WI VS ENG - 1st ODI, England tour of West Indies, 2019

West Indies vs England

England won by 6 wkts

ENG -364/4 (48.4)

WI -360/8 (49.6)

PLAYER OF THE MATCH : Jason Roy

Batter

R
B
4s
6s
SR
4
1
1
0
400
20
25
2
0
80

Bowler

O
M
R
W
ECO
9.4
0
63
2
6.52

We've seen a run-fest, a six-fest, on a small ground, with factors like wind playing a massive role. It was an interesting game, but high-scoring at the same time. Certainly not a wicket that wasn't bowler-friendly, but one on which the bowlers from both teams failed to adapt and deliver. It certainly did make for some entertaining batting though - not least, a six-laden hundred by the Universe Boss which started rather uncharacteristically. England, though, were far too good, and their top-order overpowered the Windies to steal the game within the first 20 overs. It was always a comfortable chase, and that's what the current England ODI setup is all about - winning clinically and devouring the opponent, minnow or not. On that note, this is Rishi Roy, signing off on a chilly Bangalore morning, alongside a bunch of zombies - Sriram AS, Abhinand Raghavendran, and Venky. Until next time then. Ciao!

Eoin Morgan, England captain: The calm nature in which we came back with the ball was great. We did well in the last 10-15 overs - they were headed for 380-400. It felt like a 330 chase, and not 360, that's how well we started the chase with Roy and Bairstow. And Root, obviously, was fantastic in the middle. Joe and Roy, when they bat together, complement each other. The way they batted today proves that. We just didn't have a great day in the field, and we need to hold our catches on this kind of a ground and wicket. Adil bowled well when he was asked. We are happy with where we are and that's good with the World Cup in perspective.

Jason Roy, Man of the Match [123(85)]: It was a nice surface. A pretty big total, daunting to start with, but Jonny and I started well and continued. I'm still in a deficit for dropping Chris Gayle, so I need to make up for it throughout the series. We (Joe and I) rotated the strike well, and to see us right through to the end was impressive. We'll keep our feet on the floor and work hard for Friday.

Jason Holder, Windies captain: Credit to our batters, we did a remarkable job. Didn't bowl as well as we'd like, and we simply didn't do well in the field. Gayle took his time, and batted deep. He's always been a star for us, and it's great to see him play the way he's playing. Our energy and body language wasn't up to the mark, perhaps due to missed chances, and the bowlers need to create more opportunities. The bowlers did create chances, but we didn't hold them - almost 6-7 chances. If we hold onto those, we will definitely be better in the next game.

19:09 Local Time, 23:09 GMT: What a fantastic game! A six-fest to start with and England, officially the best ODI team in the world at the moment, pull off their highest successful run-chase in ODI cricket - and the third-highest of all time. 23 sixes, a record for an ODI innings, and things looked set for the Windies, as they cruised to 360 aided by a Gaylestorm and some poor bowling/fielding by England. But Jason Roy, with a stunningly quick hundred, more than made up for dropping Chris Gayle on 9. After laying the platform, it was time for Morgan and Root, two of England's captains, to set the stage on fire; Morgan played the aggressor with a violent fifty, and Root anchored the innings with his 14th ODI hundred, taking England to the brink before falling when the scores were level. Buttler entered the arena to finish things off swiftly with a boundary to hand England the first ODI and a 1-0 lead in the series scoreline.

48.4

4

Holder to Buttler, FOUR, very full delivery on the boots, whipped away towards the deep midwicket fence for four - and England have pulled off their highest successful chase in ODIs!

Jos Buttler, right handed bat, comes to the crease

48.3

W

Holder to Root, out Caught by Pooran! It's a no-ball, I think. A catch has been taken by Pooran at deep midwicket. Nope, it's a fair delivery! A full-toss, dipping towards the groin area, Root pulls it away and holes out - straight down the throat of cow corner who holds on. Root would've liked to see it through, but he's done enough. Done his bit. Root c Pooran b Holder 102(97) [4s-9]

Holder to Root, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

It's a no-ball, I think. A catch has been taken by Pooran at deep midwicket. Nope, it's a fair delivery!

48.3

Holder to Root, wide, fired down leg again, wide called

48.2

Holder to Root, FOUR, 14th ODI hundred for Root - and his 30th in international cricket. Fantastic innings by the most diminutive of the big four, but by no means any less than them! Throws his hands at a wide half-volley, ends up slicing it away towards the deep backward point fence for four. Punches the air in delight

48.1

Holder to Stokes, leg byes, 1 run, full on the pads, missed glance, trundles to square leg for a sneaked leg-bye

Jason Holder [9.0-0-54-1] is back into the attack

END OF OVER 48

8 Runs

ENG: 354 - 3

Wd 0 Wd 1 1 1 1 Wd 1

Ben Stokes

20 (24)

Joe Root

98 (95)

C Brathwaite

9-0-66-0

47.6

Brathwaite to Stokes, 1 run, full on the pads, swatted away flat towards cow corner for a single

47.6

Brathwaite to Stokes, wide, crosses the tramline again, third time this over, wide called again

47.5

Brathwaite to Root, 1 run, short ball with no pace, forces a pull through deep square leg

47.4

Brathwaite to Stokes, 1 run, full-toss outside off, Stokes throws his hands at the width, gets a thick top-edge towards third man for a single

47.3

Brathwaite to Root, 1 run, on the boot, clipped away to fine leg for a single

47.2

Brathwaite to Stokes, 1 run, back of a length outside off, punched off the backfoot towards deep extra cover for a single