Finn tons up and Stokes drops a clanger
Plays of the day from the second ODI between West Indies and England in Antigua
George Dobell in Antigua
05-Mar-2017
Ben Stokes holds his head in his hands after a rare dropped catch • AFP
The milestone
When Steven Finn dismissed Kieran Powell via a top-edged pull that ballooned back to the bowler it made him the tenth England bowler to claim 100 ODI wickets. He became the third-fastest, too, in terms of games played, behind Stuart Broad and Darren Gough, who both reached the milestone in 62 ODIs. This was Finn's 67th ODI, which means it took him the same amount of games as Joel Garner (the record is held by Mitchell Starc, who only took 52). Only Andrew Flintoff has a better strike rate of England bowlers to have achieved the record. All of which renders his absence from the side - before this series, Finn had not played ODI cricket since September 2015 - all the more puzzling.
When Steven Finn dismissed Kieran Powell via a top-edged pull that ballooned back to the bowler it made him the tenth England bowler to claim 100 ODI wickets. He became the third-fastest, too, in terms of games played, behind Stuart Broad and Darren Gough, who both reached the milestone in 62 ODIs. This was Finn's 67th ODI, which means it took him the same amount of games as Joel Garner (the record is held by Mitchell Starc, who only took 52). Only Andrew Flintoff has a better strike rate of England bowlers to have achieved the record. All of which renders his absence from the side - before this series, Finn had not played ODI cricket since September 2015 - all the more puzzling.
The drop
Ben Stokes has a well-deserved reputation as one of England's best fielders. So it was a major surprise when he was unable to cling on to what appeared to be a relatively simple chance at midwicket offered when Kraigg Brathwaite, on 41, mistimed a pull off Finn. Perhaps Stokes lost track of the ball in the sun, or perhaps he was deceived by the strong wind blowing across the ground but, instead of taking the ball cleanly, he sustained a blow on the second finger of his right hand which obliged him to leave the field for treatment. While that briefly raised the possibility that it could be 'the most expensive drop in history' - in financial terms, bearing in mind his IPL deal, rather than runs conceded as a consequence (Brathwaite for out for 42 in the next over) - Stokes soon returned to the field and was able to resume bowling.
Ben Stokes has a well-deserved reputation as one of England's best fielders. So it was a major surprise when he was unable to cling on to what appeared to be a relatively simple chance at midwicket offered when Kraigg Brathwaite, on 41, mistimed a pull off Finn. Perhaps Stokes lost track of the ball in the sun, or perhaps he was deceived by the strong wind blowing across the ground but, instead of taking the ball cleanly, he sustained a blow on the second finger of his right hand which obliged him to leave the field for treatment. While that briefly raised the possibility that it could be 'the most expensive drop in history' - in financial terms, bearing in mind his IPL deal, rather than runs conceded as a consequence (Brathwaite for out for 42 in the next over) - Stokes soon returned to the field and was able to resume bowling.
The review
Jason Roy is increasingly looking like the most dangerous batsman in this side. So when Jason Holder saw his strong appeal for a caught-behind dismissal turned down by umpire Nigel Duguid (on his ODI debut) before Roy had scored, it was understandable that he should utilise West Indies' review. Without Ultra Edge, though, West Indies were asking the TV umpire, Ruchira Palliyaguruge, to overrule on limited evidence. And while replays showed what might have been some deviation - the angle of the seam of the ball appeared to change a little - and the stump microphone picked up a noise that could have been the edge and could have been a stud on the pitch, there was nothing definitive that convinced him to change the decision. It is understood that Ultra Edge technology would have cost around USD10,000 for the series but the WICB and host broadcaster, who between them would have had to pay for it, went for the budget option as the ICC does not, at present, demand the standardisation of DRS protocols. Roy went on to score a rapid half-century that took England a long way towards victory.
Jason Roy is increasingly looking like the most dangerous batsman in this side. So when Jason Holder saw his strong appeal for a caught-behind dismissal turned down by umpire Nigel Duguid (on his ODI debut) before Roy had scored, it was understandable that he should utilise West Indies' review. Without Ultra Edge, though, West Indies were asking the TV umpire, Ruchira Palliyaguruge, to overrule on limited evidence. And while replays showed what might have been some deviation - the angle of the seam of the ball appeared to change a little - and the stump microphone picked up a noise that could have been the edge and could have been a stud on the pitch, there was nothing definitive that convinced him to change the decision. It is understood that Ultra Edge technology would have cost around USD10,000 for the series but the WICB and host broadcaster, who between them would have had to pay for it, went for the budget option as the ICC does not, at present, demand the standardisation of DRS protocols. Roy went on to score a rapid half-century that took England a long way towards victory.
The edge
Having seen Sam Billings taken in the slips from the second ball of the innings, Shannon Gabriel found the edge of Joe Root's bat just three deliveries later. This time, though, with Powell standing barely two yards inside the 30-yard fielding circle and the slow pitch sucking the pace out of the delivery, the ball dropped just short of the fielder. Root, scoreless at the time, went on to make 90 not out - easily the highest score of the match - and help England to a four-wicket victory.
Having seen Sam Billings taken in the slips from the second ball of the innings, Shannon Gabriel found the edge of Joe Root's bat just three deliveries later. This time, though, with Powell standing barely two yards inside the 30-yard fielding circle and the slow pitch sucking the pace out of the delivery, the ball dropped just short of the fielder. Root, scoreless at the time, went on to make 90 not out - easily the highest score of the match - and help England to a four-wicket victory.
The injury
For the second game in succession, Gabriel's first spell troubled the England batsman with its pace and control. But when he was forced off the pitch with a side strain after just three overs, it left Holder with a huge problem. His spinners bowled splendidly but Carlos Brathwaite struggled to sustain the pressure and, when he was recalled with 58 required from 13 overs, he conceded 10 from his first over back. With part-time offspinner Kraigg Brathwaite bowling at the over end, Gabriel's absence made life considerably more comfortable for England than might have been the case.
For the second game in succession, Gabriel's first spell troubled the England batsman with its pace and control. But when he was forced off the pitch with a side strain after just three overs, it left Holder with a huge problem. His spinners bowled splendidly but Carlos Brathwaite struggled to sustain the pressure and, when he was recalled with 58 required from 13 overs, he conceded 10 from his first over back. With part-time offspinner Kraigg Brathwaite bowling at the over end, Gabriel's absence made life considerably more comfortable for England than might have been the case.
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.