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West Indies vs England Live Cricket Score, 4th ODI, England in West Indies, 5 ODI Series, 2019, February 27, 2019

ENG 418/6 (50)
England beat West Indies by 29 runs
WI 389/10 (48)
Match over
Commentary :
0.0 : After rain played spoil sport in ODI no. 3, it is now time for ODI 4 at the same venue. The weather forecast is good today and let us hope that we can see a full game today. The series is nicely poised at 1-1 and a win here for any of the team will see them take an unassailable lead in this series. The Windies have momentum on their side after they won the last game but the visitors are still the favorites.
TOSS - Windies skipper, Jason Holder has won the toss and has elected to field first.
Pitch Report - Darren Ganga with the pitch report says the maximum temprature will go to 29. Says there can be rain later on. On the 22-yard he says not much has been changed and the pitch scurrator has informed him that the roller was rolled yesterday. Says this is a fortress for Windies and have won all 5 matches here. Expects an even contest between the bat and ball. Adds that there will be spin on offer and a a bit of tennis ball bounce earlier. Teams winning the toss have opted to chase in
Windies skipper, Jason Holder says that he will field first as there is moisture on the pitch and hopes the fast bowlers can make early in roads at the start of the match. Expects the pitch to get better to bat later on. Says he is not concerned by the performance of the spinners as they have done well in the past and expects them to come good.
England skipper, Eoin Morgan says that he hopes the team can bounce back like they have in the past. Says the wicket looks good. Ben Stokes replaces Jason Roy who has some niggle. On their fielding improvement Morgan says they are looking to maximize their potential and wants to add the extra dynamics before the World Cup by fielding better.
Players are out in the middle for the start of the 4th ODI. Alex Hales and Jonny Bairstow walk out to the middle to open the innings for the visitors. Sheldon Cottrell to take the first new ball for Windies.
There is a slight delay in the start as there is ab issue with the sightscreen. The advertisement on the sightscreen is not turned off and they are trying to sort it out.
Finally everything is sorted and we are ready to get underway.
0.1 : S Cottrell to J Bairstow, Wide. Cottrell starts with a length delivery down the leg side, Bairstow shoulders arms to it and the umpire stretches his arm to signal it as wide.
S Cottrell to J Bairstow, Good length delivery this time on the middle stump, Bairstow watchfully defends it.
0.2 : S Cottrell to J Bairstow, Full length delivery on middle and off, Jonny pushes it towards mid off.
0.3 : S Cottrell to J Bairstow, Yorker length delivery on off and middle, Bairstow gets his bat down in time and keeps it out.
0.4 : S Cottrell to J Bairstow, Cottrell pitches it on length on middle and le. The ball comes in towards Bairstow. He looks to defend but misses and gets hit on the pads. There is an appeal by the Windies player but the umpire turns it down. It looked going down the leg to the naked eye. The replays show that it would have been umpires call.
0.5 : S Cottrell to J Bairstow, Full length delivery on middle and leg, Jonny pushes it towards the fielder at mid on.
0.6 : S Cottrell to J Bairstow, FOUR!!! Beautiful. Full length delivery on the pads. Bairstow effortlessly flicks it through mid-wicket for a boundary.
Jason Holder to bowl with the second new ball.
1.1 : J Holder to A Hales, Good length delivery on the stumps, Alex starts his innings by carefully blocking it off his back foot.
1.2 : J Holder to A Hales, Good stop by O'Shane Thomas. Length delivery on off, Hales drives it through point. Thomas comes running from third man and stops the ball from going to the fence with his big foot. The batsman meanwhile come back for the second.
1.3 : J Holder to A Hales, Length delivery on the fourth stump line, Alex leaves it alone.
1.4 : J Holder to A Hales, 2 runs.
1.5 : J Holder to A Hales, Holder lands it on a length and Hles defends it off his back foot.
1.6 : J Holder to A Hales, Wide! Holder misses his line and bowls this down the leg side. Hales looks to flick it but misses. The umpire signals it as wide.
J Holder to A Hales, Full length delivery on middle and leg, Hales flicks it through mid-wicket and gets a couple to finish off the over.
2.1 : S Cottrell to J Bairstow, Good shot and excellent fielding. Full length delivery on off, Bairstow drives it through cover but Bravo there dives to his left and saves a certain boundary. The batsman are not able to get a single either.
2.2 : S Cottrell to J Bairstow, Length delivery just outside off, Bairstow looks to run it down to third man but misses and the ball goes past the outside edge and to the keeper. There is a half-hearted appeal from the keeper bu the umpire is not interested.
2.3 : S Cottrell to J Bairstow, Good length delivery on off, Jonny pushes it to the fielder at point.
2.4 : S Cottrell to J Bairstow, Slightly fuller on middle and leg, Bairstow hits it to the fielder at mid on.
2.5 : S Cottrell to J Bairstow, On the pads this time, Jonny tucks it away towards mid-wicket and gets to the other end.
2.6 : S Cottrell to A Hales, Good length delivery on the fourth stump line. Hales does not disturb it and lets it go.
3.1 : J Holder to J Bairstow, Good length delivery on middle, Bairstow looks to defend but it goes to the leg side off the inner half of the bat and they take a couple.
3.2 : J Holder to J Bairstow, Defended off the back foot by the batsman
3.3 : J Holder to J Bairstow, FOUR! Excellent shot. Good length delivery on off, Bairstow picks the length early and rocks onto his back foot. He keeps his balance and pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary.
3.4 : J Holder to J Bairstow, FOUR! This is even better. Length delivery outside off, Bairstow waits for it and cuts it through backward point for another boundary.
3.5 : J Holder to J Bairstow, FOUR! Make it three-in-three. Full length delivery on off and middle, Bairstow hits it over the bowlers head. Carlos Braithwaite gives it a chase but comes second and the ball goes to the fence. Can he make it four in a row?
3.6 : J Holder to J Bairstow, No, he cannot. Length delivery outside off, Bairstow guides it towards third man and keeps the strike.
4.1 : S Cottrell to J Bairstow, Length delivery on the stumps, Jonny defends it off his back foot.
4.2 : S Cottrell to J Bairstow, Good shot. Good length delivery on off, Bairstwo drives it through covers. He does not time it well but gets a couple.
4.3 : S Cottrell to J Bairstow, This is even better. Full length delivery on off, Bairstwo gets on his front foot and drives it through covers. Jason Holder gives it a chase and does well to stop the ball from going to the fence. The batsmen come back for the third.
4.4 : S Cottrell to A Hales, Alex defends it from within the crease.
4.5 : S Cottrell to A Hales, Edge but safe. Length delivery just outside off, Hales has a poke at it with soft hands and the ball falls short of the diving Chris Gayle at first slip.
4.6 : S Cottrell to A Hales, SIX! This one is out of here. Back of a length delivery on middle and off. Hales rocks onto his back foot and heaves it over the mid-wicket fence for a maximum. The ball goes three rows back for the first six of the day.
Ashley Nurse replaces his skipper.
5.1 : A Nurse to J Bairstow, Starts with a flighted delivery on off, Bairstow pushes it to mid off.
5.2 : A Nurse to J Bairstow, On the pads this time by Nurse, Bairstow tucks it towards square leg and gets a brace.
5.3 : A Nurse to J Bairstow, Tossed up on middle and off, Jonny taps it back to the bowler.
5.4 : A Nurse to J Bairstow, Nurse lands it on middle and leg, Bairstow hits it straight to the fielder at mid-wicket.
5.5 : A Nurse to J Bairstow, SIX! Bairstow takes the aerial route. Tossed up delivery outside off. Jonny sees the width on offer, frees his arm and lofts it over the long off fence for a maximum.
5.6 : A Nurse to J Bairstow, Follows the maximum with a clean freont foot defense.
Devandra Bishoo already introduced into the attack.
6.1 : D Bishoo to A Hales, Bishoo starts with a flighted delivery on the pads. Hales tucks it away to the on side for a single.
6.2 : D Bishoo to J Bairstow, Fuller on off, Jonny defends it classically off his front foot.
6.3 : D Bishoo to J Bairstow, Jonny has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
6.4 : D Bishoo to J Bairstow, SIX! Short and punished by Bairstow. Bishoo lands it short on off. Bairstow gets onto his back foot and pulls it over mid-wicket for a maximum.
6.5 : D Bishoo to J Bairstow, SIX! Two-in-two.
6.6 : D Bishoo to J Bairstow, SIX.
7.1 : A Nurse to A Hales, No run.
7.2 : A Nurse to A Hales, Outside off, punched off the back foot.
7.3 : A Nurse to A Hales, Short and outside off, cut straight to point.
7.4 : A Nurse to A Hales, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot.
7.5 : A Nurse to A Hales, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. The batsmen have run through for a single.
7.6 : A Nurse to J Bairstow, Full on middle, driven through mid on for a run.
Carlos Brathwaite is into the attack.
8.1 : C Brathwaite to J Bairstow, Full and around middle, pushed through mid on for a single.
8.2 : C Brathwaite to A Hales, This comes off the inner half as it goes towards mid on for a run.
8.3 : C Brathwaite to J Bairstow, Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover.
8.4 : C Brathwaite to J Bairstow, Played to the point region by the batsman.
8.5 : C Brathwaite to J Bairstow, Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
8.6 : C Brathwaite to J Bairstow, Full and around off, driven back to the bowler.
9.1 : A Nurse to A Hales, FOUR! Top shot. Why? Tell you now. So Hales backs a long way down the leg side in the month of December in 2018. Nurse sees that delivers the ball three months late. So he bowls it outside leg, literally cramping Hales for room. So what does Sir Alex do? No problem at all, he says. Just flays this through point and gets a boundary.
9.2 : A Nurse to A Hales, On middle and leg, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.
9.3 : A Nurse to A Hales, FOUR! Full and on middle, Hales gets down and mows the sweep through square leg!
9.4 : A Nurse to A Hales, FOUR! Inside out now. Full and outside off, Hales leans into it and lofts it over cover for the third boundary of the over!
9.5 : A Nurse to A Hales, SIX! WHACK! Hales is making full use of this final over of Powerplay 1. Nurse tosses it up and Nurse is dispatched. Full and around off, Alex gets down and boom. Slog sweeps it massively over deep mid-wicket.
9.6 : A Nurse to A Hales, The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. They pick up a single. 19 from the over as England end Powerplay 1 on 89/0. Predicted score - 450?
POWERPLAY 2 time. 4 fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle till the 40th over.
10.1 : C Brathwaite to A Hales, Full and outside off, Hales drives uppishly but it lands short of short extra cover.
10.2 : C Brathwaite to A Hales, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
10.3 : C Brathwaite to A Hales, Full and very straight, no room at all, Alex defends it watchfully.
10.4 : C Brathwaite to A Hales, Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
10.5 : C Brathwaite to A Hales, A little bit of inward shape on that one, AH looks to flick but the ball goes off the inner half of the bat towards mid-wicket. A single taken.
10.6 : C Brathwaite to J Bairstow, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. Very good over from the big man.
Oshane Thomas into the attack now.
11.1 : O Thomas to A Hales, Full and around middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.
