So far it has been an unlikely clash of ideologies in the Caribbean. In Thursday’s one-sided defeat, the value of experience was very much in evidence in Evin Lewis’ match-winning attack: despite missing ODI
cricket for three years, his muscle memory was very much in tune with the challenge, as he withstood the threat of England’s new ball. to demolish their opponents in just 25 overs. In the process, he quickly surpassed his 2000th run in the format, which is more than double the tally of England’s most experienced batsman in the format. [checks notes] …Adil Rashid.
That battle-hardened narrative had taken a firm grip on the series midway through Saturday’s second game. Shai Hope is clearly a good cricketer, but who could have imagined that his ODI record would one day rival that of Chris Gayle, Brian Lara and Desmond Haynes? And yet, his 17th century in the format was exquisitely paced as ever, filled with the kind of belief in better times that England’s T20-trained top four can only guess they will achieve, given how few times they have been asked let them resist. the fallow intermediates of a game of 50 or more.
Hope encountered nine different bowlers over the course of his innings, which is surely a record of some description. On the one hand, this was a tribute to England’s wealth of options, as a new generation of cricketers arrives on the scene with two professionally useful strings on each bow. On the other hand, it was proof that more is less, as Liam Livingstone’s management became increasingly confusing with each new change on the pitch.
But then, suddenly, those old certainties crumbled and an entirely new narrative took over. One in which the power of responsibility arose in England’s vacuum of experience, to set up an improbable series finale.
Sam Curran had batted above number 7 only once in 32 ODIs before this campaign, and Livingstone above number 6 only twice in 30. But both men responded to the hour of need with precisely the kind of courage that management had expected. to convince you to leave this experimental team.
Curran’s run-a-ball 52 was significantly more valuable than it looks on paper, providing the ballast through the middle overs that allowed England to deepen the chase, before Livingstone, the most unlikely of the six captains of England in all formats this summer, will drop bomb after bomb after bomb. He hit nine sixes in total, a figure bettered by only three English players in an over-50s contest. And if you squinted at the final scorecard, once a daunting target of 329 had been chased with overs and wickets to spare, you could almost believe we were back to the team’s heyday before 2019, when such feats self-confidence were a daily occurrence.
So which philosophy will dominate the day (and the series) in Barbados? The stakes are significantly higher than they might have seemed three days ago, with the West Indies eager to win their first series since England’s last visit 11 months ago, not to mention vital points for qualification as they plot their route back to the top of the table after getting lost. in the 2023 World Cup.
As for England, Marcus Trescothick’s joyful embrace of his captain said it all as the players left the field in Antigua. England’s interim coach admitted last week how difficult it has been to strike the right balance between nurturing newcomers to the team and cultivating the winning culture this white team once took for granted. Now presents an unlikely opportunity to achieve both goals in one fell swoop.
forms guide
West Indies LWWLL (last five tests, most recent first)
England WLLWW
In the spotlight: Shimron Hetmyer and Jordan Cox
Shimron Hetmyer was on violence leave Saturday afternoon and he took it…albeit briefly. There were 10.1 overs left in the innings when the West Indies No. 6 headed to middle, the kind of scenario he usually enjoys in the T20 format. This time, however, his team was already 234 for 4 on the board, and he did his bit to push them past 300 with three sixes in his first ten deliveries. But then he holed out in search of a fourth and came out firing for 24 off 11 balls. However, it was the second-highest innings of his seven innings since his ODI return in July 2023, after his 32 off 30 balls, also against England, in December. Like his England counterparts, his lack of familiarity with the format appears to be holding him back, but the talent and potential is undeniable.
These are an important few months for Jordan Cox, one of the most fascinating characters outside of England’s international set-up. His relentless ambition is palpable – by his own admission, almost to the point of arrogance – but England’s management generally likes what they see. This opportunity to bat at No. 3 in the restarted ODI lineup, ahead of three guaranteed Tests as Jamie Smith’s backup, means he has until Christmas to make a real case for his long-term inclusion in his plans. However, four games into his England career, he is struggling to make much headway. Despite a confident projection of belonging to the middle-order, he managed 21 ODI runs off 50 balls on this tour, and was bounced rather gullibly by Shamar Joseph on Saturday. His legendary field was also out of boiling, which is perhaps a suggestion of concern. He hasn’t blown his chance yet, but with so many key batsmen missing on this tour, he could find himself pushed down the pecking order unless he shows his true colors soon.
Team News: Few surprises in prospect with series on the line
West Indies: 1 Brandon King, 2 Evin Lewis, 3 Keacy Carty, 4 Shai Hope (captain and week), 5 Sherfane Rutherford, 6 Shimron Hetmyer, 7 Roston Chase, 8 Alzarri Joseph, 9 Gudakesh Motie, 10 Matthew Forde, 11 Jayden Seales
England’s temptation to play will be tempered with a series on the line.
England: 1 Phil Salt (week), 2 Will Jacks, 3 Jordan Cox, 4 Jacob Bethell, 5 Liam Livingstone (captain), 6 Dan Mousley, 7 Sam Curran, 8 Jamie Overton, 9 Adil Rashid, 10 Jofra Archer, 11 John Turner
Field and conditions: time is once again a factor
Five years ago, England and the West Indies scored 724 runs in an ODI at Kensington Oval, but since then there have only been two scores above 300 in 11 games. The forecast of heavy rain could again cause interruptions.
Statistics and curiosities
- The West Indies have won 19 of their previous 42 ODIs at Kensington Oval, including each of their last two appearances against India and England in 2023.
- England have a head-to-head meeting with the hosts in Barbados, with seven wins and six losses in 13 previous meetings dating back to 1986.
- England achieved their most successful ODI chase on the field in 2019.
Quotes
“After the first game, we talked about how much time we had and even with the ball, about being a little more patient. It’s not about learning on the job but from mistakes and I thought we did pretty well from the first game. If we can to win 2-1, it would be a great achievement for a young group.” .Sam Curran on England’s learning curve
