Event of the Day: West Indies versus England
***3rd One Day International between West Indies and England has been cancelled due to rain.***
Our event of the day is the 3rd ODI between the West Indies and England at Grenada’s National Cricket Stadium. With the series currently tied at 1-1, it is all to play for today as both sides will look to gain the advantage in what has been a thrilling series thus far. The 1st ODI went down to the wire, but England ultimately came out on top after a consummate performance, winning by six wickets with just eight balls remaining. The second encounter was just as nail-biting as the West Indies levelled the series, winning by 26 runs on the day, setting up what should be another thrilling contest today. England’s form at the crease was ultimately too much for the West Indies’ bowling brigade to contain in the first affair, with Joe Root and Jason Roy both recording centuries. However, they also found some success bowling the ball too, as Ben Stoke and Adil Rashid both notched three wickets as they unsettled the West Indies batting order. In the 2nd match, it was England’s turn to struggle with the bat in hand, as Stokes led in the scoring ranks with 79 runs. In recent years, England have been one of the world’s best ODI sides, winning nine of the last 11 series, including a 4-0 win over today’s opponents back in 2017, and despite Friday’s result, they will remain the favourites to secure victory in this series ahead of next month’s T20 affair with the Windies.
The hosts did really bounce back to some tune in the 2nd match after they were overrun by England’s batting order in the 1st. The one shining light from the opening ODI was Chris Gayle, who, despite looking shaky at times during his innings, accumulated 135 runs from 129 balls and almost single-handedly gave England a tough target to chase. However, the hosts submitted a much more complete performance in the second meeting and overcame the English with a world-class bowling exhibition. Fast-medium bowler Sheldon Cottrell lead the way with five crucial wickets from nine overs and seriously dented England’s hope of doubling their lead in the series. His impressive contribution was backed up by his captain’s efforts, as Jason Holder notched three wickets of his own, including the decisive dismissal of Ben Stokes, who was threatening to take over the innings single-handedly. With the series tied, today is all set-up to be another thrilling game.
Honourable mentions around the globe go to the NBA as the Brooklyn Nets host the San Antonio Spurs at the Barclays Center in New York. With both sides currently occupying playoff places in their respective conferences, they will both be desperate to take the win in tonight’s game, as they look to reaffirm their spots in the race for post-season basketball. Elsewhere in the world of cricket, India and England’s Women will take to the field as they do battle in the 2nd ODI at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. A collapse from England in the opening affair means India go into today’s game 1-0 ahead in the series, after winning by 66 runs in the first, and the tourists will be desperate to bounce back in the 2nd ODI. There is also plenty of football to look out for across Europe, as Lazio host Udinese in Serie A whilst Derby will make the short trip to face Nottingham Forest in the EFL Championship. In the NHL, the Tampa Bay Lightning will take to the ice with the Los Angeles Kings as the former look to notch their ninth straight win. Finally, there is plenty of tennis to look forward to as the curtain rises on the Brasil Open with the round of 32 today.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Photos by ICC Cricket