ST JOHN’S, Antigua- West Indies ODI captain Shai Hope is now the joint third highest century maker for the Caribbean team in One Day Internationals after notching a 17th century. Still, the West Indies went down by five wickets to England in a record-breaking run chase on Saturday to leave the three-match series tied at one apiece.
Sent into bat, the West Indies found themselves in early trouble when Brandon King 7 and Evin Lewis 4 departed with the score at 12 for 2 inside the fourth over.
Captain Hope and Keacy Carty started a stabilizing act and resurrected the innings with a 143 run third wicket stand.
The pair pounced on any bad deliveries and combined that with aggressive running between the wickets to put the home team on the front foot.
In a partnership which lasted 163 balls, Carty composed 71 from 77 balls with five fours and six.
Hope treated the spectators to delightful stroke play, caressing the ball to the boundary eight times while showing his power in clearing the ropes four times.
While Carty departed to Adil Rashid in the 31st over, Hope was relentless, equalling the record of fellow Barbadian Desmond Haynes with 17 centuries, playing a crisp drive to the deep cover boundary.
Hope soaked up the rapturous applause from the supporters in attendance with a nonchalant wave of the bat but acknowledged the monumental occasion as he basked in the moment with hands raised.
Following that, the in form Sherfane Rutherford changed the gear of the innings with an entertaining 54 off 36 balls.
The left hander slammed four fours and three towering sixes to register a fourth consecutive half century in the format.
When he departed at 234 for 4 in the 40th over, Shimron Hetmyer wasted no time in smashing three sixes in 11 balls for his 24 which signalled the intent to close out the innings with a flourish.
Hope eventually lost his wicket for 117 off 127 balls in the 47th over with the team at 297 for 6.
He now has nine centuries in the format since 2020, the most by any player at the international level.
Matthew Forde added to the impetus of the innings with 23 from 11 balls including three sixes in the last over to prop the score up to a competitive 328 for 6 from 50 overs.
In the defence of the target, Forde used the momentum with the bat to create inroads with the ball as he removed opener Will Jacks for 12 in the 5th over.
Debutant Shamar Joseph was too quick for Jordan Cox and he lobbed an easy catch to Hope to make the score 63 for 2.
Phil Salt and Jacob Bethell began a repairing effort in a 44 run third wicket stand but once again Forde found the magic moment in dislodging Salt in tandem with Gudakesh Motie who took a good high catch.
Bethell continued his push with a maiden half century, but Roston Chase brought this to an end for 55.
With the door opening and the home team on course for a series clinching win, captain Liam Livingstone played a blinder of an innings to wrestle the advantage from the West Indies.
The stand in captain shared in a 140 run fifth wicket stand with Sam Curran who made a run a ball 52.
Livingstone who registered a maiden ODI century belted five fours and nine sixes in his knock of 124 from 85 balls to carry his team over the line at 329 for 5 with 15 balls to spare.
It was the highest successful run chase at the venue in ODIs and the second highest in the Caribbean.
Matthew Forde was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 48 while there were wickets for Shamar Joseph and Roston Chase.
West Indies vs England ODI Series Schedule
1st CG UNITED ODI: 31 October 2024- Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua
Result: West Indies won by 8 wickets
2nd CG UNITED ODI: 2 November 2024- Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua
Result: England won by 5 wickets
3rd CG UNITED ODI: 6 November 2024- Kensington Oval Barbados
West Indies vs England T20I Series Schedule:
1st T20 International: 9 November 2024- Kensington Oval, Barbados.
2nd T20 International: 10 November 2024- Kensington Oval, Barbados
3rd T20 International: 14 November 2024- Daren Sammy Stadium, St Lucia
4th T20 International: 16 November 2024- Daren Sammy Stadium, St Lucia
5th T20 International: 17 November 2024- Daren Sammy Stadium, St Lucia
Source: Cricket West Indies
