England tour of West Indies 2024 2nd ODI WI vs ENG Live Score and ball by ball Commentary

With West Indies leading 1-0 in the three-match series, the pressure mounts on England as they head into the second ODI at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua. West Indies clinched the first match by 8 wickets, thanks to a dominant display from their bowlers and a brilliant knock by Evin Lewis. England, on the other hand, struggled to adapt to the conditions and now face a must-win scenario to stay alive in the series. Here’s what we can expect as both teams gear up for this high-stakes encounter. West Indies couldn’t have asked for a better start to the series. Their bowlers were on point, dismissing England for a modest 209. Gudakesh Motie was particularly impressive, keeping things tight with his left-arm spin, which troubled the English middle order. Motie’s ability to keep the runs in check while taking wickets was critical in stifling England’s scoring rate. Supported by Alzarri Joseph and Jayden Seales, who took key wickets upfront, West Indies’ bowlers set the stage for their batters to capitalize. Evin Lewis took full advantage, smashing a quickfire 94 off just 69 balls, setting the tone for a comfortable chase. His aggressive approach, combined with some controlled batting from Brandon King and Keacy Carty, allowed West Indies to overhaul England’s total with ease. The team has shown that their players can adapt to their home conditions, especially in handling rain disruptions that led to a revised target in the first ODI. Captain Shai Hope will likely stick to a similar game plan for the second match, encouraging his bowlers to strike early and maintain pressure. Given the success of their seamers and spinners alike, Hope has a well-rounded attack to call upon. This balance in their lineup provides West Indies an edge, particularly on pitches that assist both pace and spin. England has little time to recover from their first-match loss. The team’s top order faltered against the West Indies seamers, and their middle order didn’t fare much better against Motie’s spin. The absence of a substantial score from any of their main batters left England vulnerable, especially as they struggled to handle the pace and turn on offer. Liam Livingstone, who was England’s stand-in captain for the series, mentioned post-match that England failed to adapt to the conditions, which will be a critical focus as they prepare for the second ODI. England’s top six must step up, with senior players like Phil Salt and Will Jacks needing to anchor the innings. A cautious start may be prudent to avoid early wickets, but at the same time, they need to score briskly enough to put pressure on West Indies’ bowlers. England’s middle order also has a crucial role; players like Liam Livingstone and Sam Curran must find ways to rotate strike and build partnerships, as this was an area that faltered in the first ODI. Livingstone’s off-spin might also be an asset on a pitch that seems to suit spin bowling, and he may look to use himself as an additional bowling option. England’s attack, which includes Jofra Archer and Adil Rashid, needs to show more discipline and consistency, as they gave away runs in crucial moments in the first ODI. Archer, in particular, can exploit early movement if he finds the right length. The challenge for England’s bowlers will be to remove Evin Lewis early, given his destructive capability at the top of the order. The Sir Vivian Richards Stadium has historically offered some assistance for pacers, especially with the new ball, but as the game progresses, spinners tend to come into play. This was evident in the first ODI, where Motie’s spin proved challenging. With rain likely to affect play again, both teams may have to brace for another adjusted target. West Indies’ superior adaptability to DLS conditions in the first match gives them a psychological advantage, as they’ll likely be more comfortable with on-the-spot changes. For England, it may be wise to bat first if they win the toss, giving them an opportunity to post a formidable total and put West Indies under pressure. Their batting lineup has the firepower but lacks the consolidation that a few well-paced partnerships could provide. The English spinners will also have a role to play, given that this surface seems to have more for the slow bowlers than initially expected. Evin Lewis will be the focal point in West Indies’ batting lineup after his explosive innings in the first ODI. His quick runs upfront can shift momentum and allow the middle order to build on his foundation. Gudakesh Motie will again be crucial, especially if the pitch shows signs of turn. His disciplined lines and variations will test England’s batters, and he’ll look to replicate his restrictive performance to keep their scoring under control. Liam Livingstone’s experience and form will be critical to England’s batting efforts. A solid start from him could set the tone for a large total, which might relieve some of the pressure on their middle order. Adil Rashid or Jofra Archer, meanwhile, can be a game-changer with the new ball if he can find some early breakthroughs. His ability to move the ball will be key to destabilizing West Indies’ top order. West Indies enter the match with confidence and momentum, which could make all the difference in a series this short. However, if England can regroup and show the tenacity they’re known for, they could make a strong comeback. The second ODI promises a thrilling contest as England looks to level the series, while West Indies seeks to seal it with another emphatic performance.