Evin Lewis and Shai Hope’s record opening partnership guided West Indies to win the fourth T20I of the five-match series. Hosts West Indies recorded their second-highest successful T20I chase in the match. 

Already trailing by 3-0, West Indies captain Rovman Powell chose to field first after winning the toss at Gros Islet. While England scored 218/5 in 20 overs, West Indies chased the target in 19 overs after losing five wickets. 

England openers set a strong start

English openers Phil Salt and Will Jacks provided a good start as they set up a 56-run partnership in five overs. England scored 63 for one at the end of the powerplay. 

After Jacks was out for 25 off 12 balls (one four and two sixes), Salt had a 48-run partnership with the skipper Jos Buttler for the second wicket. Salt scored his fourth T20I half-century, and Roston Chase dismissed him for 55 off 35 balls (five fours and four sixes).

Buttler scored 38 off 23 balls (two fours and three sixes), while Liam Livingstone was dismissed for four runs. 

Bethell and Curran ended strongly

Jacob Bethell and Sam Curran had a 63-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Bethell scored 62 not out off 32 balls with four fours and five sixes. Also, Curran scored 24 off 13 balls (two sixes) before his run out on the final ball of the innings.

Among the Caribbean bowlers, Gudakesh Motie (2/40) picked up two wickets, while Alzarri Joseph (1/33) and Roston Chase (1/47) got one wicket each. 

Evin Lewis and Shai Hope had a 136-run partnership

After managing a powerful start, Caribbean openers Evin Lewis and Shai Hope set up a record T20I opening partnership for West Indies at home. After scoring 68/0 at the end of the powerplay and completing 100 runs in just 7.3 overs, they had a 136-run partnership for the first wicket. While Lewis scored 68 runs off 31 balls (four fours and seven sixes), Hope scored 54 off 24 balls (seven fours and three sixes). 

It was West Indies’ fourth-highest T20I partnership for any wicket and also the second-highest T20I partnership for the first wicket. Also, it was their highest T20I partnership for any wicket in West Indies. 

Skipper and Rutherford guided to a successful chase after a sudden collapse

However, in the 10th over of the innings, West Indies lost three wickets in the first three balls, including Hope’s run out. While Nicholas Pooran was out for a duck, West Indies were down to 136/3. 

Shimron Hetmyer (7) was out cheaply in the 14th over. However, the skipper Rovman Powell and Sherfane Rutherford then strongly guided the hosts to the target. Powell scored 38 off 23 balls (two fours and three sixes), and Rutherford scored 29 not out off 16 balls (three sixes).

It was West Indies’ second-highest successful run chase in T20I history. Their record T20I chase is 232 runs (236/6) against South Africa at Johannesburg in 2015.  

In a dramatic turn of events, West Indies pacer Alzarri Joseph stormed off the field after a heated exchange with captain Shai Hope during the third ODI against England at Kensington Oval on Wednesday. The on-field confrontation, triggered by disagreements over field placements, captivated fans and sparked discussions across the cricketing world. However, the tension on the field didn’t deter the West Indies team as they secured an impressive eight-wicket victory over England to claim the series.

Joseph’s walk-off adds drama to the decider

The clash between Alzarri Joseph and Shai Hope unfolded in the fourth over of England’s innings, catching spectators and players alike by surprise. Joseph, who had just bowled a wicket-maiden, displayed visible frustration with Hope’s field settings. Animated gestures and an intense exchange quickly escalated, leading Joseph to leave the field momentarily. His walk-off left the West Indies with only ten players for an over, with Joseph seen discussing the matter with teammate Hayden Walsh on the sidelines.

The incident raised eyebrows and became a focal point of discussion, highlighting the intense emotions running high within the team during the decider. Nevertheless, Joseph returned to the field shortly afterward, resuming his role in a match that would end with a triumphant outcome for the West Indies.

Amidst the drama, West Indies openers Brandon King and Keacy Carty displayed remarkable skill, each scoring a century to chase down England’s total with ease. Chasing a target of 263, the duo formed an incredible 209-run partnership for the second wicket, solidifying West Indies' dominance. King scored 102 before being dismissed, while Carty remained unbeaten at 128, sealing the victory with a boundary. Their partnership not only made light of England’s challenging total but also highlighted their growing synergy and effectiveness in high-stakes matches.

See Also: "Sourav Ganguly and my wife pushed me to play in Bengal this year" - Wriddhiman Saha

Earlier in the day, England faced a challenging start, falling to 24 for four as West Indies' bowlers capitalized on early weaknesses. Opener Phil Salt anchored the innings with a top score of 74, preventing a total collapse. Contributions from Sam Curran (40) and Dan Mousley (57) provided support, allowing England to reach a respectable 263. However, the West Indies bowling unit, led by Matthew Forde with three for 35, held England in check.

