Forde blast rocks England in final ODI

(AFP)— A dream debut by Matthew Forde rocked England as they were restricted to 206 for nine batting first against the West Indies in the decisive third and final match of their One-Day International series at Kensington Oval in Barbados on Saturday.

Steady afternoon rain had delayed the start by two hours and a further interruption near the end of the England innings saw the match reduced to 40 overs-per-side.

Based on the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern scoring method, West Indies’ target for a first ODI series win against England in 16 years has been adjusted to 205 off 40 overs.

Brought into the team in place of Oshane Thomas after the first two matches in Antigua were shared, the 21-year-old Forde claimed wickets in his first two overs and added a third in his fifth to finish with three for 29 off eight overs.

Ben Duckett offered the only substantial resistance with a pugnacious innings of 71, getting meaningful support from Liam Livingstone (45) in a stand of 88 for the sixth wicket after the visitors, who were put in, had slumped to 49 for five in the tenth over when captain Jos Buttler fell for a second-ball duck.

Given the new ball, Forde eased any nerves by removing Phil Salt to a low catch at mid-off and then had Zak Crawley taken at second slip. He added the wicket of the other opener, Phil Jacks, two overs later via a wicketkeeper’s catch.

Alzarri Joseph also claimed three wickets and effected an excellent run out off his own bowling when a scrambling Harry Brook was found short of his ground at the non-striker’s end.