In a commanding performance, the West Indies triumphed over England by eight wickets in the first one-day international (ODI) held in Antigua. The match, influenced by rain and played under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method, saw Evin Lewis shine brightly with an impressive knock of 94 runs off 69 balls, guiding his team to victory.
England's innings was disappointing, as they were bowled out for just 209 runs. The tourists struggled on a slow wicket, with players falling victim to a flurry of poor shots. Liam Livingstone emerged as the top scorer for England with 48 runs, but his efforts were not enough to stave off the West Indies' disciplined bowling attack. Gudakesh Motie was the standout bowler for the West Indies, claiming 4 wickets for 41 runs, consistently putting pressure on the English batsmen.
This match marked the debut of four English players: Cox, Mousley, Overton, and Turner, as they navigated the challenges posed by the seasoned West Indies side. West Indies captain Shai Hope praised his team's consistency and discipline, highlighting the excellent start provided by bowlers Jayden Seales and Matthew Forde.
As the West Indies chased down the target, they demonstrated resilience and skill, achieving the victory with 55 balls to spare. Shai Hope and Keacy Carty sealed the win, comfortably bringing the team home. The West Indies are now 1-0 up in the three-match ODI series, setting a promising tone for the upcoming matches.
The defeat left England captain Liam Livingstone expressing concerns about his team's ability to convert starts into substantial scores, emphasizing the need for players in the top order to step up in future games.
With the first ODI in the books, both teams are set to face off again on Saturday, as the West Indies aim to continue their winning momentum while England seeks redemption in the series.