England were left in a spin by Gudakesh Motie’s haul of four for 41 as the West Indies were set 210 to win the series-opening ODI in Antigua.
A top four, including one of four debutants in Jordan Cox, all mustered between 17 and 27 before contributing to their own demise, albeit in tricky conditions where scoring was difficult and the odd ball stuck in the pitch.
Liam Livingstone, deputising as captain for the injured Jos Buttler in this three-match series, and Sam Curran consolidated with a 72-run stand in 84 balls before Motie prised out both.
A huge day with the ball for Motie as he grabs his 2️⃣nd 4 wicket haul in ODIs!🌴🏏#TheRivalry | #WIvENG pic.twitter.com/0Ud7gDmCSN
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) October 31, 2024
From 165 for four, when Livingstone limply prodded back to the slow left-armer for 48 off 49 balls just as he looked to inject some impetus into proceedings, England collapsed to 209 all out in 45.1 overs.
As well as Cox, Dan Mousley, Jamie Overton and John Turner were handed their ODI bows but England’s inexperience shone through after they were asked to bat, with all of the top six making starts but no one kicking on.
Michael Pepper was kept waiting for a first international appearance and a dream opening pairing for headline writers with Phil Salt, who instead teamed up with Will Jacks.
Salt and Jacks were solid if unspectacular, each taking two fours in an over off Matthew Forde but struggling to pierce the infield off Jayden Seales, who conceded just eight from his five-over burst.
We post 209 in the first innings.
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 31, 2024
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🌴 #WIvENG 🏴 | #EnglandCricket pic.twitter.com/GN3Nq9ld3U
The fast bowler also snared both England openers to false shots, with Alzarri Joseph running back from mid-off to take a skier off Salt for 18 and Motie holding on at the second attempt when Jacks miscued straight up in the air.
Cox took 12 off his first 16 balls but got bogged down and collected five off his next 14 before losing patience from his 31st delivery, skewing to Keacy Carty.
While Jacob Bethell showed promise, nailing two pulls then a deliberate steer for three fours in an over off Joseph, he got a leading edge to another heave to extra cover to depart for 27 as he became the fourth England batter to reach double figures but fail to get to 30.
At 93 for four in the 21st over, Livingstone and Curran settled at first on low-risk accumulation. Wily off-spinner Roston Chase did not concede a boundary until his ninth over, when he was belted back over his head for six by Livingstone.
🧢 #276 Jordan Cox
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 31, 2024
🧢 #277 Dan Mousley
🧢 #278 Jamie Overton
🧢 #279 John Turner
Our four ODI debutants for today's game, go well lads! 👏
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🌴 #WIvENG 🏴 | #EnglandCricket pic.twitter.com/PYRkf2aUXf
Chase was deposited into the stands again in his final over by Livingstone, who was put down on 44 after getting in a tangle and poking to short midwicket, where Shimron Hetmyer spilled a low chance.
Livingstone perished five balls later, perhaps deceived by a hint of turn but still tamely poking a return catch back to Motie, who ran roughshod over England thereafter.
Mousley holed out for eight while Overton missed a sweep and was struck on the pad, with the not out decision overturned on review. Motie had his fourth when Sam Curran, who had been dropped on 27, thumped straight down the throat of long-on to depart for 37 off 56 balls.
Adil Rashid whipped his wrists in trademark fashion to take a couple of fours and carry England beyond 200 but he was last batter out after miscuing Joseph to mid-on.