11.2 : O Thomas to A Hales, IN THE AIR... SAFE! Lucky escape for Hales. Full and down the leg side, the speed gun reads 139 kph, but trust me, I do not need an ophthalmologist. That looked really slow. Alex was early into his flick and he mistimed it very high in the air. Devendra Bishoo came running in from fine leg while deep mid-wicket came in too. But luckily for the batsmen, the bisection was done to perfection. Two runs taken.
11.3 : O Thomas to A Hales, Around off, solidly defended.
11.4 : O Thomas to A Hales, WIDE. This is down the leg side, flick shot missed.
O Thomas to A Hales, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. One run added to the total.
11.5 : O Thomas to J Bairstow, Full and around off, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.
11.6 : O Thomas to J Bairstow, On middle and leg, eased towards short mid-wicket.
12.1 : C Brathwaite to A Hales, Landed outside off, Hales looks to run it down to third man and run but gets a bottom edge which goes on the bounce to the keeper.
12.2 : C Brathwaite to A Hales, The batsman defends it from within the crease.
12.3 : C Brathwaite to A Hales, A length ball outside off, Alex looks to swing wildly but misses. The ball just misses the off stump.
12.4 : C Brathwaite to A Hales, Outside off, played straight to point.
12.5 : C Brathwaite to A Hales, Outside off, on a length, Hales plays inside the line and misses.
12.6 : C Brathwaite to A Hales, The batsman guides it to third man. They pick up a single.
13.1 : O Thomas to A Hales, Outside off, dabbed to the off side for a single.
13.2 : O Thomas to J Bairstow, Outside off, dabbed to third man for a run.
13.3 : O Thomas to A Hales, The batsman works it down the leg side. One run added to the total.
13.4 : O Thomas to J Bairstow, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. Two runs added to the total.
13.5 : O Thomas to J Bairstow, OUT! Chopped on! There comes the first wicket. Out of nowhere. Landed outside off, Bairstow looks to run it down to third man but gets a thick inside edge which crashes into the stumps. Jonny is not disappointed. He is disgusted with himself. Imagine you getting served a feast but choosing to diet only on fruits. The 100-run stand is broken.
Joe Root walks in at number 3, replacing Bairstow.
13.6 : O Thomas to Joe Root, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
14.1 : C Brathwaite to A Hales, Full and around middle, pushed through mid on for a single.
14.2 : C Brathwaite to Joe Root, Outside off, dabbed to third man for a run.
14.3 : C Brathwaite to A Hales, The batsman gets an inside edge and the ball hits him on the pads.
14.4 : C Brathwaite to A Hales, Full and wide outside off, Alex slashes hard and gets a thick outside edge. It flies in the air but eludes the man at point. A run taken.
14.5 : C Brathwaite to Joe Root, Outside off, steered down to third man for one more.
14.6 : C Brathwaite to A Hales, The batsman plays it with an angled bat and guides it to third man. One run added to the total.
15.1 : O Thomas to A Hales, Full on middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.
15.2 : O Thomas to Joe Root, Outside off, dabbed to third man for a run.
15.3 : O Thomas to A Hales, FOUR! Nicely timed, nicely placed. Wide outside off, Hales reaches out and steers it between point and third man. Third man runs to his right but in vain.
15.4 : O Thomas to A Hales, FIFTY FOR HALES! His 14th in ODIs. In terms of innings, it is his first in the span of 5 innings. But if you look at the time, his last 50-plus score came in 2018, in the month of June. It is the time. Gets to his half century with a flick through mid-wicket for a run.
15.5 : O Thomas to Joe Root, Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
15.6 : O Thomas to Joe Root, Full on middle, flicked through mid-wicket for another brace.
16.1 : C Brathwaite to A Hales, Full and around off, watchfully defended.
16.2 : C Brathwaite to A Hales, Outside off, half volley, driven straight to mid off.
16.3 : C Brathwaite to A Hales, FOUR! Easy pickings. Half volley, leg stump line, fine leg up. It is like asking you to choose from 56 items in a buffet. Hales just flicks it past short fine leg and waits for the fielders to retrieve the ball.
16.4 : C Brathwaite to A Hales, Outside off, dabbed to third man for a single.
16.5 : C Brathwaite to Joe Root, Outside off, Root looks to run it down to third man but gets a bottom edge.
16.6 : C Brathwaite to Joe Root, Landed outside off, played straight to point.
17.1 : O Thomas to A Hales, Full and down the leg side, flicked through square leg for a single.
17.2 : O Thomas to Joe Root, On middle and leg, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.
Caught behind? Shai Hope certainly feels so. The bowler is confident too. Let us see what the Snicko says.
17.3 : O Thomas to Joe Root, OUT! Caught behind! There is a thin nick and Root has to depart! Second wicket for the Windies and this has come in reasonably quick time. Short and outside off, Root looked to cut but missed. There seemed to be a sound as the ball went past the bat and Shai Hope immediately started to celebrate once he took it. But umpire Oxenford shook his head. Hope immediately signalled to Holder to go for the review and one look in Snickometer was enough. A spike was generated wh
Eoin Morgan walks in next at number 4, replacing Root.
17.4 : O Thomas to E Morgan, Around off, solidly defended.
17.5 : O Thomas to E Morgan, FOUR! SWEET! Full and around off, Morgan leans and drives it between mid off and cover. The fielders start to run but the effort is futile.
17.6 : O Thomas to E Morgan, Outside off, left alone.
18.1 : C Brathwaite to A Hales, Full and outside off, driven down to long off for a single.
18.2 : C Brathwaite to E Morgan, Beaten. Landed outside off, fuller in length, Morgan looks to push it through the off side but the ball gets some extra bounce and defeats him.
18.3 : C Brathwaite to E Morgan, Around off, defended solidly from the crease.
