England had a harrowing time in India under Alistair Cook. The tour was a disaster as England lost the test series 0-4 and also went down in the one -day series as well as the T-20 matches. Cook resigned his captaincy, though one thought it was a bit premature. The English selection committee selected a new look team for the West Indies tour with Eoin Morgan as captain. The results have been heartening as they have taken an unassailable lead in the 3 matches one-day series over the West Indies.The victory is all the more creditable as they have beaten the West India on their home ground.
This thrashing of the West Indies will go a long way to restoring the morale of the English team as they face Australia in the Ashes series this year.
One-day matches
Morgan's team faced the West Indies in the first one-day international at Antigua. It was a sweet victory by 45 runs. England batting first hit 296/6 in their allotted 50 overs. The captain led the way with a power packed 107. The wicket was easy paced, yet the home team mustered only 251. Plunket chipped in with 4 for 40 in 8.2 overs to seal an emphatic win.
The second match was also played on the same ground. The West Indies batted first and could manage only 225. This is a small total in a one-day game. England easily overhauled it by hitting 226 for 6 in 47.2 overs.
Joe Root the most consistent of Engish batsman over the last few seasons hit 90 not out and played a crucial role the victory. The lead is now unassailable and the third match at Barbados is only of academic interest. The matches in Antigua were a shot in the arm and a success and the West Indies board has tweeted
Amazing crowds in #Antigua. Thanks for support the 2 matches. We now move to #Barbados for the 3rd and final ODI 📸@MrSpooniverse pic.twitter.com/ypMrQRZhFG
— westindies (@westindies) March 5, 2017
Future
The One-day series is sealed and the English team must start thinking of the test series.
The wickets in the West Indies are hard and true and on their home grounds, the West Indies inevitably perform better. But the days of 4 express fast bowlers and batsmen of the caliber of Vivian Richards is over and this West Indies team is not all that formidable. The MCC team may have it easy, but all the same, they will have to play to their potential to restore their position in world rankings. Also, the Aussie clash for the Ashes is on way and England has to prepare for it.
