ANTIGUA, ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA – DECEMBER 03: Sam Curran of England reacts to a boundary being hit off … [+]
England had aimed to move past their World Cup disappointment, but Jos Buttler’s team suffered a defeat in the opening one-day international against the West Indies on Sunday, with captain Shai Hope scoring an unbeaten century.
Three weeks post their lackluster performance at the ODI World Cup, where they finished seventh among the ten teams, England embarked on a tour to the Caribbean, featuring three one-day internationals and five Twenty20 matches against the West Indies.
In the first ODI, a new-look England side set a target of 326 for West Indies as middle-order batsman Harry Brook led the charge with 71 runs, accompanied by opener Phil Salt with 45 and top-order batsman Zak Crawley contributing 48.
In response, West Indies’ opener Alick Athanaze scored 66, providing a solid start before their top order faced setbacks. Brandon King and Keacy Carty were dismissed for 35 and 16, respectively, while the big-hitting Shimron Hetmyer fell for 32.
ANTIGUA, ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA – DECEMBER 03: Shai Hope (L) and Romario Shepherd (R) of West Indies … [+]
With West Indies down at 213-5 and 11 overs remaining, England appeared poised for victory. However, West Indies skipper Shai Hope’s unbeaten 109 from 83 balls, along with Romario Shepherd’s quick 48 from 28 balls, turned the tide.
Their 89-run partnership for the sixth wicket proved to be a game-changer and Hope then finished the chase in style with three sixes in the 49th over as West Indies sealed a thrilling four-wicket victory with seven balls remaining.
Hope’s savage hitting – featuring four fours and seven sixes – stole the show for the West Indies, who did not feature at the ODI World Cup in India after failing to qualify for the pinnacle ICC event.
Sunday’s victory in Antigua was West Indies’ highest-ever ODI run chase against England, surpassing the 286 they managed at Lord’s in 2004, and their second-highest against any opponents.
“It was in a winning cause that’s all we play for, the stats will come but my aim is to win games and I’m happy the guys crossed the line today,” West Indies captain Shai said after the match.
The skipper also heaped praise on Shepherd, saying: “He was amazing, he’s one of those guys you can always depend on at this level and we got the one to start the series on a high and the aim is to repeat this in the second game.”
Jos Buttler (L) and Brydon Carse (R), of England, make plans during the first one day international … [+]
England captain Buttler, who was one of only two England batsmen to fail to reach double figures, said the team could have performed better.
“Fantastic game of cricket. A lot of credit goes to Shai Hope and his team-mates. They played really well at the back end to chase those runs down,” Buttler said.
“I thought it was fantastic batting effort. I loved the intent the guys came out with on top. They set the tone for us. They bowled well in the middle phase and West Indies needed a special innings.
“There was a fantastic effort and credit to Hope and Shepherd with the sixes. I thought Rehan Ahmed was fantastic with his leg-spin bowling. A lot of good stuff in the game, we did things well and we can do things better.”
England and West Indies will meet in the second ODI on Wednesday at the same venue before travelling to Barbados for the third ODI on Saturday. A five-match T20 series will start from December 12.
