West Indies and England will meet for the second of the three-match ODI series on Wednesday at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.
Considering the next ODI World Cup is four years away, the importance of this series might not seem to be high. But having said that, this is a chance for redemption of two teams in ODIs who have not been at their best in the recent past.
England had a horrific time in the 2023 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup, while West Indies were not even a part of the competition failing to qualify for the quadrennial event for the first time.
This series has started well for the men from the Caribbean, as they won the first match by four wickets, thanks to their batting firepower. Here in Antigua, Shai Hope’s men will aim to seal the fate of the series, while Jos Buttler’s team will try to keep it alive.
What has happened so far?
West Indies needed to get off to a winning start, as they have not been up to the mark in ODI cricket recently. After missing out on World Cup qualification, they lost a series against India before coming into this series.
But the first match went in their favor, as they got a four-wicket win. Bowling first, Hope’s bowlers conceded 325 runs, as Harry Brook and Phil Salt went all guns blazing for the Three Lions.
The target was big but West Indies had a great start with the bat, thanks to a 104-run opening partnership between Alick Athanaze and Brandon King. After their departures, it was time for Hope to showcase his class. The West Indies captain scored 109 runs in 83 balls, which included 4 fours and 7 sixes.
Head to Head Record
When it comes to head-to-head records, England has the upper hand over the West Indies. These two teams have played 103 times in ODI cricket, with the Three Lions winning 52 of those matches. West Indies won 45 games, while six games did not produce a winner.
Interestingly, the last ODI match was the first meeting of the two teams in four years, as their last ODI meeting was way back in the 2019 ICC World Cup. In that game, England got an eight-wicket win.
Key Players
Shai Hope led his team by example in the first ODI
Shai Hope (West Indies): The current West Indies team has plenty of young faces like Athanaze and Sherfane Rutherford, but they are guided by a veteran figure in Hope. The skipper has been the team’s most reliable player in the last few years, and it was yet again on display in the first ODI, where he scored 109 runs.
As for his overall career numbers, Hope has scored 5049 runs in 119 ODI matches, which came at a fantastic average of over 50 and a strike rate of nearly 80. While the last match saw his first-ever ODI century against England, Hope had previously scored two half-centuries against the Three Lions – at Southampton in 2017 and Bridgetown in 2019.
Harry Brook (England): It is unfortunate that Brook could not get enough chances in the 2023 ICC World Cup, for he has emerged as one of the few consistent batters in an otherwise inconsistent England team.
In the first ODI, Brook was his team’s highest scorer as he scored 71 runs in 72 balls, which included 7 fours and 2 sixes.
Known more for his T20 skills, Brook’s ODI numbers are not spectacular. He has only scored 363 runs in 13 matches at an average of over 25 and a strike rate of nearly 100, but the numbers do not justify his insane potential. He has already scored three half-centuries in ODI cricket this year.
Predicted Starting XIs
West Indies: Brandon King, Alick Athanaze, Keacy Carty, Shai Hope © (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Yannic Cariah, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Oshane Thomas.
England: Phil Salt, Will Jacks, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope/Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler © (wk), Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Brydon Carse, Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson.
Prediction
West Indies might have won the first match, but they are as inconsistent as the current England team, if not even more. On the other hand, this match will be a matter of survival for Buttler’s side, who will look to leave no stone unturned to restore parity in the series. Hence, the Three Lions will start this match as favorites.