West Indies seize first ODI series win over England in 25 years
Key Points(4)
- Their unbroken stand ensured a victory with 14 balls to spare under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The contest remained in the balance with 33 runs required off the last 24 balls when Shepherd turned the tide in West Indies' favor.
- He said, "There's so much history in cricket it's hard to keep up sometimes, but any time we win, especially on home turf, [is pleasing].
- At this point, the home team required 53 runs off 50 balls for victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shepherd then played a heroic role, scoring three fours and three sixes, while Forde provided crucial support.
- Their partnership proved pivotal in securing West Indies' first series win over England in 16 years, marking a memorable triumph for the home side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->
West Indies achieved a historic One-Day International (ODI) series victory over England on Caribbean soil for the first time in 25 years, prevailing with a nail-biting four-wicket win on a rain-affected Saturday evening in a thrilling encounter at Kensington Oval in Barbados.
Chasing a revised target of 188 runs from 34 overs under the floodlights, West Indies faced a challenging situation when they slumped to 135 for six in the 26th over. Despite a half-century from Keacy Carty (50 off 58 balls) and Alick Athanaze (45 off 51 balls), the hosts were in danger of losing their grip on the match.
However, the resilient Romario Shepherd, scoring an unbeaten 41 not out off 28 balls, played a crucial role in a match-defining 56-run partnership for the seventh wicket alongside debutant Matthew Forde (13 not out). Their unbroken stand ensured a victory with 14 balls to spare under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method.
The contest remained in the balance with 33 runs required off the last 24 balls when Shepherd turned the tide in West Indies' favor. He launched successive sixes from the first two deliveries of the 31st over, bowled by pacer Gus Atkinson (2-58), which yielded 24 runs, firmly shifting the momentum.
Shai Hope delighted with the victory
West Indies captain Shai Hope expressed his delight with the victory, emphasizing the significance of winning on home turf. He said, "There's so much history in cricket it's hard to keep up sometimes, but any time we win, especially on home turf, . We need to defend our home turf, so it's great to see the guys putting up these performances, and hopefully this will give some cheer to the West Indian fans."
Local talent Matthew Forde had earlier put in a standout performance, claiming the Man-of-the-Match award with figures of three for 29. His efforts helped limit England to 206 for nine in a match initially reduced to 43 overs per side, then further reduced to 40 overs due to rain interruptions.
Ben Duckett top-scored for England with 71 runs from 73 deliveries, and Liam Livingstone contributed 45 runs from 56 balls. However, England struggled to build partnerships consistently, losing wickets in clusters throughout their innings.
For West Indies, fast bowler Alzarri Joseph complemented Forde's efforts with three wickets for 61 runs, while Romario Shepherd chipped in with two for 50. Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie maintained a tight line and length, conceding only 23 runs in his eight-over spell.
Dismantling England's top order
Forde played a pivotal role in dismantling England's top order during a devastating new-ball spell, reducing England to 49 for five in the 10th over. He dismissed key batsmen like Phil Salt (4), Zak Crawley (0), and Will Jacks (17), setting the stage for England's early troubles.
England's innings received further setbacks when Harry Brook was run out for one and Jos Buttler was dismissed on the first ball he faced. Duckett and Livingstone's partnership steadied the ship, but it was Shepherd who broke their stand.
Following a rain delay at 161 for seven after 33 overs, Joseph made quick work of the tail, claiming two more wickets to leave England at 171 for nine. However, a gutsy last-wicket partnership between Gus Atkinson (20 not out) and Matthew Potts (15 not out) pushed England's total past the 200-run mark.
An early setback
West Indies' chase began with an early setback as Brandon King (1) was dismissed in the second over. Athanaze led the rebuilding phase with an aggressive knock, striking seven fours in a 76-run partnership with Carty.
However, a middle-order collapse saw West Indies lose five wickets for 57 runs, with Carty (50) departing soon after reaching his second ODI half-century. At this point, the home team required 53 runs off 50 balls for victory.
Shepherd then played a heroic role, scoring three fours and three sixes, while Forde provided crucial support. Their partnership proved pivotal in securing West Indies' first series win over England in 16 years, marking a memorable triumph for the home side.
