Dominant England seek to extend juggernaut

Overview
Windies v England2nd ODI
Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados
Friday, 22 February; 11.00am local, 20.30 GMT

A record chase from England, who are No.1-ranked ODI team in the world has already spelled ominous signs for the rest of the series. One game into a five-match series, England’s steamrolling juggernaut has instilled fear in the Windies’ hearts, not so much for the size of their 361-run chase in Barbados, but for the sheer ease with which they pulled it off.

The fielding aside, Wednesday’s performance stood for everything England want to be before the World Cup. Their bowlers took a beating, but showed heart and grit to fight back in the death overs, with Windies on course for 400. Thirty-five runs between overs 42 and 47 aren’t commonplace in an ODI innings of 360.

Windies felt the full brunt of England’s top-order might, which will continue to pose headaches for them and for teams all around the world, as the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 draws closer. Since the 2015 edition of the tournament, England’s top three have struck at 98.64 – the best in the world – and averaged 46.57 per wicket, which is second only to India. Moreover, the intimidation runs deep through an endless batting treasure, with No.10 Adil Rashid averaging over 20.

Windies aren’t quite the same formidable force in ODIs as they are in the shortest format. Their 360 in Barbados was their highest ever against England, but it was an exception, following on from an average score of 162 in four completed innings prior to that. Even so, a world-record 23 sixes – the highest ever in an ODI innings – half of which came off the bat of Chris Gayle, is testament to their destructive potential. They just need to ensure that such performances are more than a flash in the pan.

Windies dropped both the England centurions twice each in Barbados. Such lapses can be ill-afforded against any side, let alone a formidable unit such as England. Though Windies lead the overall count, England have won their last three series in the country on the trot. Now fielding arguably their strongest ODI line-up ever, a fourth successive win should reinforce expectations for them to lift their maiden World Cup in a few months’ time.

Key players

Chris Gayle (Windies): Gayle shellacked 12 sixes in Barbados and is now the holder of the most sixes in international cricket, going past Shahid Afridi’s 476. Days before making his ODI return, Gayle had sounded off a warning to bowlers around the world. One knock later, there is already the feeling that he has returned with a sense of purpose and is determined to go out with a bang. England are a tough opponent, and Windies would want that sort of intensity through this series into the World Cup.

Joe Root (England): The England Test captain takes a special liking to Windies, averaging 73.55 against them. In 11 innings against them, Root has three centuries and three fifties. Root is 219 runs short of equalling Graham Gooch’s record and becoming England’s highest ODI run-scorer against Windies. Can he get there by the end of this series?

Conditions

The last five ODIs at the Kensington Oval have had an average first-innings total of 305. Three of those matches have been won by the team batting first. Some clouds are expected and there is a slight probability of rain, but it shouldn’t truncate the match too much.

Squads

Windies: Jason Holder (c), Fabian Allen, Devendra Bishoo, Carlos Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, John Campbell, Sheldon Cottrell, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Ashley Nurse, Nicholas Pooran, Kemar Roach, Oshane Thomas

England: Eoin Morgan (c), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Joe Denly, Alex Hales, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood