England and the West Indies prepare for Wednesday’s decisive third ODI

est Indies captain Shai Hope says the third One Day International between West Indies and England, this Wednesday at the historic Kensington Oval in Barbados, is “a great occasion.” The three-match series is now keenly poised, after the visitors bounced back from a massive defeat in the opening game to post a record-breaking, morale-boosting win in the second fixture.

With the first two games having been played at the Sir Viv Richards Cricket Stadium in North South, Antigua & Barbuda, the series is now 1-1. What might have been a dead rubber in midweek is now a series decider, with the tourists having seized the momentum.

That hardly seemed possible after last Thursday’s opening match, which the hosts dominated. After dismissing the Three Lions for just 209, the West Indies chased down a rain-adjusted score of 157 for just two wickets with 55 balls to spare.

On Saturday, the Men in Maroon rang up 328-6 batting first, Shai Hope 117 (his 17th in ODI cricket), Keacy Carty 71, and Sherfane Rutherford 54. It was one of the biggest totals ever at that venue, and the series appeared to be all but over at that stage.

But stand-in England captain Liam Livingstone delivered a player-of-the-match performance, outdoing his opposite number by scoring an unbeaten 124m his maiden 100, off just 85 balls. Phil Salt made a run-a-ball 59, and Barbados-born Jacob Bethell added a fine 55 from 57 deliveries, and Sam Curran a run-a-ball 52 to help England chase down the huge target with 15 balls left.

Hope’s 17th ODI century moved him joint third on the West Indies all-time list with the great Desmond Haynes, and behind other legends Brian Lara and Chris Gayle. It was as good a display as he has ever done in front the stumps; but could only watch from behind the stumps as Livingstone announced his arrival, the 97 overs yielding close to 700 runs.

“This is the biggest game of the series… a great occasion for us. We understand that we have a lot in front of us and a lot ahead of us and we want to play a good brand of cricket to get over the line and win the series,” Hope said. “I always preach it and I will continue to preach it, it’s about consistency… we have to be consistent, and we have to develop winning habits and a winning mentality.”

Hope, who turns 31 next week, spoke to members of the media on the outfield in front of the Garfield Sobers Pavilion. During the interaction cast an eye on the signage bearing the great man’s name, perhaps wishing he had someone of that quality for the upcoming “rivalry.” What he has in his ranks is a team who he repeatedly said are hungry for success, and an even greater hunger to “grow and learn and win.”

Hope shared more of his insight: “We have had some ups and downs, yes,… but we have been playing some good cricket. We have to ensure we have the positive mindset and believe in ourselves. The feeling is good, and we are ready to go. We understand what is at stake and it’s a final for us.”

After the first match, England’s interim coach, Marcus Trescothick, told reporters that his team was better than their performance would have indicated. Facing the relatively experienced West Indians for the third time in as many years on home soil, the English fielded a team replete with youth, inclusive of four debutants.

The home team, meanwhile, last tasted victory in an ODI series against these same opponents, nearly a full calendar year ago. With Shimron Hetmyer back in train, and the returning Evin Lewis looking in good nick, they will be confident that they can bat around the likes of Hope and Rutherford in particular.

Wednesday’s day-night game is scheduled to get underway from 2 p.m.

Although the series has been promoted as ‘The Rivalry’ this match in particular is more ‘The Arrival’ as it signals the first “home” match for Jacob Bethell, the Bajan who has pledged his allegiance to England and will be wearing the three Lions on his chest. The 21-year-old is a graduate of Harrison College and a member of Wanderers Cricket Club and the “Bethell Posse” of 300-strong is expected to greet him when he sets foot on the hallowed turf at the famous venue.

But this contest is more than Bethell’s homecoming. It is a ‘big’ game for the home boys, if you take Shai Hope’s word for it. The West Indies skipper talked up the matchups as he spoke on the eve of the match. He stayed away from discussing the pitch in detail – but no one half expects it to be like the pluperfect batting paradise which greeted the teams. If it is, the fans – both home and away – are in for a massive threat and entertainment under the lights.

The rain may play a part, as thunderstorms are in the forecast. Dating back to 2009, West Indies have won three of their last four encounters against England at Kensington. Stretching further back to 1986, the West Indies have won just six of their 13 matches against this team, the most recent of which was last year.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) over the weekend announced a special reduction in ticket prices for the upcoming ODI and T20I matches at the Oval, from as low as BDS $14. This initiative mirrors the Independence Day celebration offer for fans in Antigua & Barbuda, allowing Barbadian fans the opportunity to experience the thrill of West Indies cricket at an even more affordable price.

Aside from Shai Hope, the West Indies squad features two other Barbadians – Roston Chase and Matthew Forde, with Archer and Bethell on the other side.

Following the decisive third ODI on Wednesday, there will be two T20 Internationals this weekend, from 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

(PS/TF)