Event of the Day: England v West Indies
Our event of the day...
is the first of five One Day International matches between England and the West Indies. Today’s action sees the teams face off at Old Trafford in Manchester. The ODI series will be the conclusion of what has been an action-packed tour from the visitors, with England winning a thrilling test series 2-1 and the Windies responding by winning the single T20 match between the two on Saturday. Both sides will feel they can get something from this five match series and it will be interesting to see which side gets the better start. It’s set to be an absorbing day of cricket.
According to the ICC world rankings, and the fact that they are at home, England should be the favourites to win today and the series. However, their collapse from 118-4 (chasing 177 to win) to all out for 155 in Saturday’s T20 match at Chester-le-Street will be a concern. The West Indies opening pair played well with Chris Gayle and Evin Lewis hitting a quick-fire 40 and 51 respectively but England countered well to limit the tourists to 176-9 after they were 106-1. After a strong start with Alex Hales hitting 43 of 17 balls, England’s batting collapsed with the Windies taking wickets at key moments. England will look for a reaction today, while the West Indies will be aiming to build on last weekends win. It’s a finely poised opening to what will be an enthralling series.
Honourable mentions...
go to the European Football World Cup Qualifying fixture between England Women and Russia Women at Prenton Park. The Lionesses will be confident of a strong start to their qualifying campaign having finished third in the 2015 World Cup and reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2017.
Meanwhile, the EFL Carabao Cup is back with Leicester versus Liverpool a standout all-premier league clash at the King Power Stadium in Leicester. In the tennis, the ATP Tour Moselle Open, ATP St Petersburg Open and WTA Toray Pan Pacific Open continue. In MLB, there are 15 games with the clash between the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles the pick of the games. In the UCI Road World Championships the Women Elite Individual Time Trial takes centre stage.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Fixture
Photos by ECB Cricket