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In the first ODI between West Indies and England, West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph stunned spectators with an incredible catch to dismiss England’s Philip Salt, helping the hosts secure an early advantage.
Alzarri Joseph’s stunning catch breaks England’s opening stand
The match witnessed a memorable moment in the ninth over of England’s innings when Joseph took a sensational catch to dismiss Salt. The England opener attempted an off-stump lofted shot on a delivery by Jayden Seales but failed to get his footwork right, resulting in a mistimed shot high into the air over mid-off. Demonstrating impressive speed and concentration, Joseph turned, ran back with his eyes fixed on the ball, and stretched both hands to complete the catch as it sailed over his shoulder. His athleticism earned widespread applause and gave West Indies their first breakthrough, with Salt departing after scoring 18 off 29 balls.
Here is the video:
A stunner of a catch from the home boy, Alzarri Joseph!🤯🇦🇬 #TheRivalry | #WIvENG pic.twitter.com/4CAeLHN0o3
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) October 31, 2024
Also READ: Gudakesh Motie, Evin Lewis power West Indies to victory over England in 1st ODI
Rain alters West Indies’ target to 157
Put in to bat first, England faced challenges and could only manage to score 209 before being bowled out in 45.1 overs. Skipper Liam Livingstone led the batting effort, scoring a gritty 48. Despite his efforts, England’s lineup struggled to gain momentum against West Indies’ disciplined bowling attack. Gudakesh Motie was the standout bowler for the hosts, claiming four wickets over his full 10-over spell, significantly restricting England’s scoring potential and setting up a modest target for the Caribbean side.
The match was interrupted by heavy rain, reducing West Indies’ innings to a 35-over chase under the DLS method. With a revised target of 157 runs in sight, the West Indies began their chase with confidence, needing a strong batting performance to claim victory. They reached the target in just 25.5 overs, losing only two wickets in the process and clinching the match by eight wickets with plenty of time to spare.
Evin Lewis dominates England bowlers
Opening batter Evin Lewis was the star of West Indies’ chase, nearly scoring a century. He smashed 94 off just 69 deliveries, hitting five fours and eight towering sixes at an impressive strike rate of 136.23. Although Lewis narrowly missed out on a well-deserved century, his dominant performance was pivotal in guiding the West Indies to a comfortable win over England.
For his exceptional bowling performance, Motie was rightfully awarded the Player of the Match. His four-wicket haul not only hindered England’s run flow but also set up an attainable chase for his team.