18.4 : C Brathwaite to E Morgan, On a good length around off, blocked from the crease.
18.5 : C Brathwaite to E Morgan, A short ball, pulled to deep backward square leg for a run.
18.6 : C Brathwaite to A Hales, FOUR! Off the edge. Landed outside off, Hales walks into the shot, attempting to run it down to third man but the ball moves away, takes the outside edge and goes through the vacant slip cordon to the third man fence!
19.1 : O Thomas to E Morgan, On a length around middle, pushed towards mid on.
19.2 : O Thomas to E Morgan, Full and wide outside off, Morgan reaches out and carves it over point for a single.
19.3 : O Thomas to A Hales, On middle and leg, helped straight to short mid-wicket.
19.4 : O Thomas to A Hales, Banged in short, pulled towards fine leg for a run.
19.5 : O Thomas to E Morgan, FOUR! WHAM! That is just too short and Morgan picks the length in a trice. Pulls it over mid-wicket and finds the boundary.
19.6 : O Thomas to E Morgan, Around off, going away, left alone. Very good comeback from the Windies. 47/2 in the post-Powerplay 1 period.
Sheldon Cottrell is back on. 3-0-17-0 so far.
20.1 : S Cottrell to A Hales, Full and wide outside off, driven through the covers for a single.
20.2 : S Cottrell to E Morgan, On middle and leg, flicked towards short mid-wicket.
20.3 : S Cottrell to E Morgan, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot.
20.4 : S Cottrell to E Morgan, Around off, defended solidly from the crease.
20.5 : S Cottrell to E Morgan, Excellent yorker, around middle, watchfully dug out.
20.6 : S Cottrell to E Morgan, Full and around off, watchfully blocked out.
Jason Holder now.
21.1 : J Holder to A Hales, Full and around middle, pushed back to the bowler.
21.2 : J Holder to A Hales, Pushes this through mid on and crosses over.
21.3 : J Holder to E Morgan, Driven towards the mid on region.
21.4 : J Holder to E Morgan, FOUR! Nice shot. A length ball around off, Morgan comes down the ground and drives it straight down the ground for a boundary!
21.5 : J Holder to E Morgan, The batsman has driven that ball straight back. The batsmen have run through for a single.
21.6 : J Holder to A Hales, Full and around off, watchfully kept out.
22.1 : S Cottrell to E Morgan, On a good length around off, Morgan looks to defend but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads.
22.2 : S Cottrell to E Morgan, Outside off, played straight to point.
22.3 : S Cottrell to E Morgan, Back of a length around off, solidly blocked out.
22.4 : S Cottrell to E Morgan, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
22.5 : S Cottrell to E Morgan, Around off, well defended from the crease.
22.6 : S Cottrell to E Morgan, Down the leg side, flicked fine for a couple.
23.1 : J Holder to A Hales, Landed outside off, dabbed to third man for a single.
23.2 : J Holder to E Morgan, Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.
23.3 : J Holder to E Morgan, Landed outside off, played straight to point.
23.4 : J Holder to E Morgan, Around middle and off, Morgan walks into the shot, pushes it through the covers, first says no, but then changes it to yes as he sees it is Chris Gayle manning that region. Easy run.
23.5 : J Holder to A Hales, Full and around middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a couple.
23.6 : J Holder to A Hales, FOUR! Short and down the leg side, Hales swivels and pulls it past short fine leg for a boundary!
24.1 : S Cottrell to E Morgan, Down the leg side, helped towards fine leg for a single.
24.2 : S Cottrell to A Hales, Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a couple.
24.3 : S Cottrell to A Hales, Almost an action replay of the previous delivery. Only this was more of a half volley. Driven through the covers for a brace again.
24.4 : S Cottrell to A Hales, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
24.5 : S Cottrell to A Hales, FOUR! Up and over! A length ball outside off, Hales backs away to the leg side and lofts it over mid off. One bounce and into the ropes.
24.6 : S Cottrell to A Hales, Full and around middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a run.
Ashley Nurse into the attack.
25.1 : A Nurse to A Hales, Around middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.
25.2 : A Nurse to A Hales, The batsman works it down the leg side.
25.3 : A Nurse to A Hales, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads.
25.4 : A Nurse to A Hales, Thick inside edge by the batsman, ball goes down to fine leg. A committed effort by the fielder to save runs for his team. The batsmen have picked up a couple of runs.
25.5 : A Nurse to A Hales, OUT! That is a spectacular catch from Shimron Hetmyer! Big wicket for the Windies. Hales does not get his century. Tossed up, around middle and off, Alex gets under it and looks to hit it down the ground. For a second, it seems like the connection is great. But suddenly, out of nowhere, Shimron Hetmyer races to his left from long on, like a spring chicken, leaps to his left and takes a stunning catch, with the ropes just behind! And then the reaction - what a swagger. J
Jos Buttler walks in next.
25.6 : A Nurse to E Morgan, Full and around off, driven down to long off for a run.
Spin from both ends. Devendra Bishoo into the attack.
26.1 : D Bishoo to E Morgan, WIDE. Down the leg side, flick shot missed.
D Bishoo to E Morgan, FOUR! Too full and it is on middle. Morgan gets down and sweeps it pretty fine, getting a boundary!
26.2 : D Bishoo to E Morgan, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. One run added to the total.
26.3 : D Bishoo to Jos Buttler, Full and around off, watchfully defended.
26.4 : D Bishoo to Jos Buttler, The batsman gets a bottom edge on that one.
26.5 : D Bishoo to Jos Buttler, Full and around off, driven straight to cover.
26.6 : D Bishoo to Jos Buttler, The batsman has pushed it to the cover region. One run added to the total.
