West Indies v England

At Gros Islet, St Lucia, May 1, 2004. West Indies won by five wickets. Toss: West Indies. Oneday international debut: I. D. R. Bradshaw.

For the first time since the Antigua Test 17 days earlier, cricket replaced the weather as the main concern, and West Indies achieved a convincing win. This came despite Trescothick's 130, his seventh one-day hundred and the highest limited-overs score against West Indies on their home turf. But his brilliant effort was quickly overshadowed by a shorter, sharper contribution - 44 in 28 balls from the precocious Dwayne Smith. The loss of Lara with West Indies 91 short of their target had left England in a strong position, and the home side began the last nine overs still 82 behind. But the next five went for 12, 10, 17, 14 and 17; during this sequence, Sarwan and Smith hit six sixes between them in 14 balls. Sarwan played the finisher's role to perfection, while a couple of Smith's whipped strokes over mid-wicket against Harmison recalled the young Viv Richards. On a good batting pitch with a sloping outfield, England's total of 281 was not quite as imposing as it looked. A direct hit by Chanderpaul finally accounted for Trescothick, while Dillon held Flintoff in comical fashion, at the third attempt, to end a useful supporting fifty.