West Indies vs England 1st ODI: Match Prediction – Who will win today’s match between WI vs ENG?

England (ENG) face West Indies (WI) in the inaugural match of a three-game ODI series on December 3 at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua. Following a disappointing show at the ICC Cricket ODI World Cup 2023, England aim for redemption, eager to offer fans a reason to cheer. The stage is set for a thrilling contest as England seek to rebound and regain their cricketing prowess.

Despite Jos Buttler's underwhelming performance both as a batter and leader in the World Cup, the England Cricket Board reaffirms its faith in him to captain the team. England face a potential lack of ODI experience with the absence of Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid, Dawid Malan, and Chris Woakes. Furthermore, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, and Mark Wood are rested, while Ben Stokes' injury requires knee surgery, further challenging England's lineup for the series.

Under the guidance of Shai Hope, West Indies have introduced Sherfane Rutherford and Matthew Forde, both uncapped, into their squad. Shane Dowrich makes a return for the first time after his 2019 ODI appearance. However, the absence of Jason Holder and Nicholas Pooran in the 50-over format, who have opted for the shorter format, has left a gap in the team for this series.

WI vs ENG Match Details:

Sir Vivian Richards Stadium Pitch Report

At Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, the pitch offers fair opportunities for both batters and bowlers. As the game progresses, the pitch tends to flatten, favouring batters in the latter half. Teams aim to score above 300 runs batting first. However, the ground faced an embarrassing moment in 2009 during England's visit, with only 10 balls bowled before the match was abandoned due to an outfield resembling a sand dune, rendering bowling run-ups impossible. Subsequent renovations aimed to create a balanced pitch for batting and bowling.

Check Here: WI vs ENG, 1st ODI - Live Cricket Score

WI vs ENG Head-to-Head Record in ODIs:

WI vs ENG Probable Playing XI:

West Indies:

Shai Hope (C) (WK), Brandon King, Alick Athanaze, Roston Chase, Shimron Hetmyer, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Alzarri Joseph, Yannic Cariah, Matthew Forde, Oshane Thomas

England:

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Phil Salt, Ollie Pope, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (C) (WK), Will Jacks, Sam Curran, Brydon Carse, Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson

Probable Top Performers from WI vs ENG

Probable Best Batter:

Jos Buttler (England)

Jos Buttler's World Cup stint as skipper faltered, the burden of captaincy seemingly impacting his performance. Across nine matches, Buttler managed a mere 138 runs at an underwhelming average of 15.33. Expectations are higher for the captain in the upcoming three-game ODI series. Buttler's form holds immense sway, capable of either propelling England towards victory or leading them into another disappointing defeat.

Probable Best Bowler:

Gus Atkinson (England)

Gus Atkinson's debut call-up to England's World Cup squad stemmed from stellar County Championship and The Hundred performances. The rapid Surrey bowler hit 95 mph in The Hundred, notably unsettling Jos Buttler in a fiery encounter. Despite limited appearances—14 first-class matches, 2 List A games, and 41 T20s—Atkinson's prowess poses a threat to West Indies' batters. Come Sunday, he stands as the potential leading wicket-taker, capable of causing consistent trouble.

                                  Today’s Match Prediction: England to win the match

Also Check: WI vs ENG Dream11

Disclaimer: The prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.