England’s attempt to rebuild their white-ball cricket team and reclaim their former glory faced a major setback in the first ODI against the West Indies in Antigua. On a day that highlighted the glaring gaps in England’s game, West Indies cruised to a comprehensive eight-wicket victory, reinforcing their own white-ball credentials. England’s squad, which featured four debutants, appeared overwhelmed by the challenges of the 50-over format, an experience that will undoubtedly serve as a harsh but necessary learning curve.
Leading the charge for the West Indies was Evin Lewis, a player who has made an electrifying return to the international scene. Having been absent from the ODI setup for over three years, Lewis had already impressed with a century in his comeback match against Sri Lanka. In Antigua, he continued his red-hot form, dismantling England’s bowling attack with a stunning 94 from just 69 balls. His innings, which included eight colossal sixes, showcased both power and finesse, as he took full advantage of a two-paced pitch and a sluggish outfield.
Lewis’ aggressive approach made a clear statement: he was not going to let the conditions dictate his game. From the outset, he launched into England’s bowlers, effortlessly clearing the ropes and putting immense pressure on the opposition. His ability to adapt and dominate in tricky conditions was a key highlight of the match. Even when Adil Rashid attempted to deceive him with flighted deliveries, Lewis showed his class, launching Rashid for several towering sixes, including one that left the fielder at deep midwicket sprawling. Although Lewis fell short of a century, caught attempting an inside-out shot with victory already in hand, his innings had effectively sealed the game for the West Indies.
However, the platform for this dominant win was laid much earlier by Gudakesh Motie, whose brilliant bowling dismantled England’s hopes of setting a challenging total. Motie’s spell of 4 for 41 was a masterclass in variation and control, with the left-arm spinner exploiting the conditions to full effect. His wickets included England’s most experienced players, and his guile played a significant role in restricting the visitors to a below-par score.
The only real threat to West Indies’ dominance came in the form of a rain delay during their chase. At the 15th over mark, with West Indies cruising at 81 for 0 and Lewis on 51, a downpour forced an hour-long interruption. As a result, the match was reduced to 35 overs, and West Indies were given a revised target of 157. Despite the potential for an upset, the West Indies never looked in danger, resuming their innings with confidence and ease.
In contrast, England’s innings was a study in missed opportunities and poor execution. The batting effort was uninspired, characterized by cautious accumulation punctuated by lapses in judgment and aggressive strokes that went awry. The top order crumbled under pressure, with Phil Salt and Will Jacks both falling after promising starts. Salt’s attempted aerial drive off Jayden Seales ended in a simple catch, while Jacks, promoted in the absence of regular openers, failed to capitalize and skied a mistimed shot to mid-on.
Matthew Forde added to England’s woes with a series of deceptive cutters, taking key wickets to keep the pressure on. Jordan Cox, who batted at No. 3 in a crucial audition for his international future, initially looked solid but threw away his wicket with a reckless hack to deep third. Jacob Bethell, another debutant with potential, showed glimpses of composure but perished attempting an ugly slog into the covers, gifting Forde his second wicket. By the 21st over, England found themselves in a precarious position at 93 for 4, unable to build momentum or partnerships.
The only bright spot in England’s innings came from their experienced pair, Liam Livingstone and Sam Curran. The duo put together a 72-run partnership for the fifth wicket, injecting some energy into a stagnant innings. Livingstone, England’s stand-in captain, played a few confident strokes, particularly targeting Roston Chase’s off-spin for boundaries. However, just as he seemed ready to accelerate, he was caught and bowled by Motie, a crucial turning point that shattered England’s hopes. Curran followed shortly after, holing out to long-on for a hard-fought 37, and the lower order folded without resistance.
Jamie Overton and Dan Mousley, both making their ODI debuts, had little impact. Overton, known for his powerful six-hitting, fell lbw first ball to Motie, missing an attempted sweep. Mousley managed to connect with a few shots but was eventually caught on the boundary, marking a forgettable debut. Alzarri Joseph, despite a shaky start marred by fielding lapses, bounced back to clean up the tail, ensuring England didn’t even reach a competitive score.
With only 209 runs to defend, England’s bowlers had little to work with, and West Indies took full advantage. Brandon King played a supporting role to Lewis, cautiously scoring 30 from 56 balls, while Keacy Carty and Shai Hope comfortably wrapped up the chase. The West Indies reached their target with 24.1 overs to spare, a statement victory that showcased their dominance and left England with many questions to ponder.
The match was a wake-up call for an inexperienced England side, highlighting the challenges of rebuilding a competitive ODI team. Despite injuries and the absence of key players, the lack of intensity and poor shot selection were concerning signs. West Indies, on the other hand, displayed both power and precision, setting the tone for a promising series and reminding everyone of their white-ball prowess.
