West Indies v England

At Georgetown, April 18, 2004. England won by two wickets. Toss: England. One-day international debut: D. J. J. Bravo.

After England's only one-day warm-up match had been washed out two days previously, it was a near-miracle that play got under way here. Guyana retained its notoriety for wet weather, but helicopters assisted the drying process and a 30-over contest was possible. It had little to commend it until the penultimate over when Read - dropped from the Test team eight days earlier after a run of low scores - struck successive balls from Collymore for six, four and six. So, having needed 20 from the last ten balls, England entered the final over with just three required.

Gough's eight-month absence from the international stage had not diminished his eye for a headline: he had claimed the game's first wicket and completed his recall by hitting the winning runs. With Lara resting his injured finger, West Indies owed their total to a curate's egg of an innings by Chanderpaul, 84 from 96 balls. He added 87 in 11 overs with Joseph. England's reply faltered after the drinks break against the variation of Gayle's spin, before Blackwell restored hope.