West Indies cruise to victory over inexperienced England in ODI series opener

West Indies dominate England in rain-affected ODI opener with Lewis' big-hitting leading to eight-wicket victory.

The West Indies cruised to an eight-wicket victory over an experimental England side in Antigua on Thursday (October 31, 2024) in the rain-affected opener of their One-Day International series.

A week after the test team slumped to a series defeat in Pakistan, England named four ODI debutants for the first of three matches against the West Indies, and their rookie line-up laboured to a disappointing 209 all out from their innings.

The hosts made a fine start to their reply before a rain delay gave them a new target via the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern (DLS) method, one they strolled to with nine overs to spare.

Their pursuit was made easier thanks to a big-hitting 94 from Evin Lewis.

England get the chance to redeem themselves at the same Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Saturday, before the third and final ODI of the series takes place in Barbados next Wednesday.

"I think the test we have to come over the next few games is to get into the rhythms of 50-over cricket," England captain Liam Livingstone said.

"We have to get up to speed as quickly as possible. We know someone in the top six has to get a big score."