Windies vs England, 3rd ODI, Preview: Temporary advantage at stake as focus shifts to Greneda

No one saw this kind of performance coming from Windies, especially against one of the in-form sides in England. They look confident, ruthless and most importantly, on par in terms of quality. Most certainly, very few expected this ODI series to be as competitive as it is turning out to be.

With Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer and Darren Bravo in good form, they definitely can push for another huge score in Greneda. They have decent names in the lower middle order to give them a good finish and to add the confidence factor, they look very threatening.

England, on the other hand, will be eager to pull back things in their favour. They lost their touch in the second ODI and eventually surrendered by 26 runs. The biggest challenge thus far on the tour has been facing their fast bowlers for the visitors and it will be interesting to see how will they fare in that prospect.

Playing conditions

Windies

The in-form Chris Gayle will open the innings alongside the struggling John Campbell. In the middle order, they have Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer, Carlos Brathwaite and Jason Holder. Holder and Oshane Thomas will be their key bowlers with Sheldon Cottrell coming in the middle overs. Ashley Nurse, Brathwaite and Devendra Bishoo are the other bowling options for Holder.

Predicted XI: Chris Gayle, John Campbell, Shai Hope (WK), Darren Bravo, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder (C), Carlos Brathwaite, Ashley Nurse, Devendra Bishoo/Fabian Allen, Oshane Thomas.

England

Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow will continue opening for the English contingent with Joe Root, Eoin Morgan, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler and Moeen Ali coming in the middle order. Tom Curran, Mark Wood and Chris Woakes will be taking up the new ball responsibilities with Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali handling the middle overs. Adil Rashid is the other bowling option for the captain.

Predicted XI: Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (c), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (wk), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Tom Curran, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood.

Focus will be on

Shimron Hetmyer (Windies)

After missing out in the first game, Shimron Hetmyer struck back strongly and scored a brilliant hundred in the second. His exploits against India were clearly not passing clouds, he is here to make an impact on the long run. His hundred was well-constructed and there was no hurry whatsoever. With some young talents like him stepping up, Windies might pose a strong challenge in the World Cup.

Adil Rashid (England)

Easily one of the most underrated players in their setup, Adil Rashid has been performing consistently for them in recent years and is chipping in regularly with crucial wickets. He is relishing the hard and bouncy pitches here in the Caribbean and has already picked up 4 wickets in two games and the victims include Darren Bravo, Nicholas Pooran, Jason Holder and Chris Gayle. He clearly contributes less in quantity, but huge in quality.

Stat Attack

88 – Chris Gayle needs 88 runs to complete 10,000 runs in ODI cricket.

Broadcast Details

TV – Sony ESPN and Sony ESPN HD

Live Streaming – Sony LIV

Match Timings – 20:30 IST; 11:00 local

The prediction is for England to come back strongly and go 2-1 up in the series.

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