Sports Mole previews the second 2025 One Day International match between England and the West Indies, scheduled to be played at the Sophia Gardens Cricket Ground on Sunday.
The three-match ODI series between England and the West Indies heads to the Sophia Gardens Cricket Ground in Cardiff for game two on Sunday morning.
There is a very slight chance of rain in Wales for this weekend’s match, though overcast conditions are expected, which could favour pace bowling early on.
Match preview
© Imago
Harry Brook enjoyed a triumphant debut as England’s full-time white-ball captain, as he led his team to a dominant 238-run victory over the West Indies in the opening one-day international at Edgbaston on Thursday.
The Three Lions posted a massive target of 400/8 after being put in to bat by the Windies, and that total marked the sixth time they have surpassed the 400-run mark in a one-day international.
Additionally, it was their highest ODI score in three years and their best against a Test-playing nation since clinching the World Cup in 2019, while it also brought an end to their seven-match ODI losing streak.
Perhaps the most notable stat, though, was that it was England’s highest total in any ODI without a century being scored by their batsmen, but Jacob Bethell (82), Ben Duckett (60), Brook (58) and Joe Root (57) all posted half-centuries.
With the ball, Saqib Mahmood stood out for the hosts, claiming three key top-order wickets to finish with figures of 3 for 32, and his efforts helped England dismiss the West Indies for just 162 in the 27th over, sealing their second-largest victory in ODI history by runs – surpassed only by their 242-run thrashing of Australia in Nottingham in 2018.
© Imago
Meanwhile, after a questionable performance in the series against Ireland, which included a shocking 124-run defeat in their first game, the West Indies’ performance in Edgbaston did nothing to improve the outlook around their chances of qualifying for the World Cup next year.
It was a punishing day with the ball for the West Indies, as England’s batters dominated from the start, and while Jayden Seales managed to take four wickets, he also proved costly, leaking 84 runs in his nine overs.
Chasing the mammoth target, the Windies’ top-order were unable to handle Mahmood and crumbled to 79/5 in the 15th over, with Brandon King, Justin Greaves and youngster Jewel Andrew dismissed for a combined 22 runs.
Only three West Indian batsmen surpassed 20 runs on Thursday, with Seales, batting last, ending as the visitors’ top scorer on 29, which made him just the seventh No.11 to top-score in an ODI innings.
Team News
© Imago
Veteran leg-spinner Adil Rashid marked his 150th ODI appearance with a two-wicket haul at Edgbaston and sealed the victory for England by bowling tailender Alzarri Joseph to wrap up the match.
While most of the headlines were hogged by England’s top-order, Will Jacks deserves a mention, as he continued his impressive form from the Indian Premier League and produced a solid 39 off just 24 deliveries batting at number seven.
Aside from Seales, Keacy Carty and skipper Shai Hope were the only other West Indian batsmen to post scores over 20 runs, and if the visitors are to have a chance of levelling the series, they will need much more from those two on Sunday.
Alzarri Joseph and Justin Greaves finished with respectable figures of 2/69 and 2/68 in 10 overs, respectively, while Matthew Forde will need to find major improvement with the new ball, having gone for 88 runs in eight overs and ending wicketless.
England squad: Harry Brook (c), Luke Wood, Gus Atkinson, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Tom Hartley, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Matthew Potts, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jamie Smith
West Indies squad: Shai Hope (c), Jewel Andrew, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Justin Greaves, Amir Jangoo, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Gudakesh Motie, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd
Series so far
ODI 1 of 3: England won by 238 runs
England – 400/8 (50)
West Indies – 162 (26.2)
© PA Photos
We say: England to win
Given the margin of defeat and just how poorly they played at Edgbaston, it is difficult to make much of a case for the West Indies to level the series this weekend. Therefore, we feel England will secure the series win by going 2-0 up in this one.
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