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West Indies: Brandon King, Johnson Charles, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Roston Chase, Rovman Powell (capt), Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie
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A couple of changes for West Indies, as Roston Chase and Romario Shepherd return.
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England: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (capt & wk), Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Moeen Ali, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Adil Rashid, Reece Topley.
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Liam Livingstone has recovered from his stomach upset. One change with Mark Wood replacing Chris Jordan.
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Buttler calls correctly on what looks like a steamy St Lucia night
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“This is the part of the tournament you want to be at,” says Buttler, “it is going to be a great atmosphere, a game to be enjoyed.” Rovman Powell says he’d have bowled too but “it looks a very good pitch.”
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Hello night owl fumbling around in BST, hello St Lucian sun worshipper, hello everyone in between. Welcome to the second game of the Super Eights – still not a knockout – between the reigning champions, Butler’s Boys, and the hosts, and fellow two-time winners, West Indies.
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A quick reminder of what’s what in the Super Eights – India, Australia, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh (Group One) and West Indies, South Africa, England, and the USA (Group Two ) are the qualifiers.
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Teams play the other three teams in their group once, with the top two sides in each group qualifying for the semi-finals. South Africa pipped the USA in the first match in Antigua on Wednesday, and here we are now at the second.
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England’s journey to St Lucia has been angst-riven, threatened by rain, Australia and then rain again. West Indies on the other hand are rocking – four wins from four, against PNG, New Zealand, Uganda, and Afghanistan and the feeling that this campaign might be relighting a fire in the resident population. Ali Martin wrote a great piece on this, and Akeal Hosein, here:
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Play starts at 1.30am BST, the toss at 1am. See you then!
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Important Events
Hello, John Tagg from New York. “It was 97 degrees today, but it felt like 106.” Hmm.
“Let’s hope Butler can call the pitching changes well. Wisconsin probably won’t be as forgiving as Australia.”
Absolutely! Ali reminded us of Mark Wood’s arguably fastest return to the field in international cricket: “It was from the media centre side and it was a similar tailwind to the one we have tonight.”
England are training today at the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground in St Lucia, where five years ago Mark Wood literally went home with a giant cheque – a holiday ticket, really – as player of the game. pic.twitter.com/dFck5ep2SP
— Ali Martin (@Cricket_Ali) June 17, 2024
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England are training today at the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground in St Lucia, where five years ago Mark Wood literally went home with a giant cheque – a holiday ticket, really – as player of the game. pic.twitter.com/dFck5ep2SP
— Ali Martin (@Cricket_Ali) June 17, 2024
Pitch Black Night A strong wind blew England shirts around as the national anthem rang out. Long Live the Queen Before the exciting version of Rally around the West Indies.
Our Man on the Ground
Ali Martin
“Greetings from Saint Lucia It’s a hot night and there is already a great atmosphere in the stadium. Outside there is a great steel band playing hits by David Rudder and Nadia Batson and inside there is Party Soca (just Shazam them) blaring. The Windies had a big win against Afghanistan on Monday so Jos Buttler’s decision was a bit of a surprise. England are looking to hit the long tail tonight. The Windies are back in their strongest team of the first round. The crowd is up and we should be expecting some great play. Maybe we’ll see the first century scorer of the tournament.
Very touching email James Walsh, an old friend of OBO and the County Blog.
“It’s been a terrible night here. Thank you to our fantastic NHS as always but my dad has been so suddenly and very ill that he doesn’t think he may see the dawn so we’ll be holding a vigil and praying.”
“He doesn’t watch much cricket but he enjoys coming down to the Oval with his friend Chris to have a beer and make fun of John Major’s arrest.
“Maybe it’s a bit of a stretch for a cricket blog, but it doesn’t need to be published. I just wanted to say thank you for providing some comfort and diversion during a most difficult time.”
James, I send all the love in the world to you and your father and may Britain see you both safe tonight.”
Ian Bishop is taller than anyone else The wind is howling at Darren Sammy Stadium as Mark Wood hits the ball powerfully over his shoulder: “They rolled well. It’s very firm, the grass isn’t too long and there’s a bit of bounce compared to other Caribbean pitches around there. But it’s real bounce and batsmen can pull cut or drive.”
West Indies XI
West Indies: Brandon King, Johnson Charles, Nicholas Pooran (Weekend), Roston Chase, Rovman Powell (Captain), Andre Russell, Sharfaen Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Akeel Hosin, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Moti
West Indies made a few changes with the return of Roston Chase and Romario Shepherd.
England XI
England: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (captain & weekender), Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Moeen Ali, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Adil Rashid, Reece Topley.
Liam Livingstone has recovered from a stomach upset and Mark Wood comes on for Chris Jordan.
England win the toss and will bowl!
Butler makes the right call Like a muggy St. Lucia night.
“That’s the part of the tournament I’d love to see,” Butler said. “It’s going to be a great atmosphere and fun games.” Rovman Powell also wanted to pitch, but said, “The pitches look really good.”
“I’m looking forward to tonight.” An exuberant Steven Holiday said: “I’m in Toronto so the timing couldn’t be better. The kids will be asleep, I’ve got a few beers in the fridge and it’s pretty settled down. I’m expecting New England and not Morgan England so anything good would be a nice bonus. As long as the weather doesn’t get bad I think everything will be OK.”
“As a side note, I absolutely reserve the right to be furious when England’s brilliant start falls apart within two overs.
Ah, Cricket…”
Stephen, we are on your side! Good morning everyone. This is Nasser Hussain and Toth.
preamble
Hello, night owls fumbling around with BST, Hello sun worshippers in St Lucia and everyone in between. Welcome to the second match of the Super Eight – not yet a knockout, but a match between reigning champions Butler’s Boys and hosts, the West Indies, who are also two-time winners.
To briefly recap the Super Eights, the qualifying teams are India, Australia, Afghanistan, Bangladesh (Group 1), West Indies, South Africa, England and the USA (Group 2).
Each team will play each of the other three teams in their group once, with the top two from each group advancing to the semi-finals. South Africa beat the United States in the first match on Wednesday in Antigua and are now playing their second match.
England’s trip to St Lucia was fraught with uncertainty, threatened by rain, Australia and then more rain. Meanwhile the West Indies are in fine form, with four straight wins over Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Uganda and Afghanistan, and there is a feeling that this campaign may reignite the hearts of the people. Ali Martin has written a great piece on this, and so has Akeel Hosin here.
The match kicks off at 1:30am BST with the toss taking place at 1am BST. See you soon!
