West Indies vs England, 2nd ODI: 5 Talking Points

England continued their winning ways and defeated the Caribbeans by 4 wickets in the 2nd ODI at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the 3 match series. The visitors had to work really hard for their victory after they were stuttering big time during their run chase. Riding on useful contributions by Jason Mohammed, Jonathan Carter and Kraigg Brathwaite the hosts managed to post 225 in 47.5 overs.

England was reduced to 124/6 and it was the duo of Joe Root and Chris Woakes who held their nerves and completed a 4 wicket victory for the visitors. With the series already pocketed England might ring in a couple of changes in the 3rd ODI at the Kensington Oval in Barbados scheduled for 9th March.

That said here we have a look at 5 talking from the 2nd ODI

1. Liam Plunkett bags 3/32

Medium pacer Liam Plunkett was the wrecker in chief for the visitors and bagged three crucial wickets which allowed them to restrict the hosts to 225. Plunkett was introduced into the attack in the 11th over and the medium pacer conceded only 11 runs in his first 4 overs. He came back for his 2nd spell in the 37th over and immediately dismissed Jason Mohammed in the 2nd delivery of the over.

He added one more to his kitty BY dismissing dangerman Jonathan Carter when the southpaw was taking the English bowlers apart. It was a slower delivery and Carter swung across the line but managed to top edge it straight to mid off fielder. His final wicket came in the 48t over when he breached through Devendra Bishoo’s defence.

2. Jonathan Carter smashes 36 balls 39

Hard-hitter Jonathan Carter’s quickfire innings provided West Indies with a bit of momentum towards the later stages of the innings after they were stuttering midway in their run chase. The southpaw joined Jason Mohammed in the middle in the 30th over and opened his account by smashing Steven Finn for a boundary through the cover point region.

Boundaries flew from his bat even as his partner Jason Mohammed was dismissed in the 37th over. He struck a monstrous six of Moeen Ali as he stepped down the track and went straight over the bowler’s head. His innings of 39 of 36 balls contained 2 fours and a solitary six.

Also read: WI v ENG, 2nd ODI Review: Woakes, Root power England to unassailable 2-0 lead

3. Ashely Nurse’s impressive spell

The Caribbean off-spinner was brilliant with the ball in hand in the 2nd ODI but his 3 wicket haul went in vain as the hosts lost the 2nd ODI and with that, they lost the series 2-0 with a match still to go. Nurse was introduced into the attack in the 11th over and got his first breakthrough in the 3rd over. Jason Roy attempted a big shot but was eventually held out at the deep.

His 2nd wicket came in his 6th over when he dismissed English captain Eoin Morgan with a delivery which went on with the arm and struck his pads plumb in front. Despite going for the review, replays clearly showed it would have crashed onto the stumps.

4. Joe Root’s match winning performance

The mainstay of the English batting order once again ensured his team reached the target with utmost comfort in the end. He batted sensibly and along with Chris Woakes ensured England chased down the total with 6 wickets in hand after being reduced to 124/6 at one stage. Root played the sheet anchor’s role to perfection and rotated the strike along perfectly.

The modern master struck only 3 fours during his unbeaten innings of 90 and like always gave a huge prize tag on his wicket. It was because of Root, Woakes was also able to play freely and chased down the target in the 48th over. His unbeaten innings of 90 came in 127 deliveries.

Also read: Twitter Reactions: Joe Root – Chris Woakes partnership steers England to series victory

5. Chris Woakes heroics wins it for the visitors

Woakes joined Root in the middle with England tottering at 124/6. This was the last recognised pair for the visitors and the duo started steadying the ship. The all-rounder began slowly and struck the odd boundaries here and there. He began with a boundary of Jason Mohammed and there was no looking back for him from then.

He struck some lusty blows during his innings of 68 which contained 5 fours and 2 sixes. He was quite brilliant and played the shots over extra cover to perfection. He was there till the end to ensure England reached the target with 4 wickets in hand and more than two overs to go.