on off, Chris defends off the front foot.
Moeen Ali is back into the attack.
38.1 : M Ali to D Bravo, Flatter and on off, Bravo pushes it to covers, wants a run but is sent back.
38.2 : M Ali to D Bravo, SIX! That sounded good and it also goes over the ropes. 250 up. The slog sweep is brought out and it has been hit well. Over the mid-wicket fence.
38.3 : M Ali to D Bravo, On the off pole, blocked.
38.4 : M Ali to D Bravo, A little too straight, this is worked around the corner for a single.
38.5 : M Ali to C Gayle, Pushes this towards cover and sets off for a run. Morgan there quickly gets to the ball and throws it to the bowler but Gayle just about makes it in time.
38.6 : M Ali to D Bravo, A dot to end as this ball is pushed to the man at covers.
Some stretching going on for Chris Gayle.
39.1 : A Rashid to C Gayle, Short delivery, Gayle pulls it towards mid-wicket for a single.
39.2 : A Rashid to D Bravo, Short again on leg, Bravo makes room and pulls it towards mid on for a single.
39.3 : A Rashid to C Gayle, Short on leg, Gayle pulls it through mid-wicket for a single.
39.4 : A Rashid to D Bravo, Bowls a googly on middle, Bravo looks to loft it but gets a leading edge towards third man. It was far from the fielder.
39.5 : A Rashid to D Bravo, FOUR! Nice shot. Rashid is becoming predictable now. Bowls googly on leg, Darren plays a sweep over square leg for a boundary.
39.6 : A Rashid to D Bravo, Flighted delivery on middle, Bravo keeps it out. 7 runs came from the over. A good one for England.
40.1 : M Ali to C Gayle, SIX! In the slot and it goes all the way. Full and on off, the spin is out of contention and Gayle lofts it over long off for a biggie.
40.2 : M Ali to C Gayle, SIX! Two-in-two! This is bigger! The slog sweep is out, the risk is a lot as it is played against the turn. It is into the stands.
Change of ball again as once again the ball is hit out of the stadium.
40.3 : M Ali to C Gayle, Now a couple as this is pushed through covers. Roy from long off runs to his right and throws it to the keeper, it is wild one. Gayle somehow evades it.
40.4 : M Ali to C Gayle, Slaps this to sweeper cover for a run.
40.5 : M Ali to D Bravo, SIX! Third in the over! Bravo is the man this time who sends it into the stands. Outside off, Bravo goes down on one knee and hits it over the long on fence. 21 already from this over with a ball to go. The 50-run stand is also up, a good one especially after the Windies lost a couple quickly.
40.6 : M Ali to D Bravo, SIX! Make that 27! Another slog sweep and another biggie. It is over the mid-wicket stand. End of Moeen's spell, he has had a day to forget. 10-0-85-0 is his figures. Bravo moves onto 37 from 20.
41.1 : A Rashid to C Gayle, Floated on leg, Gayle flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run.
41.2 : A Rashid to D Bravo, Short on leg stump, Bravo pulls it through mid-wicket for a single.
41.3 : A Rashid to C Gayle, Floated on leg, Gayle flicks it towards square leg for a single.
41.4 : A Rashid to D Bravo, Tossed up on middle and leg, Darren flicks it to fine leg.
41.5 : A Rashid to D Bravo, Bowls wide outside off, Bravo looks to heave but misses it.
41.6 : A Rashid to D Bravo, Flighted delivery on leg, Bravo nudges it towards the leg side for a run.
Chris Woakes is back into the attack.
42.1 : C Woakes to D Bravo, Outside off, Bravo goes after it but gets an inside edge and on the bounce to the keeper. A dot to begin with.
42.2 : C Woakes to D Bravo, A single now! Slower ball outside off, Bravo guides it to point for a run.
42.3 : C Woakes to C Gayle, Another slower one, Gayle just opens the face and guides it down to third man for a single.
42.4 : C Woakes to D Bravo, A yorker outside off, Bravo does not put bat to ball. Excellent over till now this.
42.5 : C Woakes to D Bravo, Wild swing and another miss! Woakes mixing it up quite well here. Outside off, Bravo goes for the heave but only connects with thin air.
42.6 : C Woakes to D Bravo, Strike three! Full and outside off, Bravo targets the long on region but misses. Top, top over, just the two from it.
43.1 : A Rashid to C Gayle, Chance gone for England. Floated on middle, Gayle looks to pull but gets a top edge over mid-wicket. Woakes runs and tries to get a hand to it but fails to do so. It fell just short of him. The batsmen take a single.
