Lewis shines in Windies’ big win in rain-affected ODI

ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC):

A stellar all-round bowling performance and a rapid 94 off 69 balls from Evin Lewis led the West Indies to a commanding eight-wicket victory under the DLS method over England in their rain-hit first ODI in Antigua.

Pacers Jayden Seales, Matthew Forde, and Alzarri Joseph each took two wickets, while spinner Gudakesh Motie claimed four, as England was bowled out for 209.

Chasing a revised target of 157 in 35 overs, West Indies reached it comfortably in just 25.5 overs, claiming the lead in the three-match ODI series. The second match will be played today.

Lewis is optimistic about securing a quick series win.

“We need to continue the positive cricket we have been playing and win the second game to close out the series,” Lewis emphasised.

On Thursday Lewis set the tone for the chase, hitting sixes off John Turner and Jofra Archer, with three maximums in the first 10 overs. Brandon King provided solid support, contributing boundaries that helped West Indies reach 54-0 in the powerplay.

FIVE SIXES

Lewis reached his 46-ball 50 with five sixes, leading West Indies to 81-0 in 15 overs before rain interrupted again.

The second delay adjusted the target, but didn’t slow Lewis down. He continued to dominate by scoring freely off Adil Rashid and took West Indies past the 100 mark with a flurry of fours and sixes.

King eventually fell for 30, ending a 118-run opening stand, and Lewis departed at 94, just shy of his century. Keacy Carty’s unbeaten 19 completed the chase to wrap up the win.

Earlier, England’s batters struggled to build on their starts. Seales removed Phil Salt (18) and Will Jacks (19), while Forde claimed Jordan Cox (17) and Jacob Bethell (27) to leave England wobbling.

Liam Livingstone and Sam Curran briefly stabilised the innings with a 72-run stand, picking up the pace to push England to 165-4 by the 35th over.

However, Motie’s breakthrough dismissal of Livingstone for 48 triggered an England collapse. Motie dismissed Dan Mousley (8) and Jamie Overton (0) off consecutive deliveries, and Curran fell shortly after for 37 as England slumped to 187-8.

Rashid and Archer took England past 200, but Joseph quickly wrapped up the innings at 209 in 45.1 overs.