Windies v England
Second ODI, Antigua
Jon Lewis, newly installed as England head coach, has set two principal targets: the T20 World Cup and the Ashes. That is shorthand for winning the first and an unbeaten run in the second.
Despite two overwhelming wins in Antigua we can’t possibly say ‘job done’. For all the excellent performances by players both established and aspiring, the weakness of the opposition means comparisons with the Aussies remain premature.
The match strategy is heavily influenced by the approach of the men’s team: a positive, all-out attack; mistakes permitted. So Heather Knight set fields with only two on the leg side. The quicks targeted the off-stump and the invisible one outside it. That was enough to provide two more one-sided wins.
England batted first both times, though Knight won only one toss. They built two sizeable totals (307 and 260), but in each case they were dependent on two batters providing the bulk of the runs.
In the first encounter at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium the encouraging total of 307-7 was due largely to Nat Sciver (90) and Danni Wyatt (68). It was good to see Sciver pick up so rapidly after her self-appointed lay-off.
The second time round, only Sophia Dunkley (57) and Amy Jones (70*) built sizeable totals. Nobody else passed 25.
The early loss of Alice Capsey to injury was a blow to her and everyone who wants to see her confirm her talent at the top level. But Dunkley and another of the younger generation, Lauren Bell, have fulfilled the hopes placed on them.
Bell’s performance in the second game may prove the more significant. I am not the only supporter hoping to spot a deserving successor to Katherine Brunt and Anya Shrubsole. The 21-year-old had two wickets inside the first two overs, and finished with 4-33. That is match-winning bowling.
She received a tribute from no less a paragon of fast bowling than Sir Curtly Ambrose, who commended her combination of yorkers and short-pitched lifters.’FAST bowling!’ he exclaimed and ‘AND AGGRESSION!’
With Kate Cross in fine form at the other end, the Windies’ reply got off to the worst possible start, 8-4!
Lewis will be equally pleased with the continued advance of Charlie Dean. She is making a habit of picking up 4-fers with her off-spin.
Domestic Difficulties
The West Indies’ problems were highlighted during the Covid-hit tour of England in 2020. In the current series they are having to manage without three stars, Stafanie Taylor, Deandra Dottin (retired) and Anisa Mohammed (taking a break till March next year). That left Hayley Matthews as the only leading figure. She was duly appointed captain, but hasn’t been able to produce consistent figures (34 in the first match; three wickets in the second). Surely too much is demanded of her in the present dearth of top talent.
The 25-year-old Jamaican Rashada Williams provided a light in the darkness. She added a lone-star 54* to her 34 in the previous game. Apart from her, the lack of batting quality was all too evident.
The squad suffers from the wide spread of the constituent islands; combined training sessions remain at a premium. Only the discovery of a handful of outstanding young prospects can bring a quick release from these inbuilt handicaps. Another great West Indian fast bowler of the golden age, Courtney Walsh, is in charge of the recovery. We wish him all the best.
Results in brief:
England 307-7; West Indies 165
England 260 West Indies 118
Next match: Friday 9 December, North Sound, Antigua
