The State of Play
Having endured a torrid Cricket World Cup in India, England hoped a trip to the West Indies – where they will play three one-day internationals and five T20I matches before Christmas – offered the perfect opportunity to restore confidence in their white-ball set-up.
However, after struggling with the bat at the World Cup, it was a different story for Jos Buttler’s team in Antigua as an imposing total of 325 wasn’t enough in Sunday’s first ODI, a poor display with the ball costing them in a game decided with just seven deliveries to spare.
Shai Hope smashed Sam Curran – whose figures of 0-98 were the most expensive ever for England in a men’s ODI – all over the park as his brilliant 109 not out led the West Indies to a dramatic four-wicket win, completing the team’s second-best run chase in ODI history (after the 331/5 they managed against Ireland in 2019).
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There were positives for Buttler to take from England’s display, from Harry Brook’s top-scoring 71 to Rehan Ahmed’s continued improvement, but the skipper’s own form remains a concern after he made just three from 13 balls.
England were also made to rely on their tail with eighth-wicket pair Curran and Brydon Carse ensuring they made it past 300, not that it mattered when the tourists failed to make any headway with the ball.
A series billed as a fresh start for England’s ODI set-up could be over as a contest come Saturday’s third match in Barbados. Buttler and company have plenty of questions to answer if they are to turn that clash into a decider.
Scenes in Antigua after the win!🇦🇬#WIvENG #WIHomeforChristmas PIC.TWITTER.COM/H68VZQU0YO
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) DECEMBER 3, 2023
Team News
Both teams are expected to be unchanged for Wednesday’s match, which takes place at the same venue as the first ODI – the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.
Curran is surely the England player most at risk of being replaced, though it is thought he’ll get a chance to atone for Sunday’s display here. Buttler could opt to hand the ball to Will Jacks after facing criticism for failing to do so last time out.
For the Windies, Gudakesh Motie is again expected to play a key role after nabbing the crucial wickets of Phil Salt and Buttler on Sunday, posting team-best figures of 2-49 in his 10 overs with the ball. With the bat, Keacy Carty will be looking to improve on his 16 off 39 balls, which left the hosts reliant on Hope’s herculean effort.
What they Said
England bowler Rehan on adopting a positive approach:
“I don’t mind being hit for runs. I just want to take wickets. The runs aren’t really part of it.
“I know there’s going to be a couple of days where I get it wrong and I get hit around, which I’m fine with, it’s more when I’m on top and I’m bowling well to impact the game as much as I can.”
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) DECEMBER 3, 2023
Skipper Buttler on his own lack of form:
“I feel good, I just keep managing to get out. It’s disappointing, frustrating and gone on for a lot longer than I’d have liked but there’s only myself who can score my own runs, I’m not going to score any if I hide away and don’t get out there.
“You keep working hard, the only thing you can do is keep putting yourself out there, trusting in the stuff that’s served you well over a long period of time and hope it turns around.”
West Indies star Hope on taking inspiration from MS Dhoni:
“A very, very famous person, MS Dhoni… we had a chat a while ago, and he was saying, ‘you always have a lot more time than you think’. That’s one thing that has stuck with me throughout the years I’ve been playing ODI cricket.”
Captain fantastic! Shai Hope with his 1️⃣ 6️⃣ th ton taking the West Indies to a win!🏏 💥 #WIHomeforChristmas #WIvENG PIC.TWITTER.COM/F8VIAGTNTR
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) DECEMBER 3, 2023
When and How to Watch
Wednesday’s second ODI is scheduled to get under way at 17:30 UK time, and like every match in the limited-overs tour, it will be shown live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.
Prediction
Despite an abject performance with the ball last time out, there were plenty of positives for England to take, with only the Windies’ second-best run chase in ODI history denying them a series-opening victory.
If England can maintain their consistency with the bat, expect the tourists to keep the series alive with a win on Wednesday, which would represent a timely confidence boost following a rough few months.
📍 Antigua
New beginnings in the Caribbean ⏳#EnglandCricket | #WIvENG PIC.TWITTER.COM/XNBMHKFRTT
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) DECEMBER 2, 2023