43.2 : A Rashid to D Bravo, OUT! The 64-run partnership is broken. Floated on middle, Bravo lofts this over mid-wicket but does not get enough on it. It goes to Chris Woakes at deep mid-wicket who takes a comfortable catch this time. Adil Rashid gets his second wicket. This partnership was looking threatening.
Jason Holder walks out to the middle. He receives a welcome hug from Chris Gayle.
43.3 : A Rashid to C Gayle, Tossed up on off, Gayle cuts it towards point for a run.
43.4 : A Rashid to J Holder, Flighted delivery on middle, Holder defends it towards covers and takes a run.
43.5 : A Rashid to C Gayle, Flighted delivery on middle, Gayle comes down the track and blocks it.
43.6 : A Rashid to C Gayle, SIX! Chris is going bonkers here. Short delivery, Gayle latches onto it and pulls this over mid-wicket for a biggie.
44.1 : C Woakes to J Holder, Good length on off, Holder wants a few sighters unlike a few Windies batsman today. He pushes it back to the bowler.
44.2 : C Woakes to J Holder, On the fuller side, this is stroked down to long on for a single.
44.3 : C Woakes to C Gayle, Full toss on off, it is driven square on the off side for a run. Singles won't harm England here.
44.4 : C Woakes to J Holder, FOUR! Lovely batting! Just used the pace there. Width on offer, all Holder does is open the face of the bat and guides it through point. It races away to the third man fence.
44.5 : C Woakes to J Holder, FOUR! Inside out, Holder loves to hit it there. Full and outside off, Holder clears his front leg and lofts it over the cover fielder and into the fence.
44.6 : C Woakes to J Holder, Shortish and outside off, Holder pulls it all along the ground to the man at deep square leg for a single. 11 from the over.
45.1 : A Rashid to J Holder, Flighted delivery on middle, Holder plays a reverse sweep to third man.
45.2 : A Rashid to J Holder, Tossed up on off, Holder looks to go for the slog sweep but gets a top edge. It goes behind the keeper. The batsmen take a single. Good bowling by Rashid.
45.3 : A Rashid to C Gayle, Flighted delivery on middle, Gayle looks to go big but due to the turn he controls the shot.
45.4 : A Rashid to C Gayle, Tossed up on leg, Gayle flicks it towards mid-wicket for a single.
45.5 : A Rashid to J Holder, Flighted delivery on off, Holder makes room and cuts it towards point for a single.
45.6 : A Rashid to C Gayle, Loopy delivery on off, Gayle lofts it over covers. It does not get the distance to go all the way. The batsmen take a run.
46.1 : Ben Stokes to C Gayle, Good length delivery outside off, Gayle looks to slog but gets beaten on this one.
46.2 : Ben Stokes to C Gayle, Full and wide outside off, Gayle looks to go after it but misses it.
46.3 : Ben Stokes to C Gayle, OUT! Drags it on! End of a magnificent innings, a knock of brutal hitting. The crowd is up on its feet as Gayle walks back slowly. Stokes dishes out another slower ball outside off, Gayle swings but only manages to get an inside edge onto the stumps. The lack of pace probably does him in there. He though has done his job. But England will be delighted with the wicket. This can make a difference of at least 15 runs to the final total.
Carlos Brathwaite is the new batsman in. Brathwaite vs Stokes, remember the name?
46.4 : Ben Stokes to C Brathwaite, WIDE! Down the leg side, it has been wided.
Ben Stokes to C Brathwaite, Back of a length around off, it is guided through point for a run.
46.5 : Ben Stokes to J Holder, Full and on middle, it is worked it through mid-wicket for a couple.
46.6 : Ben Stokes to J Holder, Just a single to end another good over by Stokes. This is pulled to deep square leg for a single. 5 runs and the prized wicket of Gayle at this stage of the game, gold!
47.1 : A Rashid to J Holder, OUT! Jason Holder departs! Drifts away from the batsman, Holder looks to go for the slog but misses it completely and gets stumped. It goes to Buttler who in the first attempt misses it and in the second attempt whips the bails off. Holder is nowhere in the crease. He has to go. The replays shows the same.
47.2 : A Rashid to A Nurse, SIX! Good shot. Flighted delivery on middle, Nurse lofts this over mid-wicket for a biggie.
47.3 : A Rashid to A Nurse, Tossed up on off, Nurse defends towards covers and takes a run.
47.4 : A Rashid to C Brathwaite, WIDE! Bowls down the leg side, Brathwaite looks to flick but misses it. The keeper misses it and it goes towards fine leg. The batsmen take a run.