27.1 : A Nurse to Jos Buttler, Around off, solidly defended.
27.2 : A Nurse to Jos Buttler, Full and outside off, Buttler looks to play the reverse sweep. He misses as the ball spins in a mile. Shai Hope fumbles and then appeals for the catch but the umpire shakes his head. Why wasn't it wided then?
27.3 : A Nurse to Jos Buttler, FOUR! Short and around middle, Buttler rocks back and pulls it behind square leg for a boundary.
27.4 : A Nurse to Jos Buttler, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads.
27.5 : A Nurse to Jos Buttler, FOUR! MISFIELD! Short and around middle, Buttler pulls it straight to Sheldon Cottrell at square leg but he fumbles and the ball goes through!
27.6 : A Nurse to Jos Buttler, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. The batsmen have run through for a single.
28.1 : D Bishoo to Jos Buttler, Full and around off, swept straight to square leg.
28.2 : D Bishoo to Jos Buttler, Full toss outside off, driven straight to cover.
28.3 : D Bishoo to Jos Buttler, FOUR! Full and down the leg side, Buttler sweeps it fine for another boundary!
28.4 : D Bishoo to Jos Buttler, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. One run added to the total.
28.5 : D Bishoo to E Morgan, Short and outside off, worked through mid-wicket for a run.
28.6 : D Bishoo to Jos Buttler, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. One run added to the total.
29.1 : A Nurse to Jos Buttler, Full and around off, Buttler goes back and whips it through mid-wicket for a single.
29.2 : A Nurse to E Morgan, Short and outside off, cut through the covers for a couple.
29.3 : A Nurse to E Morgan, Full and around off, watchfully defended.
29.4 : A Nurse to E Morgan, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
29.5 : A Nurse to E Morgan, Full and outside off, Eoin looks to drive but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads.
29.6 : A Nurse to E Morgan, MISFIELD, FOUR! All the good effort undone by a silly mistake. Full and around middle, Morgan stays leg side of the ball and plays a lovely whip over cover. Shimron Hetmyer covers a good distance to his right from long off, gets to the ball but then, while tumbling to his right, he opens up the Sydney Harbour Bridge and lets the ball through.
A mid-pitch conference going on. Between Brathwaite, Holder, Gayle and Bishoo.
30.1 : D Bishoo to Jos Buttler, Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a single.
30.2 : D Bishoo to E Morgan, Full and around middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a run.
30.3 : D Bishoo to Jos Buttler, Short and outside off, slapped through the covers for one.
30.4 : D Bishoo to E Morgan, Full toss, outside leg, Morgan is early into his reverse sweep and hits it towards sweeper cover for another single.
30.5 : D Bishoo to Jos Buttler, SIX! Goodness gracious. That is a real gift from Bishoo. A short ball, landing in his own space, Buttler has ample time to play that and he does so, in style. Goes back and pulls it massively over mid-wicket.
30.6 : D Bishoo to Jos Buttler, Landed outside off, played straight to point. 10 from the over, Bishoo's figures read 4-0-43-0.
31.1 : A Nurse to E Morgan, The arm ball, around off, pushed back to the bowler.
31.2 : A Nurse to E Morgan, Pushes this back to the bowler again, but this time towards mid on. Stopped again.
31.3 : A Nurse to E Morgan, Full and down the leg side, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.
31.4 : A Nurse to E Morgan, Around off, watchfully defended.
31.5 : A Nurse to E Morgan, Goes back and punches this down to long on for a single.
31.6 : A Nurse to Jos Buttler, Fired on the pads, flicked straight to short fine leg.
DRINKS BREAK. Coasting along, are England. Daren Ganga had said during the pitch report that the last 5 games, we have seen an average score of 257 in the first innings. This particular one looks a very good track and the visitors should be able to get 350 easily. Of course, if wickets fall, that might be revised. Oshane Thomas is back on.
32.1 : O Thomas to E Morgan, Outside off, a punch shot attempted but missed.
32.2 : O Thomas to E Morgan, SIX! Magnificent shot! That is a Morgan special. A length ball outside off, coming at the skipper at around 141 kph. But Eoin is hardly faced. Jumps out of his crease and slaps it over extra cover like one swats a fly. Too easy for a player of this quality.
32.3 : O Thomas to E Morgan, Outside off, punched towards point.
32.4 : O Thomas to E Morgan, Around off, pushed towards point again.
32.5 : O Thomas to E Morgan, Full and around middle, watchfully defended back to the bowler.
32.6 : O Thomas to E Morgan, Around middle, worked through mid-wicket for a single.
33.1 : A Nurse to E Morgan, 50-RUN STAND IS UP! Not a bad pace either. 45 balls consumed. Short and outside off, Morgan rocks back and punches it wide of long off for a single.
33.2 : A Nurse to Jos Buttler, Full and around middle, pushed through mid on for a run.
33.3 : A Nurse to E Morgan, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. The batsmen have picked up a couple of runs.
33.4 : A Nurse to E Morgan, Full and around off, Eoin gets down and plays a slog sweep towards deep mid-wicket. Not greatly timed but it lands safely. A run taken. Looks like the skipper is opening up now.
33.5 : A Nurse to Jos Buttler, That ball has taken the inside edge onto the pads.
33.6 : A Nurse to Jos Buttler, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. The batsmen have run through for a single.
34.1 : O Thomas to Jos Buttler, Around middle, defend uppishly, but wide of the bowler, towards mid on.
34.2 : O Thomas to Jos Buttler, FOUR! Now, a Buttler special! Full and straight, Joseph gets across and scoops it high over short fine leg for a boundary!
34.3 : O Thomas to Jos Buttler, Around middle and leg, helped through the leg side for a single.