Gets angry! 😡
Bowls a wicket maiden 👊
Leaves 🤯

An eventful start to the game for Alzarri Joseph! 😬#WIvENGonFanCode pic.twitter.com/2OXbk0VxWt

— FanCode (@FanCode) November 6, 2024

West Indies’ winning streak and future prospects

The series win marks West Indies' second consecutive ODI triumph over England on Caribbean soil, following their victory 11 months prior. With personnel changes expected in both teams for the upcoming T20 International series, the West Indies squad will be looking to carry forward their winning momentum into the shorter format, with hopes of achieving another series win at home.

The five-match T20 series begins this weekend in Barbados, where West Indies fans eagerly await to see if the team’s recent success can transition into continued dominance.

England leveled the ODI series by creating history in the second game of the three-match ODI series against the hosts West Indies at Antigua. 

Trailing the series by 1-0, England chose to field first after winning the toss in the second game of the series. After West Indies scored 328/6 in 50 overs, England successfully reached the target in 47.3 overs after losing five wickets.

Captain Shai Hope scored a century in the first innings

Captain Shai Hope scored his 17th ODI century as his 117 off 127 balls (eight fours and four sixes) powered the Caribbean team to score a big ODI total. Keacy Carty (71) and Sherfane Rutherford (54) supported him with half-centuries, while Shimron Hetmyer (24), Roston Chase (20*), and Matthew Forde (23*) brought some useful cameos.

Captain Liam Livingstone fired a match-winning century

In reply, although England lost a couple of wickets cheaply, they always had some useful partnerships. Opener Phil Salt (59), Jacob Bethell (55), and Sam Curran (52) scored valuable half-centuries, while the captain Liam Livingstone scored his maiden ODI century as he remained not out on 124 runs off 85 balls (five fours and nine sixes) to guide the visitors to reach the target safely. 

Both captains scored centuries in the same ODI

• It was the seventh time in ODI cricket history that both captains scored centuries in the same game. 

• England also became the first team to successfully chase three 300+ ODI targets in the West Indies. Even the hosts West Indies have recorded it twice. 

Second highest successful ODI chase in West Indies

• England recorded the second-highest successful ODI chase in the West Indies. They also hold the record for the highest successful chase of 361 runs against West Indies in the 2019 Bridgetown ODI. 

West Indies captain Shai Hope hit his 17th ODI century as the hosts set a big total against England in the second ODI of the series.

Trailing the three-match ODI series by 1-0, England captain Liam Livingstone chose to field first in the second ODI at Antigua. West Indies scored 328/6 in 50 overs. 

Although both the openers were dismissed in single digits [Brandon King (7) and Evin Lewis (4)], Keacy Carty, captain Shai Hope, and Sherfane Rutherford set up the hosts' strong standing in the game. 

Carty and Hope had a 143-run partnership for the third wicket, and Hope had a quick-fire 79-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Rutherford. Carty scored 71 off 77 balls (five fours and one six), while Rutherford scored 54 off 36 balls (four fours and three sixes).

Shai Hope completed his century in 118 balls

Captain Hope completed his fifty runs in 66 balls and reached the three-figure mark in 118 balls. With the help of eight fours and four sixes, Hope scored 117 off 127 balls before Jofra Archer dismissed him in the 47th over. 

Shimron Hetmyer (24 off 11 balls), Roston Chase (20 not out off 22 balls), and Matthew Forde (23 not out off 11 balls) had some useful cameos that helped the hosts set up a target of 329 runs. 

In the final over of the innings, Forde hit three consecutive sixes to Saqib Mahmood.   

Here are some crucial stats on Shai Hope’s batting in the match. 

Shai Hope scored his second ODI century at home as a West Indies captain.

• While Hope is the second West Indies ODI captain to score a century at home, he equalled the record for most home centuries by a West Indies ODI captain with Brian Lara, as both have scored two centuries each as ODI captains.  
  

It was Hope’s fourth century as an ODI captain.

• Hope became the third Caribbean ODI captain to hit at least four centuries. 

Hope completed 1000 ODI runs as a captain. 

• Hope became the eighth West Indies ODI captain to score 1000+ runs. 

Hope recorded his 17th ODI century.

• Hope equalled the third-most ODI centuries record by a West Indies cricketer.
  

West Indies skipper Shai Hope recently shared his interaction with former Indian captain MS Dhoni after West Indies defeated England by four wickets in the first ODI in North Sound on Sunday, December 3. Hope also shared that Dhoni’s advice to him was ‘You always have a lot more time than you think’. Meanwhile, Shai Hope smashed a stunning 109* off 83 balls as West Indies chased down a total of 326 in 48.5 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series as well.

Speaking at the post-match presentation, he recalled advice from MS Dhoni that has stayed with him as well. “A very, very famous person, MS Dhoni – we had a chat a while ago, and he was saying, ‘You always have a lot more time than you think’. That’s one thing that has stuck with me throughout the years I’ve been playing ODI cricket,” the Windies skipper commented.

See also: Axar Patel comments on missing out on the 2023 World Cup due to injury

While speaking to Cricket West Indies’ in-house channels, he further said that looking at the dimensions of the field and the wind factor, he also felt targeting Curran’s over would be better. Shai Hope hit four fours and seven sixes in his innings, bringing up his 16th ODI ton as well.

“We knew it was a challenge to score from the other end, especially going against the breeze… regardless of what happened, I was going to try and take down that second-to-last over to give us the best chance of winning the game,” Hope said. “After the second [six of the 49th over], I knew we pretty much had the game in the balance. If we had that over to finish the game, I always try to finish the game with one over to spare if I can. I don’t want to leave it to anyone else, so the aim was to finish off at the back end.”

However, chasing a big target, West Indies got off to a great start as Alick Athanaze (66 off 65) and Brandon King (35 off 44) added 104 for the first wicket as well. Romario Shepherd then scored 48 off 28 balls, adding 89 runs for the sixth wicket with Hope as well.

“He was amazing. He’s one of those guys you can depend on and he’s continued to show his worth at this level. We’re starting the series on a high and the aim is to repeat this in the second game,” Shai Hope said, applauding Shepherd.

The second ODI between West Indies and England series will take place in Antigua on Wednesday, December 6.

In anticipation of the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, West Indies announced their ODI squad on Tuesday (November 21) for the upcoming series against England, signaling a fresh start in the 50-over format. Despite being the victors of the first two World Cup editions, the Caribbean team faced an unprecedented setback by failing to qualify for the recently concluded World Cup in India.

Marking the first-ever absence of West Indies in a World Cup, the two-time champions are determined to rectify their course in the forthcoming series, aiming to lay the groundwork for success in the next World Cup. Chief selector and former opening batsman Desmond Haynes emphasized the team’s commitment to rebuilding and preparing for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027.

See Also:David Warner Pulls Out of IND vs AUS; Replacement Player Announced

“England’s tour of the West Indies is always filled with excitement and expectation,” remarked Haynes. “We anticipate a hard-fought series, but we have confidence that this squad will excel in our home conditions. Our overarching goal is to construct a robust team with a clear vision, focusing on the rebuilding process for success at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027,” he added.

West Indies Announced Squad for England Series, Shai Hope Retains Captaincy

Shai Hope will continue to lead the West Indies side in the upcoming ODI series against England, with fast-bowler Alzarri Joseph appointed as his deputy. Notably, Jason Holder and Nicholas Pooran have been omitted from the ODI squad. The West Indies selectors have introduced uncapped allrounders Sherfane Rutherford and Matthew Forde to the squad, along with the inclusion of Shane Dowrich and Kjorn Ottley.

The three-match ODI series is set to kick off on December 3 in Antigua. In a bid to rebound from a disappointing World Cup campaign where they couldn’t defend their title, England, led by Jos Buttler, will be seeking better results. They concluded the tournament in the seventh spot on the league table, managing only three wins in nine games.

West Indies Squad for England: Shai Hope (c), Alzarri Joseph (vc), Alick Athanaze, Yannic Cariah, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Kjorn Ottley, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Oshane Thomas.

ODI Schedule:

• First ODI: December 3, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua
• Second ODI: December 6, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua
• Third ODI: December 9, Kensington Oval, Barbados

West Indies are normally known for their big hitting and intentful batting while they also tend to play more dot balls then desired. With Daren Sammy in the backroom, more intent with the bat has been called upon with West Indies looking to go hard through the fifty overs.

The last couple years, although results may show otherwise, have evidently helped show that the West Indies batting line-up has done a decent job. Against Nepal, Shai Hope, criticized for his strike-rate in the past past, breezed to another century, his 15th, and 9th since the 2023 World Cup. Barring him, West Indies have had nine centuries from the other players combined in the same period.

The blue print layed has been rather simple. Attack around Shai Hope while Shai Hope plays through. In the past, Hope’s strike rate raised questions on this method but with Hope improving with his strike rotation, runs have been flowing rather better. Holding one end, West Indies found an accelerator at the other end as Nicholas Pooran started smoking the ball.

Pooran taking bowlers on is a common sight in franchise cricket, but seeing him do the same for West Indies is not as common a sight. His hundred was only the second of his career and the first in the period after the 2019 World Cup. Together though, with two players who are pretty experienced in this line-up, given Pooran was the skipper of the side, West Indies went from 55-3 in 16 overs to 339. In the past, West Indies stocked their line-up with big hitters and all-rounders who would keep going even if wickets went down.

Here, the West Indies have looked to do the same in this tournament and against Nepal a long partnership helped them get to a really good total. While Pooran’s innings was special, Shai Hope’s consistency is turning out to be a really strong aspect in their batting line-up. Since he moved to number four, Hope has consistently been getting starts, holding an end to himself allowing Pooran, Powell and Holder to hammer in the end.

The same happened against Nepal with Pooran delivering and although it was an associate team, the innings did give the West Indies what seems like a pretty decent strategy as they continue to build an innings and a team around Shai Hope.