A Rashid to A Nurse, SIX! Amazing shot. Flighted delivery on middle, Nurse lofts this straight over the bowler's head for a maximum.
47.5 : A Rashid to A Nurse, Floated on off, Ashley defends off the front foot.
47.6 : A Rashid to A Nurse, FOUR! Good shot. Flighted delivery on off, Nurse flicks it over square leg for a boundary. Big over for the Windies. Inspite of losing a wicket they get 19 runs from it.
48.1 : Ben Stokes to C Brathwaite, The seam-up ball on the pads, it is flicked towards mid-wicket. The batsmen run one, they go for the second and complete it in the end.
48.2 : Ben Stokes to C Brathwaite, OUT! Good catch! No 'remember the name' heroics from Brathwaite this time as Stokes gets the better of him. Completely deceived was the batsman there. Slower ball on middle, Brathwaite is way too early into the shot. Only manages to hit it up in the air towards point. It has gone so high that it has snow on it as it comes down. Buttler does well to call quickly, settle under it and take the catch.
Devendra Bishoo is the next man in.
48.3 : Ben Stokes to A Nurse, Works it through mid-wicket for a run.
48.4 : Ben Stokes to D Bishoo, A low full toss on middle, Bishoo pushes it back to the bowler.
48.5 : Ben Stokes to D Bishoo, Shuffles across and targets the fine leg area. Stokes bangs it short. Bishoo misses.
48.6 : Ben Stokes to D Bishoo, Off pace ball, way outside off, Bishoo hits it to covers for a run. End of Stokes' over, end of his spell for tonight. Top spell by him, he has gone for 8-0-37-3.
49.1 : A Rashid to D Bishoo, Flighted delivery on off, Bishoo plays a reverse sweep towards third man. The batsmen take a run.
49.2 : A Rashid to A Nurse, Floated on middle, Nurse comes down the track and plays it towards covers for a run.
49.3 : A Rashid to D Bishoo, SIX! What a shot from Devendra Bishoo. Floated on middle, Bishoo plays a reverse slog sweep square on the off side for a maximum.
Bishoo is a goner! He has been adjudged LBW but he reviews. Only an inside edge can save him.
49.4 : A Rashid to D Bishoo, NOT OUT! Inside edge has saved him there and that too a big one. A full toss on middle, Bishoo goes for the reverse sweep again but he seems to miss it at first. It hits his pads, an appeal follows and the umpire raises his finger. Bishoo reviews it. Replays show that there is bat.
49.5 : A Rashid to D Bishoo, Floated on off, Bishoo comes forward and plays it over mid off for a run.
49.6 : A Rashid to A Nurse, SIX! Power, this guy is all about power. Ends the innings in style. Goes down on one knee and slog sweeps it into the mid-wicket stands. WINDIES END ON 360!
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, if you would have offered the Windies 360, they would have drooled over it. What a power-packed batting performance this is. 23 maximums, how often do you see that number in an ODI game. It in fact is a record, beating the previous one - 22 by New Zealand against the Windies. Just shows how brutal the Windies batsmen were today.
Who was the star for them? Any guesses? Wait, I will give a hint, one man who has starred for them so many times, the Universe Boss, yes, you have guessed it right, Chris Gayle. What a knock by him on his comeback! The Windies I feel had a plan, they had decided to play around him. He started off slowly with the rest going for it right from the outset. John Campbell provided a brisk start. Shai Hope then carried on the good work and he along with Gayle blasted a 131-run stand. They laid the foun
The man of the moment, Chris Gayle is giving a short interview. He counts this as one of his best innings. Admits that it took him a while to get going but it's all about how you finish. Feels that they are in a good position in this match. Mentions that he used his experience and picked which bowler to target. Praises Campbell, Hetmyer and Hope for taking the pressure off him. States that it's a good wicket for batting and their performance with the new balls will be very crucial. Smiles and sa
Chris Gayle blasted all the bowlers to every corner of the park. Hetmyer and Pooran failed to make an impact but Bravo played a vital hand. Windies looked like they would get to something around 380 but England managed to pull things back a bit towards the end. However, a cameo from Nurse saw them cross the 350-run mark.
All the English bowlers, except for Stokes and Rashid, had no answers to the onslaught. One would wonder, why was Rashid held back for so long. Yes, his economy is high but he and Stokes were the only two who looked threatening. The rest had a day to forget.
Now then, 361 is the target for England, chasable? Well, you surely won't rule them out, especially with the firepower they have. It won't be easy though that too with the wicket offering some spin. Will the Windies take the lead in the series or will England pull off an excellent chase? Join us to find out.