Bridgetown, Barbados (AP) — In a gripping encounter at Kensington Oval, the West Indies secured a memorable four-wicket win over England, clinching the three-match series 2-1.
Keacy Carty’s resilient half-century, Romario Shepherd’s explosive 41, and Matthew Forde’s impressive all-round debut performance propelled the home team to victory with 14 balls to spare.
The match, marred by intermittent rain, saw England struggle with the bat as they were restricted to 206-9 in a rain-shortened 40-over innings.
Matthew Forde, the 21-year-old Barbadian seam bowler making his ODI debut, made an immediate impact, finishing with figures of 3-29 and contributing crucially with the bat, earning him the well-deserved Player of the Match award.
England’s woes began early as Forde rocked them with two quick wickets in his first two overs. The visitors found themselves at 8-2, with Forde dismissing Phil Salt and Zak Crawley cheaply.
Despite a valiant effort from Ben Duckett, who anchored the innings with a resilient 71, England struggled to build partnerships, slipping to 49-5 at one stage.
A rain delay further disrupted the proceedings, reducing the West Indies’ target to 188 runs in 34 overs. Alick Athanaze and Carty provided a solid foundation for the home team, stitching together a crucial 76-run partnership for the second wicket.
However, England fought back with Will Jacks, spinning his way to career-best figures of 3-22 and putting the Windies under pressure.
At 122-5, with just over ten overs remaining, the West Indies faced a challenging run chase. Carty’s composed half-century steadied the ship, but Romario Shepherd’s explosive hitting, including two sixes and a four in the 31st over, turned the game in the hosts’ favour.
Shepherd’s onslaught put the Windies in sight of victory, and they ultimately reached the target in the 32nd over, sealing the series win.
Speaking after the match, Forde expressed his joy at being part of a winning series on his debut, saying, “For me, coming in here and being part of a winning series was a dream come true.
I’m 21, and I’m living my dream.” He played a crucial supporting role in the partnership with Shepherd, guiding the team to victory.
England captain Jos Buttler acknowledged his team’s shortcomings, saying, “I think we were short with the bat.
I think that period where we were 40-2 and 50-5 set us back.” Despite a commendable effort from Duckett and Livingstone, England fell short of a competitive total.
The West Indies showcased a blend of youthful exuberance and experienced performances, with Forde’s debut heroics complemented by contributions from Athanaze and Shepherd.
The series win marks a significant achievement for the Caribbean side, highlighting their resilience and ability to bounce back after a World Cup disappointment.
The thrilling encounter between the West Indies and England captured the essence of ODI cricket, with momentum swinging back and forth.
The series win will undoubtedly boost the confidence of the West Indies team as they look ahead to future challenges. At the same time, England will need to reassess their approach to white-ball cricket after another disappointing outing.
In a series that delivered exciting cricket and showcased emerging talents, the West Indies emerged victorious, celebrating a series win and the promising debut of Matthew Forde, who announced his arrival on the international stage with a stellar all-round performance.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
