What to look for in the West Indies vs England ODI series?
The 5-match ODI series between West Indies couldn’t have got off to a more rollicking start. In a match which witnessed unprecedented number of hits flying out of the stadium, England coasted to a victory over the hosts.
This match once again underlined the nature of modern-day one-day cricket where even 350 is no longer a completely safe target. The clinical manner of England’s victory once again demonstrated what an incredible side they are in this format.
With the World Cup just a few months down the line, England have the responsibility to keep their juggernaut going. The West Indians, on the other hand, are still trying to figure out their best combination.
This series would give us a very good idea of what to expect from both the teams in the future. At the moment, the two teams are at opposing ends of the performance spectrum. England are soaring while West Indies have endured a tough time.
Let’s look at the big issues that will be addressed in this series.
Position of Gayle
Ever since he emerged as the biggest superstar of T20 cricket, Chris Gayle’s motivation to perform for the West Indies has been under doubt. He has completely given up Test cricket and even in ODI format, his performances were poor.
He made a big statement before the start of the series where he asked the fans to expect something big from him in these matches. And he has started in a grand way. Yes, his hundred wasn’t enough for victory but the way he struck the ball suggests he is not lacking any motivation to perform for West Indies.
If he keeps his form going through these 5 matches, West Indies are going to get a big boost ahead of the World Cup. However, one has to be cautious before making any predictions as his ODI form has often, in the past, gone for a toss after one good innings. Let’s see what happens next.