England vs Windies 2017, 1st ODI- 5 Talking Points

Windies locked horns with the hosts England in Manchester with an aim to win the series 5-0 for an automatic qualification into 2019 World Cup. But all their hopes were shattered by the brilliance of Jonny Bairstow who scored his maiden ODI ton and guided his team to a 7-wicket victory. The Caribbean side will now have to play World Cup qualifiers next year in Zimbabwe.

After opting to bat first in the rain-curtailed game, the visitors got off to a prolific start courtesy Chris Gayle who announced his comeback in ODI cricket after 2 years. But they lost their way in the middle with quick wickets and could only cross 200-run mark due to Jason Holder’s cameo. Chasing 205 in 42 overs couldn’t pose any challenge in front of the hosts as they cantered home with more than 11 overs left. Bairstow remained unbeaten and Joe Root scored a superb half-century. England has taken a 1-0 lead in the 5-match ODI series as the focus now shifts to Trent Bridge.

Here we bring you the talking points of the game:

1. The comeback of Chris Gayle in ODIs

The ‘Universal Boss’ Chris Gayle was the centre of attraction as the game started amidst the rain delay. He returned to 50-overs cricket for the first time since 2015 Cricket World Cup. He did what he does in T20 cricket and entertained the fans while he was at the crease. After being dropped off the third ball of the match, Gayle took the attack to Chris Woakes by hitting a six and a four. He enjoyed his stay in the middle and scored 37 off just 27 balls with 2 fours and 3 sixes before being sent back by Root’s stunning catch.

2. Bairstow pulls off a blinder

After losing Gayle and Lewis in quick succession, Shai Hope and Marlon Samuels consolidated and added 50 in next 15 overs. Both were set to attack the bowlers in the last 20 overs but the former was dismissed in the 24th over as Bairstow pulled off a blinder. The third delivery of Ben Stokes’ over was pulled by the batsman ferociously but he timed his jump perfectly and plucked a flat, fast chance in both hands at deep midwicket. The catch proved to be the turning point as the visitors never recovered from that blow.

3. Struggling Marlon Samuels

Unlike Chris Gayle, Samuels could not enjoy his return to the limited overs cricket as he struggles from the word go. The bowlers strangled him with their disciplined bowling as he could not even rotate the strike. Hope’s dismissal put him under more pressure and after eating up all the balls threw his wicket away by feathering the delivery which was down the leg-side. The painful stay of Marlon ended in the 26th over and he could only muster 17 off 46 balls without being able to hit a single boundary.

4. Maiden ton for Bairstow

Jonny Bairstow proved his worth and justified the decision of team management of choosing him ahead of Jason Roy. After an early exit of Alex Hales, the Yorkshire boys got into the act and kept pecking at the target with supreme ease. Bairstow and Root were comfortably and gunned down the target with utter ease. Especially the former who was at his fluent best as he reached his maiden century with only 2 runs needed. The opener carried his bat with a 100 against his name off 97 balls with 11 fours as England won the game by 7 wickets.

5. All-Round brilliance of Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes once again showed his prowess with both bat and ball and continued from where he left in Test series. He picked the wickets of Shai Hope and Samuels as both were looking dangerous after a decent partnership and then snaffled the tail-ender Jerome Taylor at the death. During the chase, he stopped a possible collapse as England had lost Root and Eoin Morgan in quick succession and finished the game with a six along with Bairstow. His overall contribution to the game was 3/43 in 9 overs and an unbeaten 23 off only 10 cherries with 1 four and couple of hits over the ropes.