England will be looking for a repeat performance as they continue their ODI series against West Indies, who are desperately searching for answers after a comprehensive defeat.
A decade after England’s white-ball revolution began at Edgbaston in 2015 with a then-record 408 for 6 against New Zealand, the same venue witnessed a similar batting onslaught, with England scoring 400 against West Indies. This dominant display was highlighted by all of England’s top seven batsmen registering scores of 30 or more, with Jacob Bethell’s 82 off 53 balls being particularly impressive.
However, the current parallels end there. While England’s performance was commendable, the quality of the opposition wasn’t on par with the Brendon McCullum-inspired New Zealand side of 2015. West Indies’ struggles are evident in their failure to qualify for the last two ICC 50-over tournaments (the 2023 World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy). Their recent bowling display was uninspired, followed by a batting performance lacking substance. Had it not been for Jayden Seales’ unexpected 29 not out at No.11, it would have been their heaviest ODI defeat in history.
This outcome doesn’t bode well for West Indies for the remainder of the series, though England, having recently endured a seven-match losing streak (their worst since 2001), will gladly welcome continued one-sided traffic.
The only negative for England from the first match was Jamie Overton’s finger injury, which has now been diagnosed as a fracture, ruling him out of the rest of the white-ball series. On the positive side, Saqib Mahmood’s excellent control of line and length in the powerplay showcased his value, and Brydon Carse’s successful return from a severe toe injury was a significant boost given his anticipated workload this summer.
In batting, Jamie Smith’s promotion to open proved an immediate success with his powerful and well-placed shots. Harry Brook continued his impressive leadership, scoring his fourth consecutive half-century in his sixth match as captain, and first in an official capacity.
West Indies, however, has little to celebrate. Gudakesh Motie was their best bowler, but his figures of 0 for 39 from seven overs weren’t impactful. While Seales’ 4 for 84 provided some reward for his effort, the batting unit never found its rhythm. The return of Evin Lewis from a groin injury might provide some much-needed impetus at the top of the order. However, with Sherfane Rutherford and Romario Shepherd unavailable due to IPL commitments, it’s clear that West Indies’ cricketing issues run deeper than individual absences.
