The highly anticipated five-match T20I series between England and the West Indies ended in a 3-1 victory for England, with the final match being abandoned due to rain. England’s dominance was driven by standout performances from both bat and ball. Saqib Mahmood and Jamie Overton were exceptional with the ball, consistently dismantling the West Indies' batting order, while Phil Salt and Jacob Bethell shone in the batting department, anchoring England’s victories. The series also marked a triumphant return for Jos Buttler, who came back from injury and provided stability as a leader and batsman, underlining England's depth and resilience in white-ball cricket.  

For the West Indies, the series was marred by inconsistency and the absence of key players. Losing Andre Russell at the outset was a significant blow, and their experienced batters—Brandon King, Nicholas Pooran, Shai Hope, and Shimron Hetmyer—failed to deliver. Despite this, Rovman Powell and Evin Lewis showed glimpses of form, offering some respite in an otherwise lackluster batting performance. In the bowling department, Akeal Hosein and Gudakesh Motie were relatively effective, but Alzarri Joseph and Romario Shepherd struggled to find consistency. Ultimately, the West Indies were outplayed by a well-rounded England side, leaving them with much to ponder ahead of their next series.

See Also: Tilak Varma's consecutive centuries secure series victory for India against South Africa (3-1)

Analyzing the Top 6 batters from this series 

The England vs. West Indies T20I series saw some exceptional performances with the bat, and Phil Salt emerged as a standout player for England. In four innings, Salt amassed 162 runs at an impressive strike rate of 165.31, including a brilliant century with a highest score of 103. His boundary percentage of 71.6% reflects his dominance in power-hitting, as he smashed 14 fours and 10 sixes. Salt's ability to combine power with precision was instrumental in England's success, setting the tone for their victories.  

Rovman Powell was the bright spot for the West Indies, scoring 153 runs in four innings. With a strike rate of 133.04 and an average of 38.25, Powell showcased his ability to anchor innings while accelerating when needed. His innings of 54 stood out as a measured yet impactful contribution. Powell's boundary percentage of 64.05%, combined with 11 sixes, highlighted his knack for clearing the ropes, offering a glimmer of hope for the West Indies amidst a disappointing series.  

Jacob Bethell's performances for England were equally remarkable. In just four innings, he scored 127 runs at a phenomenal average of 127 and a strike rate of 173.97. His two half-centuries, with a top score of 62, emphasized his consistency and maturity. Bethell's boundary percentage of 64.56%, complemented by 10 fours and 7 sixes, showcased his ability to find gaps and clear boundaries at will, making him a key contributor to England's batting success.  

England skipper Jos Buttler, making a comeback from injury, delivered a strong performance with 125 runs in four matches at a strike rate of 168.92. His unbeaten 83 demonstrated his trademark aggression and timing, as he smashed 10 fours and 9 sixes. Buttler's boundary percentage of 75.2% was among the highest in the series, proving that he had not lost his touch despite a long injury layoff. His leadership, coupled with his batting form, provided England with a significant edge.  

Evin Lewis and Will Jacks also contributed to their respective sides but with contrasting styles. Lewis scored 121 runs for the West Indies at a strike rate of 161.33, relying heavily on boundaries, with 80.99% of his runs coming from fours and sixes. In contrast, Jacks managed 112 runs for England, with a focus on strike rotation, achieving a strike rotation rate of 41.07—the highest among the top performers. Their contributions, though overshadowed by their teammates, were valuable in adding depth to their lineups and maintaining the competitive edge throughout the series.

See Also: Marco Jansen’s fiery knock gives South Africa hope but falls Just 11 runs short

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.
  

The West Indies cricket team has faced a significant setback as veteran all-rounder Jason Holder has been ruled out of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 due to an injury. This unexpected development has led to the inclusion of left-arm fast bowler Obed McCoy as his replacement.

Jason Holder’s Injury

Jason Holder, the experienced stalwart of the West Indies team, sustained an injury during the County Championship 2024. The injury was severe enough to require a substantial recovery period, effectively ruling him out of participating in the T20 World Cup. Holder’s absence is a considerable loss for the West Indies, given his experience and influence on the field.

See Also: Watch: “Jeetne Ke Baad Cake Khayenge”, Rohit Sharma’s heart-touching chat with Pant ahead of T20 World Cup departure

Obed McCoy: The Replacement

Obed McCoy, who steps in to replace Holder, is a promising left-arm fast bowler. McCoy’s cricketing journey has been impressive, marked by his ability to deliver under pressure. Recently, he was the leading wicket-taker during the West Indies A’s tour to Nepal, where he grabbed eight wickets in five matches. His selection is a testament to his growing prowess and potential to shine internationally.

Desmond Haynes’ Statement

Desmond Haynes, the Lead Selector for West Indies, expressed his thoughts on Holder’s injury and McCoy’s selection. “Jason is an experienced player in our set-up. His absence will undoubtedly be felt both on and off the field. We look forward to having a fully fit Jason with us again soon,” Haynes said. He also expressed confidence in McCoy’s abilities, highlighting his remarkable skill and promise.

Reserve Players

In preparation for further contingencies, West Indies has named five reserve players: Kyle Mayers, Matthew Forde, Fabian Allen, Hayden Walsh, and Andre Fletcher. Each player brings unique skills and has proven their capabilities in various game formats. Their readiness to step in if needed adds depth to the squad.

Coach Daren Sammy’s Views

Daren Sammy, the head coach and two-time T20 World Cup winner, expressed his confidence in the team and the reserves. “We are fortunate to have such depth and quality in our ranks. Our reserve players are all A-class talents who have proven their abilities in various game formats, but certainly T20. Each of them is fully capable of slotting into the team seamlessly should the situation arise,” Sammy stated.

West Indies Updated Squad: Rovman Powell (c), Alzarri Joseph (vc), Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Obed McCoy, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd. Reserves: Kyle Mayers, Matthew Forde, Fabian Allen, Hayden Walsh, and Andre Fletcher