West Indies vs England | 1st ODI | Highlights | England tour of West Indies

Courtesy: Fancode

West Indies clinched an emphatic eight-wicket victory over England in the first ODI at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, riding on Gudakesh Motie’s stellar bowling and Evin Lewis’s explosive innings. The rain-affected match saw England struggle to post a competitive total, and the hosts comfortably chased down the revised target of 157 with 55 balls to spare, securing a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

England Struggles Against West Indies’ Spin Attack

After winning the toss, West Indies opted to bowl first. England’s top order found it challenging to build momentum against a disciplined West Indies bowling attack. Gudakesh Motie proved especially potent, claiming four wickets for 41 runs in his 10-over spell. Motie’s bowling dismantled England’s middle and lower order, with key wickets including captain Liam Livingstone (48) and Sam Curran (37). Seales and Forde also chipped in with two wickets each, as England was bowled out for 209 runs in 45.1 overs.

Rain Reduces West Indies’ Target

Persistent rain during the innings break caused the match to be shortened, with the West Indies set a revised target of 157 in 35 overs under the DLS method. This target proved manageable, as West Indies’ openers quickly got the chase underway with a solid partnership.

Evin Lewis’s Match-Winning Knock

Evin Lewis took charge of the West Indies’ response, unleashing a flurry of boundaries and sixes. His aggressive 94 off just 69 balls featured five fours and eight sixes, and he maintained a strike rate of 136.23. Lewis fell just short of his century but laid the foundation for a swift victory. Brandon King provided solid support with 30 off 56 balls, and Keacy Carty (19*) and captain Shai Hope (6*) saw the team home in 25.5 overs.

For his match-winning performance with the ball and two crucial catches, Gudakesh Motie was named Player of the Match. His efforts kept England under pressure and ensured a comfortable chase for the hosts.

England: 209 all out in 45.1 overs (Liam Livingstone 48, Sam Curran 37, Gudakesh Motie 4/41)
West Indies: 157/2 in 25.5 overs (Evin Lewis 94, Brandon King 30, Adil Rashid 1/50)

West Indies won by 8 wickets (DLS method) and lead the series 1-0