Stokes extracts a small measure of revenge
The Plays of the Day from the third ODI between West Indies and England in Bridgetown
George Dobell in Bridgetown
09-Mar-2017
Reunion of the day
There was a great deal of talk before the series about the reunion between Ben Stokes and Carlos Brathwaite. Infamously, the last time they were in direct combat with one another, Brathwaite clubbed Stokes for four successive sixes to win the final of the World T20. As it was, we had to wait until the 76th over of the third ODI of the series for Stokes to bowl at Brathwaite again, but the moment did not disappoint. Stokes' first delivery kept horribly low and cut back to strike Brathwaite on the pads. For unfathomable reasons, umpire Gregory Brathwaite (apparently no relation...) initially gave the batsman not out, though DRS ensured the right decision was reached eventually. It was, no doubt, a sweet moment for Stokes. But he would be the first to admit that a wicket in a dead-rubber ODI is no substitute for winning a global limited-overs trophy.
There was a great deal of talk before the series about the reunion between Ben Stokes and Carlos Brathwaite. Infamously, the last time they were in direct combat with one another, Brathwaite clubbed Stokes for four successive sixes to win the final of the World T20. As it was, we had to wait until the 76th over of the third ODI of the series for Stokes to bowl at Brathwaite again, but the moment did not disappoint. Stokes' first delivery kept horribly low and cut back to strike Brathwaite on the pads. For unfathomable reasons, umpire Gregory Brathwaite (apparently no relation...) initially gave the batsman not out, though DRS ensured the right decision was reached eventually. It was, no doubt, a sweet moment for Stokes. But he would be the first to admit that a wicket in a dead-rubber ODI is no substitute for winning a global limited-overs trophy.
Blow of the day
It looked, for a while, as if Evin Lewis would play no further part in the match after the first hour. Having retrieved a Joe Root shot from the edge of the cover boundary, he lost his footing on the perimeter and, for a while, appeared to have knocked himself unconscious, but as his team-mates and the West Indies' physio gathered round him, it became apparent that he had sustained a blow to his left arm. After a delay of five minutes or so, Lewis gingerly got to his feet and left the playing area. It was some surprise when it was announced that he had sustained only bruising and was deemed fit to bat. Even so, the incident may prompt a review about the distance between the playing areas and permanent structures in international cricket.
It looked, for a while, as if Evin Lewis would play no further part in the match after the first hour. Having retrieved a Joe Root shot from the edge of the cover boundary, he lost his footing on the perimeter and, for a while, appeared to have knocked himself unconscious, but as his team-mates and the West Indies' physio gathered round him, it became apparent that he had sustained a blow to his left arm. After a delay of five minutes or so, Lewis gingerly got to his feet and left the playing area. It was some surprise when it was announced that he had sustained only bruising and was deemed fit to bat. Even so, the incident may prompt a review about the distance between the playing areas and permanent structures in international cricket.
Drop of the day
Root had made just 1 when he clipped Alzarri Joseph to midwicket. Lewis, who really didn't enjoy the happiest of days, had some ground to make but seemed just a little slow to realise he was going to have to dive forward to take the chance. He eventually did so but, despite first appearing to scoop the ball up an inch or so off the turf, he lost his grasp upon it as his elbows hit the ground. Root went on to make 101 and put on 192 in 30.3 overs with Alex Hales for the second wicket.
Root had made just 1 when he clipped Alzarri Joseph to midwicket. Lewis, who really didn't enjoy the happiest of days, had some ground to make but seemed just a little slow to realise he was going to have to dive forward to take the chance. He eventually did so but, despite first appearing to scoop the ball up an inch or so off the turf, he lost his grasp upon it as his elbows hit the ground. Root went on to make 101 and put on 192 in 30.3 overs with Alex Hales for the second wicket.
Review of the day
It seemed Hales might be denied a comeback century when he was adjudged by umpire Brathwaite to have been trapped leg before to the part-time offspinner Kraigg Brathwaite when he had scored 93. He reviewed straight away, though, perhaps believing he had got an edge on his attempted sweep, or thinking the ball, delivered from round the wicket, may have pitched outside leg stump. But replays and ball-tracking technology showed that, though the ball pitched in line and did not take the edge, it would have drifted past the off stump in the strong cross wind. Hales went on to record his fifth ODI century moments later.
It seemed Hales might be denied a comeback century when he was adjudged by umpire Brathwaite to have been trapped leg before to the part-time offspinner Kraigg Brathwaite when he had scored 93. He reviewed straight away, though, perhaps believing he had got an edge on his attempted sweep, or thinking the ball, delivered from round the wicket, may have pitched outside leg stump. But replays and ball-tracking technology showed that, though the ball pitched in line and did not take the edge, it would have drifted past the off stump in the strong cross wind. Hales went on to record his fifth ODI century moments later.
Record of the day
When Hales top-edged the sharp Joseph for six it brought him the fifth ODI century of his career in his 39th innings and 41st match. That meant he had reached five ODI hundreds quicker than any previous England player. David Gower (43 innings and 45 matches) was previously fastest.
When Hales top-edged the sharp Joseph for six it brought him the fifth ODI century of his career in his 39th innings and 41st match. That meant he had reached five ODI hundreds quicker than any previous England player. David Gower (43 innings and 45 matches) was previously fastest.
George Dobell is a senior correspondent at ESPNcricinfo. He will be covering England's tour of the Caribbean in association with Smile Group Travel, specialists in hosted supporters' packages.