34.4 : O Thomas to E Morgan, SIX! WHOOSH! 6th half century for Morgan in his last 8 ODI innings! Short and around middle, Morgan swivels and pulls it over mid-wicket for half a dozen!
34.5 : O Thomas to E Morgan, Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a single.
34.6 : O Thomas to Jos Buttler, Gets across his stumps and looks to paddle but mistimes it towards the off side.
35.1 : A Nurse to E Morgan, Full and outside off, driven towards long off for a single.
35.2 : A Nurse to Jos Buttler, A short ball, around middle, pulled behind square leg for a run.
35.3 : A Nurse to E Morgan, Around middle and leg, helped to the leg side for one.
35.4 : A Nurse to Jos Buttler, Around middle, worked to the leg side.
35.5 : A Nurse to Jos Buttler, On middle and leg, pushed straight to short mid-wicket.
35.6 : A Nurse to Jos Buttler, Hat-trick of dot balls. All around leg, all straight to short mid-wicket.
36.1 : O Thomas to E Morgan, FOUR! ADMONISHED! Full and wide outside off, Morgan reaches out and flays it over covers for a boundary!
36.2 : O Thomas to E Morgan, Comes around the wicket now, bowls it just around off, Eoin defends it watchfully.
36.3 : O Thomas to E Morgan, WIDE. Full and miles outside off, left alone.
O Thomas to E Morgan, That is unlucky. Full and straight, Morgan drills this straight back. But Buttler comes in the way and stops the ball. It hits his bat.
36.4 : O Thomas to E Morgan, That ball has taken the inside edge onto the pads.
36.5 : O Thomas to E Morgan, Full and around middle, pushed towards mid on.
36.6 : O Thomas to E Morgan, The batsman just manages to keep the yorker out. Good ball bowled by the bowler.
37.1 : A Nurse to Jos Buttler, A short ball, pulled through mid-wicket for a single.
37.2 : A Nurse to E Morgan, Around middle and leg, helped to the leg side for a single.
37.3 : A Nurse to Jos Buttler, SIX! That is just a chip! What are the microprocessors that these bats use? Ignore the computer jargon. A length ball, around middle, Buttler just lofts it over long on and it keeps on going!
37.4 : A Nurse to Jos Buttler, Outside off, on a length, Joseph feels for it but misses.
37.5 : A Nurse to Jos Buttler, On middle, pushed down to long on for a run.
37.6 : A Nurse to E Morgan, The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single. 250 UP FOR ENGLAND. 10 from the over.
Carlos Brathwaite is back on. 6-0-20-0 so far.
38.1 : C Brathwaite to E Morgan, Full and around middle, pushed through mid on for a single.
38.2 : C Brathwaite to Jos Buttler, Outside off, another feeble poke and a miss.
38.3 : C Brathwaite to Jos Buttler, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. One run added to the total.
The umbrellas are up in the stands... but not because it is raining. But because it is very hot.
38.4 : C Brathwaite to E Morgan, Banged in short, pulled to deep mid-wicket for a run.
38.5 : C Brathwaite to Jos Buttler, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot for a single.
38.6 : C Brathwaite to E Morgan, Comes down the track but is not quite to the pitch of the ball and ends up pushing it to cover.
Jason Holder to bowl now.
39.1 : J Holder to Jos Buttler, Ouch! Buttler has hit Morgan at the bowler's end. A fuller length ball on middle and leg, Buttler hits is back towards the right of the bowler but catches Eoin who cannot get out of the way. The ball runs towards the right of mid on for a single. The English skipper somehow completes the run clutching his chest.
0.0 : The physios run out to check Morgan. He seems to have gotten hurt by the ball that caught him near his chest. Hopefully, he will be fine to continue.
39.2 : J Holder to E Morgan, SIX! That blow the previous ball does not seem to have changed Morgan's intentions though. A slower length ball outside off by Holder and Morgan slaps it with the wind over deep mid-wicket for a maximum. Huge!
39.3 : J Holder to E Morgan, Drives the next ball down the ground to long on for a single. Smart batting.
39.4 : J Holder to Jos Buttler, Full toss on middle but Buttler misses out. He can only hit it as far as mid off. No single either.
39.5 : J Holder to Jos Buttler, A fuller ball on middle and leg, Jos tries to get under it but fails to do so. The ball rolls to long on for a single.
39.6 : J Holder to E Morgan, Very full and pushed back down the ground to long on for a run by Morgan to end a 10-run over.
The end of the 2nd Powerplay. Now, the fielding team can have 5 fielders outside the circle till the end.
40.1 : C Brathwaite to E Morgan, Around the wicket from Brathwaite, very full on middle and Morgan pushes it away to deep mid-wicket for a single. The 100-run stand comes up.
40.2 : C Brathwaite to Jos Buttler, Really full outside off and almost a full toss if the batsman had connected. Buttler though fails to put bat on ball and the ball goes to the keeper.
40.3 : C Brathwaite to Jos Buttler, Another dot. 2 dots in a row. Rare. Really full outside off and Buttler hits it only as far as mid off.
40.4 : C Brathwaite to Jos Buttler, SIX! Smashed! No three dots in a row. A slower ball on middle and Buttler swivels and pulls it over deep square leg for a huge one.
40.5 : C Brathwaite to Jos Buttler, FOUR! How does that go for a boundary! A really full ball on middle and Jos somehow manages to get under that one and hit it away over the bowler's head for a boundary.
40.6 : C Brathwaite to Jos Buttler, FOUR! This one is an edge but it is still all runs for England. A full toss outside off, Buttler looks to smash it through the covers but gets a thin outside edge that runs past the keeper for a boundary.
