WI vs ENG: In a thrilling showdown in Barbados, West Indies clinched a historic 2-1 series victory over England, marking their first home ODI series win against the English since 1998. The triumph comes after a gripping encounter that saw West Indies chasing down a revised target of 188 from 34 overs, ultimately sealing the series win with 14 balls to spare.
The journey to this milestone victory was anything but smooth, with rain causing a two-hour delay and interruptions during England’s innings. The contest was initially a 43-over affair, which later transformed into a 40-over battle. Despite the challenges, WI emerged victorious, ending a 24-year wait for a home ODI series win against England.
What happened: West Indies vs England 3rd ODI (WI vs ENG)
Debutant Matthew Forde played a pivotal role in setting the stage for West Indies’ success. In front of his home crowd, Forde’s impressive bowling performance, claiming 3 for 29, reduced England to a precarious 49 for 5 within the first 10 overs. Keacy Carty, showcasing his resilience, contributed a crucial half-century, while Romario Shepherd’s unbeaten 41 guided West Indies to the target.
For England and captain Jos Buttler, who suffered a first-ball duck after losing the toss, it was another setback in what has been a challenging winter for the ODI team. Despite a notable performance from Will Jacks, who returned career-best List A figures with 3 for 22, England couldn’t prevent WI from securing their historic series win.
This victory holds particular significance for West Indies, given their struggles to qualify for the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 in India. The series win against England, a Full Member nation, marks their first bilateral victory in over two-and-a-half years, underlining the team’s resilience and determination.
The Barbados showdown was anticipated as an opportunity for both teams to claim a series win, and West Indies seized the moment, breaking a long-standing streak and etching their name in ODI history. As the celebrations unfold in the Caribbean, West Indies cricket fans savor this remarkable achievement, and the team looks ahead to future successes with newfound confidence.