41.1 : J Holder to E Morgan, SIX! THAT IS WHACKED OVER! Full toss on leg, Morgan dispatches it over mid-wicket for a maximum.
41.2 : J Holder to E Morgan, Full and wide outside off, Morgan looks to go after it but misses it.
41.3 : J Holder to E Morgan, FOUR! 10 off the first three balls. Full toss outside off, Morgan lofts this over mid off for a boundary.
41.4 : J Holder to E Morgan, FOUR! Just over! A fuller length ball outside off and Morgan gets under it to hit it over the cover fielder's head. He jumps to reach that one but fails to do so.
41.5 : J Holder to E Morgan, SIX! This is turning into a riot over! A full toss on middle and Morgan gets inside the line and smashes it way over the boundary at deep backward square leg. 20 off the over so far, how much off the last ball.
41.6 : J Holder to E Morgan, One off the last ball. A fuller one outside off and Eoin can only hit it along the ground towards long off. 21 off the over. The 300 comes up for the away side.
42.1 : C Brathwaite to E Morgan, A length ball from around the wicket, Morgan looked to come down the ground and pull it away but gets cramped for room. Eoin seemed to have gotten an inside edge onto the hips and the ball drops on the leg side. A single is stolen. It is given as a leg bye though.
42.2 : C Brathwaite to Jos Buttler, FOUR! Long off and long on have been split to precision! A full toss on middle and Buttler smashes it right back past the bowler to his right. The fielders in the deep have no chance to stop the ball.
42.3 : C Brathwaite to Jos Buttler, FOUR! The runs are flowing here. Brathwaite strays onto the pads and Buttler gets a fine edge on the leg side as he runs this down to fine leg for a boundary.
42.4 : C Brathwaite to Jos Buttler, SIX! This is just power! Brute power! A low full toss on middle and Buttler gets under it and smashes it over the bowler's head for a huge one. This is just plain carnage.
42.5 : C Brathwaite to Jos Buttler, FOUR! Four more. No relenting here from Buttler. A short and wide ball outside off, Jos reaches out to smash that ball but in the end just places it wide of point. No fielder in the deep and that is another boundary.
42.6 : C Brathwaite to Jos Buttler, FOUR! 23 off the over! A fuller ball on the pads and Buttler just nonchalantly flicks this one wide of deep mid-wicket for a boundary. It was just 5-6 meters to the left of the fielder but the timing was superb on that one, thus the fielder could not reach the ball.
Oshane Thomas is back on. 8-0-53-2 so far.
43.1 : O Thomas to E Morgan, WIDE. A high full toss wide outside off, left alone.
O Thomas to E Morgan, NO BALL! Thomas oversteps and bowls a length ball outside off, Morgan swats it wide of long on for a single.
FREE HIT time!
O Thomas to Jos Buttler, SIX! This is gone. A length ball, around middle, Buttler swings it over mid-wicket and the ball goes over the roof!
43.2 : O Thomas to Jos Buttler, SIX! Where has this gone? Full and around middle, right in the slot, Buttler swings this into oblivion, miles over long on again!
43.3 : O Thomas to Jos Buttler, DROPPED! Straight in and straight out. Short and outside off, cut straight to John Campbell at sweeper cover who takes it but then plonks it.
43.4 : O Thomas to E Morgan, Played to the point region by the batsman. One run added to the total.
43.5 : O Thomas to Jos Buttler, Full and wide outside off, let through.
43.6 : O Thomas to Jos Buttler, FOUR! Short and around off, Buttler swats it through mid-wicket! 21 from the over, 90 from the last 5!
Sheldon Cottrell is back on.
44.1 : S Cottrell to E Morgan, Full and outside off, eased through the covers for a single.
44.2 : S Cottrell to Jos Buttler, Outside off, driven straight to cover.
44.3 : S Cottrell to Jos Buttler, Outside off, a slash and a miss.
44.4 : S Cottrell to Jos Buttler, A 60-BALL 100 FOR MR. JOSEPH! Call him a freak, call this a freakish innings but he is special. Joseph Charles Buttler. Take a bow. What a knock. And he is not done yet. His second fastest hundred in this format. Gets there with a cut through the off side for a couple.
44.5 : S Cottrell to Jos Buttler, It's a clean strike over mid-wicket by the batsman. They pick up a single.
44.6 : S Cottrell to E Morgan, The batsman has been struck on the pads as he looked to play that off the front foot.
Jason Holder is back on.
45.1 : J Holder to Jos Buttler, SIX! High and handsome! Full and outside off, Buttler lofts it over mid off and it clears the ropes!
45.2 : J Holder to Jos Buttler, CAUGHT BUT IT IS A NO BALL! A high full toss, outside off, Buttler looks to swing hard but gets a top edge. It goes back, high in the air and Sheldon Cottrell runs back from short third man and takes the catch. But the umpires want to check and find that it is over the waist.
J Holder to E Morgan, NOTHING ON THE FREE HIT. Full and wide outside off, Morgan swishes but misses.
45.3 : J Holder to E Morgan, SIX! CENTURY FOR THE CAPTAIN! He continues his merry form. Full and around off, Morgan swings this over long on!
45.4 : J Holder to E Morgan, Pushes this through mid on and takes a run.
45.5 : J Holder to Jos Buttler, SIX! Hammered! Full and right in the slot, Buttler swings it cleanly, right back over the bowler's head!
45.6 : J Holder to Jos Buttler, Full and outside off, driven straight back to the bowler.
46.1 : S Cottrell to E Morgan, OUT! Stop the press. A wicket has fallen. A length ball outside off, probably change in place, Morgan is early into his shot. Looks to go over the top but miscues it high in the air. Jason Holder comes running in at long off and takes it nicely. End of a 204-run stand. Wow.
0.0 : Ben Stokes walks in at number 6, replacing Morgan.
46.2 : S Cottrell to Jos Buttler, FOUR! The pounding continues. Short and outside off, crunched through the covers for a boundary!
46.3 : S Cottrell to Jos Buttler, Full and outside off, driven through mid off for a single.
46.4 : S Cottrell to Ben Stokes, The batsman gets to the pitch of the ball and connects. The batsmen have run through for a single.
46.5 : S Cottrell to Jos Buttler, SIX! Another one. Short and outside off, Buttler pummels this over long on!
46.6 : S Cottrell to Jos Buttler, Full and around off, drilled down the ground for a run.
47.1 : O Thomas to Jos Buttler, Full and outside off, pushed through the covers for a single.
47.2 : O Thomas to Ben Stokes, Full and outside off, played straight to cover.
47.3 : O Thomas to Ben Stokes, FOUR! Just wide! A low full toss outside off, Stokes reaches out and carves it over point. Chris Gayle tries to reach to his right but in vain.
47.4 : O Thomas to Ben Stokes, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. They pick up a single.
47.5 : O Thomas to Jos Buttler, FOUR! When it is your day, everything goes your way. A length ball, outside off, Buttler swings hard and gets a top edge. All the way over short third man. Drops just inside the ropes.
47.6 : O Thomas to Jos Buttler, Yorker, around middle, pushed back to the bowler.
48.1 : S Cottrell to Ben Stokes, A length ball around off, Stokes heaves it towards long on for a single.
48.2 : S Cottrell to Jos Buttler, SIX! A salute from Buttler now! We have lost the ball. It has gone on top of the building and beyond, into the road. A low full toss, outside off, Jos swings this over long on!
48.3 : S Cottrell to Jos Buttler, The batsman defends it from within the crease. One run added to the total. 400 UP FOR ENGLAND!
48.4 : S Cottrell to Ben Stokes, Full and outside off, hammered down the ground for a couple.
48.5 : S Cottrell to Ben Stokes, Comes down the track and bashes it over mid off for a run.
48.6 : S Cottrell to Jos Buttler, SIX! NUMBER 23 OF THIS INNINGS - A JOINT WORLD RECORD! Can England make it their own by hitting one more? A length ball, around off, Buttler swings and swings hard, down the ground and right over the sightscreen!
49.1 : C Brathwaite to Ben Stokes, Full and outside off, Stokes looks to play the reverse paddle but misses.
49.2 : C Brathwaite to Ben Stokes, WIDE. Full and miles outside off, left alone.
C Brathwaite to Ben Stokes, Full and outside off, sliced over cover for a run.
49.3 : C Brathwaite to Jos Buttler, SIX! THERE IT IS! A world record. MOST SIXES IN AN ODI INNINGS - 24 - now belongs to England. Go past the earlier record of 23 by Windies themselves against England in Bridgetown a week ago! A length ball, down the leg side, Buttler swings it over mid-wicket!
49.4 : C Brathwaite to Jos Buttler, OUT! BOWLED! Buttler does not stay till the end. A length ball, slower in pace, 108 kph, Jos swings hard but misses and the ball hits the timber. End of a phenomenal knock. 150 from 77 balls, 13 fours and 12 sixes!
Moeen Ali is the new man in.
49.5 : C Brathwaite to M Ali, Outside off, Moeen swings but misses. They sneak in a bye.
49.6 : C Brathwaite to Ben Stokes, OUT! Taken! A wicket to end the innings. Full and outside off, Stokes reaches out and looks to clear the man at long off but holes out to Shimron Hetmyer in the deep. ENGLAND FINISH ON 418/6!
When I entered office today, my colleague Sairaj started whining, 'Sir! Please save me! England are hitting 6s after 6s!' I did not feel at that stage that we would witness anything of this sort. Three-and-a-half hours later, I am out of adjectives and my fingers are paining. Take a bow, Jos Buttler. Take a bow, Eoin Morgan. Take a bow, England. 418/6. Simply amazing.
24 sixes in 300 balls. Take the average. That is almost a six every 13 deliveries. It has been a total carnage right from the word go and had the Windies not quietened the visitors post Powerplay 1, we might have even seen 500 being crossed. Bairstow and Hales gave the tourists an excellent platform with a 100-run stand but the visiting side slipped a little. England seemed to be losing their way when Hales was dismissed around the halfway mark but there was something to come. Something unreal.
Morgan and Buttler got together and initially, they just saw off the silent phase cautiously. Then post the Drinks break, came the real hitting. England were 264/3 at the end of 40. Powerplay 3 alone has yielded 154/3. Ouch.
Normally we see overs in 10s, 12s or max 14s in the death overs. But Buttler and Morgan were dealing in 20s. Overs 42-44 resulted in 65 runs and the Brits never looked back. Both players reached their centuries with Buttler even touching 150. The world record for the most sixes in an ODI innings was broken and ironically, it was Windies who set that record in the first place, just a week ago.
Anything left to write for the bowlers? Sadly, no. Ashley Nurse and Carlos Brathwaite ended with good figures but the latter had gone for just 4 runs in his 1st 3 overs and then had given 20 at the end of 6. So he too, has gone for a beating towards the end. Nothing much to be said about the rest. Just a day to forget.
419 to win then. That score 418 would be ringing a magical bell in Windies' minds. Flashback 2003. Against Glenn McGrath. Jason Gillespie. Brett Lee. Stuart MacGill. And Andy Bichel. But that was a Test match where Windies registered the highest ever score chased down in history. Chris Gayle was there in that game. Can he revive those memories and write the script in this ODI? Let's find out in a while...